My Vacations

Baños de Santa Agua!

2012-01-11T18:39:00.000-05:00

Courtesy WikiMedia.

The only reason I choose Baños is because you need neither heat nor air conditioning there. Travelers report the wonderful weather, friendly natives, and natural hot springs. What they fail to mention in much detail is the local volcano and that Ecuador is a volcanic country. They also fail to report on the conservative Christian culture and government. While it's lost some of it's charm for me (including the myths about cheap and/or free housing*) I still would like to visit. And right now would be nice.

*A search on airbnb turned up only really expensive places to stay. None of them in Baños.

Bahamas! Anytime!

2011-10-12T21:15:00.000-04:00

Such a deal! It hurts to be penniless.

Where shall I go? Follow the river ...

2011-08-04T20:43:00.000-04:00

Not sure where I would go if I were allowed a vacation right this minute to anyplace I wanted to go. Probably I would stay here. With someone I love. And we would laze about and pick at the things that need doing here. And we would do them with whimsy and lack-a-daisicalness. Splotching and poking and gathering and winnowing and toodling and doodling. Nothing would be serious except our love. And we would be happy making this our home for those springs and autumns that are heaven in Richmond VA.

If I have to choose, and I know I must or I wouldn't be writing this, I would choose Maine or Northern Idaho or possibly Seattle or maybe even Bandon by the sea in Oregon. All lovely cool places. No. Wait! I have it! Germany! Back to my home town of Höchst in Hessen. To visit relatives and relations. To relish the cool misty days and warm connections. Yes. That's it.

The house will have to wait.

A Vacation Out of This World!

2011-04-22T14:33:00.000-04:00

What a great way to get away from it all! All I need is $200,000 and a way to get to all the VIP events. Let's both go. I'm sure we can come up with a mutually enriching barter.

Or you can work your way there by applying to be a space pilot.

Wealthy Spirit - Just what I NEED!

2011-01-23T08:17:00.000-05:00

This lovely retreat is right up my aisle, along my path, in my way, and what I need. Especially, as I am always saying, at this time of year when I wake up to a house that's 62 degrees and relies on the fireplace and a rising sun to make it warmer. All day I strive to raise the temperature to a toasty 68 so I can avoid dipping deeper into cold overnight and thus, as the days of winter pass, avoid freezing my assets off. Let's both go – you and I – while the sun is anesthetized in the sky to visit the heat where it hides.

And, oh, yes, to deepen my spirituality. Which is where the "rich" comes in. (This has nothing to do with the reasonable fee or the fact that I am only a 12-hour flight from Bali.)

Dancing in the Dark

2010-11-18T12:27:00.002-05:00

Lots of dancing in the dark in lots of lovely romantic places. Maybe even some moonlit woodsy options and a few mountain tops. This is what I need right now. Perhaps a SL vacation is just the ticket. There are certainly tons of available and willing partners.

Song of the Moment: Dancing in the Dark - The Look of Love

Improving your photography while sight-seeing in the Nation's Capital

2010-08-19T09:18:00.001-04:00

This is a sort of cross-over post. I could easily add it to "Just Another Artist" but I won't. Mostly it's a vacation to Washington DC. Yes! For a mere couple of thou and a laptop you too can sit at the feet of the National Geographic wizards and learn to create exciting photos of stuff we all look at every day. While I would love the luxury of joining this expeditionary workshop, I believe the money could be much better spent on a semester-long professional photography class. After all, this workshop teaches you how to put the NG spin on your work, not how to improve your personal vision.

Been There - Would Like to Go Back

2010-07-20T08:21:00.000-04:00

Feeling nostalgic for the canal boat trip I took in the 80's. The boats have changed a bit but the canals are the same. A few things stand out in my memory: the Wedgewood Visitors Center and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (breathtaking and frightening – my first and only case of fear of heights). I suppose I should also mention my two pre-schoolers and the fact that I was pregnant. The country side was lovely. Nothing is better than finding a pub on its good day at the end of a canal drive. I still have the hand painted slate coasters I got on that trip.

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Yoga: The Luxurious Path

2010-02-15T10:05:00.000-05:00

Ah, yes! I need this break so badly. I'm incredibly out of shape from forgoing too many daily walks while snowed in. I'm also feeling just a touch of isolation. Going away to an exclusive resort with fellow yoga buffs is perfect! Let's go together!

From the Middle of Richmond to the Middle of Nowhere

2009-12-08T10:32:00.005-05:00

Out of here to another place entirely. While trying to see how long it would take me to drive to a buddhist sangha in Durham, NC, I looked at the ocean and wondered just how far Google earth would take the whole drive yourself thing. I panned over the Atlantic, looking for Europe and got distracted by some tiny dots in the middle of the water. Turns out those dots are the Azores (named after a once plentiful bird).

On the island of Terceira (about the middle of the dots) is this lovely hotel, Hotel do Caracol. They have a New Year's Eve package going right now, which looks like fun. And they also offer "Wellness" options, such as a nice hot volcanic stone massage, "floating in emotion", and a special version of tai chi. I'm there. I'm totally there. Just send me your credit card.

Hiking in the Wild; Relaxing in Natural Luxury

2009-09-08T17:13:00.005-04:00

What could be better than natural luxury? A lovely hot spring under the night sky is great and even better after a 17m "moderately challenging hike." Too bad it's in New Zealand. Take me there! I promise I'll be good for the rest of my life.

