Update on Bob the Navigator
 

Hi everyone. I know that some people have been wondering about the conspicuous absence of Bob the Nav on this board in recent weeks, and I wanted to give you all a brief update on his present situation.

First off, Bob is alive and kicking, taking it easy and watching a lot of football (as usual) and driving the Amazing Susan nuts (as usual). But he has been slowed by the effects of a stroke he suffered back in September, along with the ongoing symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Either one of those things can be tough to take, but they can be especially challenging in tandem.

Bob's getting the very best of care, and he's shown some decent progress with his therapy. These things take time, but he does plan to contribute again to the Fodors community as soon as he is able. Bob's not the sort to stay quiet for long.

Please forgive me and ms_go for not saying anything sooner, but Bob's a guy who values his privacy and we didn't want to say anything till things had stabilized into a regular routine. Which they now have.

If you want to say hi or offer a word of encouragement, I feel confident that he'll see and read this thread.

Thanks for the update.

I miss Bob's always-excellent suggestions.

Hope to see you back on Fodors soon, Bob.

Stu Dudley

I'm so sorry to hear this. I hope he recovers quickly. He is truly a travel inspiration to many of us. I know I learned so much over the years from him. I hope he has many more years on this forum to share his knowledge and travel sense. Give him my best. Isabel

I wish him all the best. I've always read and benefited from his great travel posts. I hope he makes it back to Fodors soon!

Bob; Get well soon and I will be waiting for your comments on Fodor's.
Richard

Hi Bob, I was just reading a report from you regarding travel in northern Italy. My regards to you as you continue your therapy. It takes time but your O.T. AND P.T. will help you so much. Hang in there.

OMG -- I'm sure this is not the journey that Bob had hoped to make his next! I wish him and his family the best as they navigate these times -- and I trust he will do very well, as he is an excellent navigator!

I made a decision to make Fodor's "my" travel board back in 2006, when I was planning a trip to southern Italy. I made that decision in part because of what I had already read of Bob's advice. So when I posted my first Fodor's planning thread, I was delighted to find that he was the first to respond. :-) Of course, he noted that my traveling style is very different than his (he's right about that! ;-) ), but he didn't challenge it -- he just offered some very helpful comments. It was a very kind, gentle, and informative introduction to Fodor's, and one for which I remain very grateful.

I look forward to benefitting from his wonderful insights in the future.

And thanks, mr_go, for sharing this information, and for the discretion that you and ms_go showed in delaying this message until the time was right.

Best wishes, BobtheNavigator!

Hope you are better very soon, Bob. We need you here!

Greetings Bob,

As Fodorites we have enjoyed so many of your excellent posts. Your tips have helped plan so many trips.

Now it's our turn to help you plan your trip to recovery and more adventures.

Carry on, we wish you the best and expect to hear from you soon.

Best wishes for a complete recovery, Bob.

And thanks for posting this update, mr_go.

Oh my goodness. Wishing all the best to Bob and the Amazing Susan!

Bob, I'm looking forward to seeing new posts from you after this detour. You are missed!

So sorry to read this. Only good thoughts going his way.

Bob, best wishes for your continued improvement. I know we all hope to see you back on the boards soon! You are surely missed!

I am so sorry to hear about Bob's "derailment". I have read many of his posts and found them very balanced and helpful. I look forward to reading his posts again...

In the meantime, I pray he continues to make progress and continues to
drive The Amazing Susan crazy .... a definite sign of getting better!

All the best,
Travelnaia

Bob, sending good thoughts your way. Work hard on your PT and we look forward to your return here. Also thinking of Susan. You have helped so many and are appreciated by your fellow posters here at Fodors Forums.

I think it was 1998 when I "met" Bob the N on Fodors. In my very first Fodors post I asked a question about finding gelato in Italy. Bob responded with awesome information, and he's been my "go to" person for the very best suggestions whenever we've gone to Italy. We've happily stayed in several places he recommended.

Hope you're soon back to Fodor's, Bob, sharing your wealth of travel knowledge. Wishing you the speediest recovery.

Thank you, mr_go for posting.

Bob, I am so sorry to hear of your health issues and hope you have a speedy recovery. We need your wisdom here!

Oh no,

Bob, best wishes.

Hugs to all including Mrs Bob and Mr Go

Bob,

I hope you a very speedy recovery, you are one of the good guys on this board.

Looking forward to Bob's return to the fray - the sooner, the better.

Best wishes.

Don't know Bob that well since I'm still quite new here on Fodors.

Glad to read that he stabilized, that's good news and best news is that he is fighting back with an intact spirit.

Will be happy to read more from Bob the Navigator.

Hoping Bob will be able to get back on the road soon and provide all of us more useful guidance!

Thanks for posting this update. Bob, I hope you are back to posting in short order. I have always appreciated all the advice and info you so willingly share.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Bob the Navigator! I hope you feel better soon! Best to you too, mr_ and ms_go. We are on our way home from Crete, and once again, your hotels were perfect! Thank you!

Bob, we miss you and hope for your speedy recovery and return to the board. We need a wise and experienced travel counselor such as you have always been.

Dearest Bob, thinking of you as you fight this challenge. The most important thing when illness strikes: surround yourself with those who love you, and thank them sincerely for their love, care, and devotion. God's caregivers are the angels of the living world. Treat them with TLC, as you wish to be treated. You are in my prayers.

Greetings from St-Cirq, Bob! Wishing you all the best and eager to see you once again on Fodors.

Yo Bob....I wish you the very best outcomes....I'm certain you'll work at it like you planned your trips. Impeccably.

You and I compared so many notes over the years, staying at many of the same places and voicing some of the same travel opinions. Your suggestions always took first place with me.

Ya gotta keep on truckin' Bob..if there was ever an ANCHOR MAN for Fodors, you're it!!!

Stu Tower

Sending you all my wishes for a speedy recovery.

I learned very early on that you are one of the true "good guys", always sharing so generously and knowledgeably.

Sending healing thoughts your way, Bob.

Over the years, I have benefitted from your sage travel advice. How I have appreciated your extensive knowledge which you have shared so generously with me and others on this forum.

Best wishes to you.

Wishing you and your family the very best and thanks for all the stellar advice over the years. Looking forward to seeing you back here soon.

I'm not often going to Europe but making two trips in the next few months. Back when I was going, Bob's posts and direct advice was always spot on . . . and he is always so nice. I am glad I checked in today or I would have missed this post.

Thank you for letting us know and I will pray for Bob and Susan.

Bob, you are missed here and hopefully you will be back soon.

Sandy (in Denton)

Like many others, Bob's trip reports and travel advice has enhanced many of our trips to Italy. I knew him first at SlowTravel and will confess to the pleasure of meeting him and his lovely wife at a gathering in Savannah. Sending them both best wishes and good thoughts on his recovery trail.

Hoping Bob is back on track again ASAP. Best thoughts to Susan and the go's as well.

Hi Bob,

sorry to hear that you've been under the weather and hope you'll feel up to coming back to us soon - we've missed you!

best wishes

Ann

Reading this has made me very happy - we always worry when we haven't heard from online friends so thank you mr_go for taking the time to update us.

Bob, you can see from all the comments how valued you are here and I add my voice to those who wish you a speedy recovery. You are one of the good ones and we miss you. xo

Thanks to all for your well-wishes...I am certain that Bob appreciates it tremendously.

F1: I knew you'd love that place in Chania.

Bob, I wish you all the best and hope you're back to posting soon. I've benefited from your great travel advice on Italy as so many others have.

Bob, my very best wishes for you and Susan. I too have missed
seeing your kind advice. I hope to see you back here soon.