Dealing with elderly parent while on the road

Go Water-Bug, Go! My Old Mom (which is how I refer to her pre-illness, a lovely lady, great mom) implored me to go see the world, too. My Sick Mom (post-illness, not so lovely) didn't really know the difference anymore, but gave me guilt like yours. We'd go away for weeks at a time and return with huge guilt and she didn't even know we'd been gone (in a nursing home after a very bad stroke at the the time). So after a while we started to venture farther and longer. Still she didn't seem to know the difference in terms of time gone.

Go live your life! Your mom gave you her blessing when she was your Old Mom and that's what she wished for you! And there are not always second chances. Do it while you can.

Wishes to you for stress-free, happy travel! (And you can always fly home, if need be.)