A Real Vacation

2009-07-10T10:11:00.004-04:00

Next week I'll be spending a few days in Coralla NC, part of the Outer Banks vacation area. Even though we have Virginia Beach close by, many from the Richmond area seem to end up at the Outer Banks (if the number of OBX stickers on cars is any indication). I'll be staying in one of those beach rentals with my mother and visiting my son and his family. Hopefully I will get a lot of sun – not that I've had a lack of it this year, yet more is always good. Hopefully I will get to lay on the beach and do some salt water swimming.

Take a Giving Vacation

2009-06-11T08:01:00.002-04:00

And you will give. But you'll also get: language learning, exotic travel, unique experiences. Have a lot of money and time? Try this.

Run, Run, Run, Run ... run away

2009-02-03T09:12:00.003-05:00

Time to run away to the Greek Isles. Yes. Oh yes. The best thing to do when one is unemployed is take a long vacation very far away. I'm accepting all donations.

why I don't travel

2008-10-19T08:36:00.005-04:00

Why do we travel? Except for today, when it would be no trouble at all to pick up and go somewhere, I don't travel because it's annoying. But some days, like today, I want to be elsewhere absorbed in something entirely different and I don't want to be working like doing volunteer work or anything. Just out somewhere like maybe the Tivoli or a festival somewhere like Burning Man or maybe Oktoberfest, you know, absorbed by the crush of life. That's where I'd like to be today. So, send me a ticket and let's go!

I wondered how that Times story (the link above) got made and realized they probably had a ton of travel photos and stories lying around and put them all together. I should try that sometime. Not that I have professional bits and pieces lying about but I suppose I could come up with a theme related to whatever stuff I've got around here. But not today. Today I am going to do something completely different – as soon as that ticket you got for me gets here.

Song of the Day: Would you go with me?

Away to Ireland

2008-09-10T07:50:00.003-04:00

Intrigued by the choice of Aer Lingus as an airline I checked out their offerings. Sleeping in castles doesn't appeal to me. They are so large and drafty and you can't really touch anything. It's all the wrong atmosphere for relaxing. Instead, I've chosen the do-it-yourself Northern Route Package. My relatives are from around that part of the country, so it would have some meaning for me. Plus I've heard the Emerald Isle is, in fact, really green and I'd like to see that. And the pubs. Good place to be in the rain.

I can't go now. The next eight weeks the only place to be is Richmond VA. If you are ever here in the fall you will never leave. It's absolutely lovely. So, in November or maybe next summer (during high season, of course! best time for an air vacation – maybe in August) I will be free to take up Aer Lingus on their offer.

A Vacation With a Lot of Space

2008-08-17T09:09:00.002-04:00

If I won the lottery and had some cash I needed to unload, I would buy myself a seat on Virgin Atlantic's new space plane. Yeah, I could dig it. Up in space for a minute or two (longer would be better) without having to wear that dreadful suit.

It's that time again

2008-08-02T08:23:00.002-04:00

Time to go to someplace cold in my mind. Well, not a cold thought, a cold air vacation, of course. Today it's Banff. Yes, the romance capital of the world ... NOT! Mountains, cool dry air, pampering and hanging out – what could be better? Having someone else pay for and plan it. So, where are you?

Today's quote from "Spruch Des Tages" widget (translated): The shortest distance between two salaries is a vacation.

Cold when it's hot hot hot

2008-07-24T11:51:00.003-04:00

Today's trip involves skiing in Zermatt or maybe bumming around the Matterhorn. Do they offer tubing? That might be cool. Check out the "extra camera" for genuine winter shots. Just what I need to escape the oven of Richmond.

Today's Vacation: Indiana Jones Adventure sites

2008-05-09T06:57:00.004-04:00

The Nepal sector of Indiana Jones, where he finds Marion, a medallion and, of course, trouble. It's nothing for Indy! Well, maybe it was something, but he didn't let that stop him.

This Expedia trip is rated 4 dots on the trip style – it's Independent with a guide. That's me alright. I'm sure I'll have to do a little readjusting of the itinerary. An elephant ride, river rafting, a temple, all in 11 days. That's a bit much when what I really want to see is the scenery and the spirituality. So, the temple, the trekking and the Katmandu valley tour will be it for me.

I'm looking forward to the return of Indy. Even if he is an old geezer, he's way ahead of whatever young geezer is in second place.

C'Mon Cayman

2008-01-21T10:33:00.000-05:00

Yes, it's time for another air vacation. Not, of course, one enabled by air travel, but more in the vein of air guitar. Air vacation. And today's choice is the Grand Cayman Islands. Go there now! Click above, then click on the video link.

This is always better than working. Although I'm not really digging the whole family scene thing. It's all about me, don't you know.

Air road-trip to Santa Monica State Beach

2007-09-30T12:54:00.000-04:00

It's a wonderful day in Richmond VA. I feel absolutely fabulous. The sun is shining. It's about 74 degrees. It's Sunday!! Everyone feels great and looks great. If you ever feel like visiting Richmond, now through the end of October is the time to be here. Best time of the year all Richmonders agree. Except maybe for those who like paddling in the James. They might prefer August.

