I want to go on a cross-country tour but my job is a major factor on deciding to do it. I would need 10 weeks to make the trip. I'm in my mid-fifties and my job is the best job I have ever had in my life. With the economy and unemployment the way it is, I simply cannot risk losing it. It's easier to drop everything and just go when you are younger (I've done it)...you have more time to make up for having done so. The HR department where I work asked the question to my supervisor, "If he can be away for that long, why do we need him?" Unless I get some sort of guarantee about my job I think I will have to wait until I have the time out of circumstance. No point shooting myself in the foot.