Anyway! I feel I could drive forever. So why not take a little drive to Santa Monica State Beach? It's a lovely place and the weather is supposed to be sunny all week. Woo hoo! (SM is "B" in the map. You can zoom all the way in on satellite view. It's almost like being there!)

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Rand McNally tells me the fastest driving route takes 39 hours and 40 minutes. I would drive through Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Stop right there. I would be really close to Wichita where my son lives with his family so I would have to stop off for a couple of days. That's okay. I have all week. Before that I may need to take a couple of hours in Mt. Rogers State Park (in Virginia) because the view is fabulous.

Back in the car until I come to Albuquerque where I would stop for one day to try to locate (again) the scrap of land I own somewhere near Belin. I tried to actually see it once but couldn't find it because I forgot to bring the plat. Oh well. One scrap of desert is much like another.

Then on again through Arizona. Wonder if this takes me anywhere close to Sedona? Seems to be all the rage this year. After which there would be a straight shot to the beach (more or less). I would stay at the Sofitel in Hollywood because it has a weird name even though it's not really near Santa Monica.

In Santa Monica it would be nice to check out the beach amenities, stroll along the sidewalk to the various picnic areas (no barbecuing!) and perhaps play on the gym at Muscle Beach.

Back in reality, there is a beach less than two hours from here. I'm not going today. There's also some lovely mountains not far but I'm not going there either. I'm going to walk the dog to the dog park and do some more home improvement. That is, if I don't pull out a reclining lawn chair and sit out back in the sun and read a book.

time for an air vacation

2007-07-13T14:21:00.000-04:00

Time to get away from this life and take a hike. Well, if I lived in Jamaica I could. Probably better to visit. If I lived there I'd also be working there. Terrible bummer.

My Vacation Experience in Cancun

2007-05-02T20:23:00.000-04:00

My second day back to work I could hear the waves, smell the salt and feel the sun on my head and in my eyes as I sat in my office cubicle. It was almost perfect recall of being in Cancun. Then there were the uneven, irregular surfaces of the patched sea walls and coral islands filling my brain and making me weave a bit in my chair. God, but it was lovely. Being all-inclusive had something to do with it, too. No worries.

The Hotetur Beach Paradise is one of the Mexican Hotetur chain. When I told various assistants where it was, I had to use a lot of variations on Beach Paradise, Hotetur, Beach Paradise Hotetur, and Hotetur Beach Paradise. At the airport they called it by it's old name and the pre-Wilma sign is still solidly there and all lit up. It was definitely the cleanest hotel I ever visited. I didn't think about how much work went into that until I began to notice how the floors were never littered or how the glass in the elevator was never smeared and the lobby windows were always clean. My mother sat in the lobby once and watched a fallen tissue. Within ten minutes after it was dropped a security man picked it up followed by a maintenance man who brought a mop and bucket and washed the floor. Yet none of this was oppressive or invasive.

The food was as good as in any fine restaurant in the US. There was a lot of variety. The servers were always friendly and ready to help in any way. Once they learned my mother preferred the window tables they brought her there every time. If one wasn't available, they took us to a table as close to the windows as possible with a view unobstructed by pillars. The windows filled the top half of the outer wall so really you could sit anywhere and look out.

The buffets were well stocked and never ran out of anything. One of my mother's favorites was having the cook make a fresh fruit drink to order in the blender. My favorite was Yasmina (some kind of fruit drink - don't know the spelling) which I wish I had discovered sooner.

The beach was lovely and directly at the edge of the hotel. There were stairs down to the water but that wasn't a problem for me or anyone else I could see. I suspect the height of the hotel was probably for protection. After Wilma only half of the beach is left. The wind blew almost constantly, but, unlike on Ocracoke, it didn't send sand into my eyes. How is that? Do they make special rules about the wind in Cancun?

We did some shopping and got a massage. Then we went snorkeling on the world's second largest reef. I overhead a man calling it "a real Mexican experience." We ended up with Reef Adventures in a small boat that seated 15. Before they let us in we had to sit in the restaurant area and get a lecture on the fragility of the reef and how protected it was and not to touch it - ever. We also got out flippers and snorkel equipment at that time.

Once we were all equipped we got into the boat. Then came the Mexican part. The engine wouldn't start. The other passengers were taking it calmly but I don't think they understood the ominous sound that told me the battery was two more attempts from dying. When a turn of the key brought no sound at all, the captain had his brother, Julio, swim over to a nearby boat, lift the battery and carry it over his head to us. This battery was definitely dead. Now the captain, Jerry (his professional name, I'm sure) removed the cover on the outboard. Still no panic from the others. I prepared myself mentally for returning to shore. I heard one woman saying, "It is what it is." Jerry tried a joke, "It's not far. You can swim!" Some of us laughed.

Returning to the engine (muttering "impossible" under his breath), Jerry pulled out the fuse. Aha! Julio was dispatched to procure a new one. My mother felt sorry for Julio having to keep jumping into the water but I envied him. The new fuse didn't work so another man appeared with yet another fuse. This one worked and (after getting Julio back on board) we left. A 10 minute ride brought us to the first part of the reef. Julio jumped in with a white life preserver and we were instructed to follow him. This was more difficult than it appeared as the current was strong and there were about 4 other boat loads of snorkelers in the area (all with their own "flag" - one a deflated white ball). I ended joining another tour at one point but soon was put straight. After 40 minutes of fabulous views of fish and coral we were called back on board (those of us still out). We moved to another part of the reef and I was glad to see ours was the only boat there. All the snorkelers had made the fish skittish at the first location.

Julio jumped over again holding his white preserver. Everyone just sat there. I was fully kitted up and ready to go so I jumped. I later learned that one woman didn't make it past the first few minutes at the first stop claiming her mask leaked (my mother suspected she wasn't interested to begin with but just came with her partner). Another lasted about 10 minutes and kept repeating she had been in a wedding with bad shoes and had blisters on her toes. Three more followed me but I wasn't aware of them. Having lost Julio the first time I was determined to keep up this time. There was no current in this area so it was much easier. Also, I became good friends with my flippers and could zoom along without thinking about them. In fact, they worked better when I didn't think about them.

Julio pulled up a conch so we could look at it. It was retracted and the part I could see looked like a dark, red snail but worth seeing anyway. He also pointed out a fish disguised as the sea bed by shooing it around. And he showed us some interesting fish lurking in the holes of the coral.

The trip back to shore was uneventful. Lunch was not quite the all-you-can-eat buffet that was advertised. But I didn't care. There was a black bean mash, fresh homemade flour tortillas, fish in poblano sauce (guessing) and other Mexican food accoutrements. I suppose we could have made pigs of ourselves but the servers looked like they needed the food a whole lot more than we did and everyone was careful not to take very much. There was beer (and other things) for drinking. I believe Sol tastes much better in Mexico than it does anywhere else.

The last day my mother and I took the bus back to a shop at Market 28 in downtown Cancun. We had seen it previously on the shopping tour. Mistake. We should have called a tour guide to drive us. The Market 28 bus stopped 3 blocks from the market. Market 28 is huge. I think it covers at least four city blocks and has four official entrances. Unfortunately, after asking three people the way we ended up at the wrong entrance. It was so hot we had to take a break in an Oxxo convenience store with a bottle of cold water. Fortunately we found the right entrance and the shop pretty quickly and made our purchases. At that point, my mother was ready to pay any price the taxi driver asked but we weren't that heat crazed. Before getting in we agreed on $14, or rather he said "$14" and she said, "Okay!" The taxi drivers were actually quite well organized. The cab was uncluttered and the air conditioning was terrific. The queue was organized and an administrator of some type showed us to our cab.

At 4 am we woke up to a guy who couldn't be bothered to do a damn thing for us. Roberto. Avoid him if you visit this hotel. All he's interested in is the hotel's high speed internet access and cutting off arm bands.

The airport at 5:30 am is full of birds. I thought at first that there were loudspeakers blaring some kind of jungle sound track. Then I realized that the trees were full of birds all chirping as loudly as they possibly could. I was amazed. Since our box lunches from the hotel were like some elementary school nightmare (white bread with crusts cut off, three layers of bread and a couple of slices of ham and cheese) we ditched them for fresh pastries and hot coffee at the cafe before the security check point. Nice cafe.

I'm not going to share the whole security plane trip thing. But I must tell you that you can't tell from my passport that I'm back in the USA. Weird.

I'm thinking of driving to Virginia Beach this weekend to get another hit of salt water and snorkeling. But the $800 I just paid to get my car fixed may be a slight barrier. oh well. .. I did have this really great week.

My Next Vacation and Alternate Reality

2007-03-21T06:26:00.000-04:00

It finally happened: an all-expense paid vacation to Cancun. Woo hoo! I'll be there at the end of April. I can't be pleased though. It still involves planning and traveling and wondering if I'll look okay in a bathing suit. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

I feel so trivial in my pursuits. I just read a bunch of stories about the weekend of anti-war protests. Many comparisons were made to the Vietnam protests. Mention was made of how more subdued protesters are these days. Maybe one day we'll actually get around to talking out our differences. Mention was also made of how protesters were careful not to have their march construed as anti-troops. Good thing. What these protests lacked in numbers they made up for in internationality. I don't remember Madrid protesting the Vietnam war.

I stay away from masses of people. They tend to get unruly. If I had the where withal I would be subsidizing anti-war effort and quite possibly Bush impeachment. The guy has got to go. I was very disappointed to hear Hillary Clinton talk about keeping troops in Iraq/Iran. I had such hopes. Which only goes to show that the disease is deeper than the President. It's entrenched and rotten. There is a high stink in Denmark. Do I smell Bushgate?

Speaking of alternate reality, that's my whole life. I purposefully ignore the news. Still I'm amazed at how little air and space the weekend protests have received. There was nothing about it on the morning TV news and the newspapers carried one, maybe two, stories with not much detail and few photos. Seems kind of like a phenomenon to me when thousands of people world wide rise up on the same day to protest a criminal act and then keep doing it for days. Seems to me there would be more coverage. But what do I know? I live in an alternate reality.

I learned to live in this reality while living in Lebabnon during the 1983 portion of the civil wars. Well, actually some foreign countries were involved like Syria and the United States. There was a dearth of information. There was intermittent electricity and running water. But mostly what got me started on not listening to the news is being part of a conversation among us homemakers one quiet day (read: no shelling). A friend and I were visiting her friend (both ex-pats of Europe). My friend asked, "Are you optimistic?" This was always the question. Well, that and "Do you think it will be quiet today?" or some such variation. Her friend said, "Yes. I am very optimistic." How can you be that way, my friend inquired. "I have stopped listening to the news," she said. Which was a real aha moment for me. Of course the news is mostly depressing. It's always about crap happening and people doing lousy stuff to each other. It gives the wrong focus. I thought she had something there. When you could get reliable news in Lebanon (not slanted by whatever side was reporting) it was generally all about how much ammunition was lofted by whom and how many were killed and the extent of the damage to structures and how important they were. Very depressing. During the fighting there was no other news. Entertainers still entertained and performed better than usual, children still went to school (sometimes), homes were built, couples married. Yet none of this stuff made news. It was all shooting and death. Well, there was the depressing state of the shops: little merchandise, most of it dusty. With no work except killing who had money?

Anyway, I prefer my alternate reality. It's more hopeful and positive. I don't think I'm an ostrich with my head in the sand. I like to think of myself as noticing an alternate reality and living in it.

Back Again, yet thinking of leaving

2007-02-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

I've just finished making sure my finances aren't collapsing from my recent real vacation. While checking into the credit card account I checked out my rewards. Way up in the stratosphere is a trip for two on a clipper ship. All I need is 437,500 points and a partner.

this vacation

2007-02-01T08:57:00.000-05:00

I'm in Orlando at the centrally located beautiful Sheraton Vistana Resort. One of my sisters has a time share that she exchanged for this location. I always thought being in a warm sunnny location was what I needed to do in the winter and I do. But getting here entailed way too much organization although now I feel so good I don't actually really care about that anymore. Looking forward to 81 degrees today and hanging out at the pool. :-)

avoidance, a great time waster

2007-01-03T07:01:00.000-05:00

In my quest for perfect happiness, I took a look at some options for learning to be a film director or something like that. I often wish I could be the paint on the wall or the camera operator when films are being made. What goes on there? Anyway, realized that what I'm actually doing is avoiding thinking about my current job. Some days I just want to do nothing and there's not really a way to do that when I have no privacy. So here's my list of film schools I'd like to attend after I sell everything and move into my Bambi.

Most Artistic: London
Most Creatively Inspiring: New York
Most Realistic Option: Maine

happy new year

2007-01-01T08:28:00.000-05:00

Ooops. I may have slipped up and pushed the back of my mind to the front. So, there it is.

nice but weird holidays

2006-12-07T13:18:00.000-05:00

Those people are everywhere. On Match.com, on the streets of Richmond, at Target. They're all over. I'm good at recognizing them because I am one of them.

So, it's not going well and "girlfriend" suggested that I'm desperate, although if questioned I'm sure she would say, "No! No! I'm not saying you are. I'm just saying you shouldn't act as if." Uh huh.

For the record, I'm not desperate. Living alone is vastly under rated. Vastly.

I'm looking for something to do over the holidays. True I do have some things to do but I'm looking for that huge charge—that really big fun activity like staying at a resort in a sunny clime and using one day to hang at the day spa and have a massage, manicure, pedicure, etc. However, you don't find those kind of places for $200 for 4 days all-inclusive. Yes. I wish. On the other hand, since I'm not interested in paying for it, I must not really want it.

Great place to find discounted travel at the last minute: site 59. They have excellent deals on the Caribbean. For continguous 48 travel, however, Hotwire has more options and they clue you into the days when travel is the heaviest.

a permanent vacation

2006-12-04T10:44:00.000-05:00

.. AKA life change or alternative lifestyle. I'm so ready. It was hard to get to work this morning, beginning with getting out of bed. The nicer the weekend the more difficult the Monday. Had guilty dreams. Guess I'm not allowed to have nice weekends. So, whatever. Listened to K95 The Wolf in the car. Seriously considering entering the contest for a free Harley. It could be so me in another life on that permanent vacation. What is vacation but an alternate life? As they used to say, a change is as good as a rest.

worms

2006-08-06T16:18:00.000-04:00

Since I'm all alone (without the clone) and have tons of time I've been researching yet another air dream in an Airstream. I came upon this page of actual owners. Imagine! They buy this top-of-the-line trailer and then parade around in rags as if that would convince me they had no money or nothing to steal. Hah! Not that I would contemplate stealing but I just can't imagine why they wear such trashy clothes. Maybe all their money went to the trailer.

Anwway, it's what I'm contemplating, again. If I could just figure out how to have an income while checking out of life as I know it, I'd be down to the Airstrean dealer ordering my Bambi in a flash.

Seeing Clearly

2006-03-05T20:37:00.000-05:00

Ah, yes. There is this weird museum in Italy where you can sit on a toilet seat while watching a movie featuring toilet seats. Kinda reminds of that CD "Material World" that showed people and their stuff around the world. My favorite part was seeing all the toilets. I mean, it's a part of culture no one really considers (unless you caught the Olympic podcast at NBC 5 on February 16th where the presenters check out the toilets backstage). I can't view the CD anymore because it's so old it won't play on my new system. Also, there was a glitch in the CD so I missed a few parts.

I would love to check the museum in person only I don't remember the name of it and when I went to the "Today" website there is, can you believe it!!??!, no link to past shows. I mean, what do I search on? Olympics? Even though that's why Katie was there I'm sure a search like that will bring up a vomitous mass of links. Toilets? Maybe museum? Oh, well. I tried.

Where I might actually go on vacation is camping in North Carolina. There's this place high up in the mountains where it's cool and unhumid in the summer and it's much closer than Maine. Round about August I need a heat break. It's supposed to get down to 65 at night here. Lovely!

Cool in the Pool

2005-08-12T17:10:00.000-04:00

So far I've managed to walk early enough in the day to beat the heat 3 times while on vacation. I also went one evening. But for the last three days Pip the Dog has been laying around bleary eyed in the A/C while I take off to the pool. I've been to the city pools twice now. They aren't bad, although every time I went someone felt compelled to tell me at least once about the "Adult Swim" in the evenings. Why would I try to beat the heat in the evening when it's the afternoon that's killing me? So I calmly jumped in and then sat around after reading in the shade. Very relaxing. Have decided to sell house and buy one with outdoor pool closer. Ha ha. Today I checked out the Pocahontas State Park Pool and Aquatic Recreation Center (you can tell it's a government facility can't you). Very nice, but there's no shade. It's hard to believe that this park is barely a year old and already the bathrooms look like crap and the locks don't work. It's definitely worth the $3 entry fee and $6 swim fee if you have kids. However, it's a lot more satisfying to have a short drive to a pool and pay nothing.

So far ...

2005-08-07T16:55:00.000-04:00

This vacation has been really different from any vacation I have ever had. I am not going anywhere. I am just here at home.

Good: Saving a lot of money, no packing, no driving, no traveling, I know where all the services are.
Bad: No way to get away from the stuff that needs to be done around here.

The optimistic view: I can now get to those things that nag me to death when I'm working. I can be a tourist in my home town (I might even see the Edgar Allen Poe Museum).

I've removed 99% of the dog hair from all the floors. I've had two nice, long walks with Pip in the cool of the morning. I've visited two free city swimming pools. Big surprise: they are clean and full of nice people. Another surprise: the indoor pool was more crowded than the outdoor pool.

So, lovely, lovely discovery: free pools in town worth using.

Not considering the pessimistic view at this time. :-)

Take a Vocation

2005-07-30T14:19:00.000-04:00

I'm about to go into hock to try this out. Maybe I need to back away from the computer for a couple of hours. But if I had the money, I would go. Definitely.

Instead, I'll be tearing out the bathroom during vacation time in August. That's the plan, anyway.

2005-07-04T15:23:00.000-04:00

My next vacation will not be a vacation. It will be tearing out bathroom walls and making new ones. I have been told by a an ex-carpenter friend that fixing moldy bathroom walls is not a glamorous job and that none of his current carpenter buddies would thank him for referring me. How lovely. I am obviously in the wrong profession. I can't afford to turn down work whether glamorous or not.

I am in this predicament because one out of five contractors finally gave me an estimate of $7,500.00 to repair half of my 6' X 8' bathroom (just the walls around the tub and replace the tub and hang a surround). For some reason my block walls also need sheetrock. It's taken 6 months to get one estimate on this bathroom. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the neighborhood I live in and contractors being more interested in jacking up their prices than being creative or economical. It's just not fair!

I'm really into the subconcious meanings of jingles. The R. J. Tilley jingle is "Everyone is living comfortabley with R. J. Tilley." I'm pretty sure this means the employees of Mr. R. J. Tilley, not the residents of the area they service. I walked on their estimator. No one has called me to try to get me back.

2005-06-07T18:40:00.000-04:00

IF ... however, it is not IF it is IS. So I am dreaming of taking a photography class.

2005-05-20T07:39:00.000-04:00

I’ve wanted to go to The Cannes Film Festival since before the 50^th anniversary – over 8 years. Gee, just imagine if I had been saving up all along I might have been able to go this year. Anyway, this week I saw some photos of a press conference and read an issue of the Variety Cannes free edition and it’s all just some big business convention that the public is invited to attend by proxy. The tradeshow booths are outside and are mostly permanent structures, although some vendors set up just for the festival. It’s just like a big opening night in Hollywood where you see a lot of actors (or thesps as the trade calls them) and watch a lot of movies. I like the watching movies part. That’s good. And seeing thesps is good too – especially if I can experience them as real people and not income streams. However, the latter is exactly what happens at The Cannes Film Festival. It’s a place for producers and directors to show their wares and make deals with distributors. Very boring. If I were young, buxom and so inclined (to mostly go topless) it could also be a way for me to get into movies as a thesp myself. Boring.

So, I no longer have any ambition to go there in person, except maybe just to see Cannes when the festival is not there (and to maybe go topless when no one is looking).

Another mostly dead dream is to go to NYC during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Instead of an outburst of creative expression, it’s a business convention for the NY theatre industry held in the public view. It’s a way to promote what’s new on Broadway this season.

Turns out my dreams are just contributions to the media circus that boosts someone else’s income, not visits to true festivals that actually celebrate something. That is what I really need: a reason to celebrate something.

My next vacation will most likely be a camping trip. I like sleeping outside. Really. I hate leaving my dog behind. He loves being outside with me.

I am putting money aside and saving a bit by not having a real (going somewhere exotic, or new-different-and-exciting) vacation. However, I am reminded by reading old journals that typically around the end of October my funds diminish so I need to put aside a cushion for that time which lasts until March. So, the whole idea of saving one year to have a really fabulous vacation the next has fallen to corporate greed and my inability to negotiate a decent salary or to find a job that’s worth the effort.

So, what I really need is a reason to celebrate.

Short List of Vacation Ideas:

Cannes (during the not festival time)

Mensa World Gathering 2006

Tahiti (during the not Billabong Pro competition)

Key West (anytime)

The Bahamas (anytime but especially in February)

Germany in the summer

Burning Man – a real festival (need a serious plan for this one; seems like a lot like work)

Canal boating in England and Wales

Horseback trail riding through the mountains

Backpacking in a wilderness area

Ocracoke for a long fly-in weekend

2005-03-21T22:28:00.000-05:00

I have rearranged my vacation time 4 times already. So far the only firm date is a trip to the beach to see my mother while my aunt is visiting from Germany. The rest is up in the air. I have about 8 days in August because I hate August so I get out of work and go do something cool and refreshing.

2005-03-10T07:31:00.000-05:00

I can't remember what I posted last time I was here. This is pretty sad. I genuinely thought that this site would get me movtivated to plan a truly fine vacation but it hasn't worked like that. I'm overwhelmed by my desire to have a truly fine vacation. Like it's way out of reach. With my debt load I have a hard time justifying anything that isn't necessary. Even if I go "nowhere" this year that doesn't mean I'll actually save for a great vacation.

So what is a great vacation? Marathon key? I have a vague recollection of someone tellling me they have nude beaches there. Any beach is fine. I could wait until June and just go to Virignia Beach. That would be easy. Then I would have beach. I have thought about islands. There are some off of Florida and Georgia. The Bahamas are always good. One year my parents went to Bermuda. I'd like to see the white sand and blue water.

A half-dream is to see the faces of Mt Rushmore in person. I've seen a couple of pictures that put it into scale. I"m afraid I'll be disappointed.

Anyway, my real vacation this year is scheduled (so far) for April and August with one week still to be decided. I'd like to stay home and work on the house: painting, deck work, etc. Then I'd also like a week at the beach and then I would like to see my son and his family in Milwaukee. Seems too mundane. But I guess that's it for this year.

2005-03-01T18:37:00.000-05:00

No luck deciding what to do this year. I grabbed a week in April and a week in August. I get 5 more days in the next round. Gee, I hope something good comes along.

2005-02-08T22:09:00.000-05:00

Going to the opera is almost like being on a vacation. There's nothing better for frazzled nerves than an expressive, excellently presented opera. It's a way to sit back and let someone else pay attention to detail. I loved it. I didn't know much about Wagner or "Tristan and Isolde" before. Now I know something. I read a couple of books (one of them the libretto—hey! I know a new word!). I also checked out the music CDs from the library. The production I saw in Norfolk on February 4th is much better than the recording I checked out. That Peter Mark guy is one hell of a great creative director.

I liked the ending that Peter Mark came up with—Isolde lays across Tristan as she dies and the whole set is lit up like an underwater cave. It's pretty good. In the real story, Isolde's husband, King Marke, is supposed to bless the dead lovers. That's an interesting ending if the action is directed to highlight this tension in King Marke. Peter streamlined the action to focus on Isolde and Tristan. I suppose since the story is about them that's a pretty good way to go. I really liked the treatment even though it left a few things out. But, that's a director's prerogative.

The remainder of the weekend was also a lovely vacation from routine. I really enjoyed conversing with my sisters and nieces. Mom made us a totally great dinner Friday night.

My next vacation is February 21st. Haven't a clue what I'll be doing. Suggestions?

2005-02-04T08:16:00.000-05:00

My next vacation started today. I'm going to the beach to see my mother and an opera. The best part of vacation is sleeping until I wake up. I know.

2005-01-15T13:30:00.000-05:00

I'm taking two vacations this weekend.

Going Back to Work on Monday. I'm calling up my private plane and jetting out to Freeport, Bahamas. I'm leaving in about an hour. I'll be back Monday afternoon so I can chill out and unpack before getting ready for another work week. I'm taking a friend along.

Not Going Back to Work on Monday. I'm calling up my private jet and jetting out to Oberstdorf (oooh, check out the webcams!) for some good skiing (this is why I keep my passport current). While I'm there I'll be picking up my daughter from Switzerland for a couple of days. After that, some friends have told me they will be there during the week. I'm looking forward to great evening conversations over Glühwein and maybe a little night skiing with a torch in my hand (or posted along the run). I'll be back a week from tomorrow. Then back to work.

Work is not a bad thing. It makes the time go by and I feel like I'm accomplishing something, even it's just becoming more patient or getting a client to understand that they need to be real specific when they give instructions. I learn at work. I like work that teaches me things. However, it also has to pay me for those new skills. I can see how management would think that they incur an expense by teaching me. However, I am a very quick learner and they get a return on their investment in a very short time and generally get back two times more (at least) than if they had invested in an average person.

I've nothing against average people. They are what make me stand out so much. Also, there are plenty of way-above-average people who are a lot of trouble. It's just that the definition of average is what most people are. It's not my fault I'm so smart. I was made that way. Everyone has a talent they can take advantage of. Mine is intelligence. I haven't taken advantage of it because it seems so unfair to run rings around people.

What I need is a way to jump in and out of this life. I like the low profile, low key life but I need to sometimes jump out and do something wild and out there or up there or whatever it is that that my heart calls me to do. I need a particular type of rhythm—like dancing in and out of a rut ... or maybe that's walking and dancing ...

2005-01-14T16:17:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo! Having a mini-vacation right here at work! Blogger is unblocked!

Having a terrible time getting my bathroom repaired. It's too small a job for anyone and apparently all the contractors are backed up.

Having no luck in the vacation department. That can only mean some unforseen event preventing me from making a decision. Well, I'll have plenty of time to schedule. The vacation book hasn't even come around yet.

Tally ho!

2004-12-17T04:57:00.000-05:00

It's really hard this time of the year to justify and maintain any kind of fiscal restraint. Fortunately, 98% of my unreasonable purchases have been in my mind only. Is this progress?

I am dreaming of ski vacations. I was thinking Wintergreen, but what the heck! Let's go all out and try Park City or Switzerland. I am also dreaming of beach vacations on white sand and sleeping on the shore so I can hear the waves. Or maybe going to that private island in "The Thomas Crown Affair." Something like that.

What I am doing is figuring out the most economical way to repair my bathrooom walls and replace the worn out tub.

2004-12-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

It's increasingly difficult to justify no vacation. I mean, spending nothing on vacation one year to spend it the next on something truly great. I keep coming up with projects to spend money on, defeating the purpose of no vacation. I also keep finding must do vacations everywhere I go. Like at National Geographic. Wow! Dream tours deluxe!

My sewer pipe just had to be replaced. Fortunately I got mad enough to get three quotes. Underground Services First gave me a great deal and were efficient and nice to boot. A miracle. So that's money I spent that I would rather have not. The good news: I was able to finance with an equity line. The bad news: more debt. In the land of vacations it's either get out of debt or have a vacation. There's nothing in between. Sure, I get paid for time off—three weeks this year. But that's the only part of vacation that's paid for.

Very tempting is to stay home and do home improvement all year. The list is growing. There's the needs: new bathroom walls (old studs are rotted by past leaks from previous owners), floor coverings (removed old, stained, extremely smelly rug and pad from whole house to reveal vinyl asbestos tile that broke up where the floor meets the wall), replace ceiling fan in second bedroom, finish painting and decorating. Then there's the extras: replace medicine cabinet in bathroom, new faucets in kitchen and bathroom, fancy mini-fridge from U-line, create foyer, get all new furniture (doesn't seem like so much when I write it down).

2004-11-14T10:12:00.000-05:00

Here's another exciting installment in the quest to create a plan for the totally great vacation and then to actually achieve it.

I've given up on Tahiti, but if I really didn't go anywhere next year I could, possibly, manage to put aside a little money so that in 2006 I could go there. That might be a plan.

However, I would also like to attend the 2006 Mensa World Gathering. You never know. My true love might be there and looking for me.

Another option is full-on participation in Burning Man 2006 in Black Rock. That gives me over a year to get my costume and art together. My little booth sporting a desert-ready Mac playing my avant garde animated art. It could happen.

2004-10-30T13:42:00.000-04:00

A few things in 2006 might be worth staying home for in 2005: the Mensa World Gathering and working on my house. Aside from that, I feel I must get some sun in February and that means leaving home for at least a weekend. Arrggghh. Why can't I just win the lottery?

2004-10-11T06:26:00.000-04:00

I'm considering staying at home in 2005 so I can have a real vacation in 2006. I have no reason not to and I'm tired of cheap, make do jaunts. Not that I'm opposed to camping, I would rather do it in style instead of in frugality.

2004-10-03T08:34:00.000-04:00

On Vacation
Here I am, in Milwaukee. I am relearning such important fuctions as baby calming, child rearing and maternal support services. I also took the leap and changed a diaper. Maybe today I'll see some of the city.

2004-08-29T18:58:00.000-04:00

My last vacation turned into a Buddhist monk production (that noise you hear when the site loads is made by monks singing). I saw the opening ceremony for the "Compassionate Buddha" mandala in Hampton Roads and then went back the next day to see how it was going. Then I visited again to see the closing ceremony and get my share of the sand. I recommend participating when they come to your town. Don't try to ask the monks questions though. They don't speak English. However, translators are available and they will answer your questions. You can also go to the sponsor site, Richard Gere Productions to find out more about this particular venture. To learn more about Buddhism, I recommend buddhanet.net.

The remainder of the time was spent getting a pedicure with Mom and laying out on the beach. The weather was very cooperative, the jellyfish stayed away and the water was at that rousing temperature that makes it hard to get wet but lovely to stay wet.

2004-08-11T22:13:00.000-04:00

My next vacation will be this weekend and two days next week (Monday and Tuesday) - so four days. Saturday evening I'm attending a friend's Wardrobe Party at Chico's. Then Sunday through Tuesday I'm visiting my mother at the beach.

In September I'll be on vacation again -- going to Milwaukee.

2004-07-24T18:07:00.000-04:00

Still nothing new on the vacation front. Since I have no money and my fianances are like trying to hold water in a sieve, I'm not real enthused about spending money. However, I still like having time off and relaxing. I hate writing about it though. I think this blog is doomed.

2004-07-13T21:38:00.000-04:00

Okay. Big decision and I don't like it. I'll be spending my next vacation, a short one, at the Pocohantas State Park. On the good days I'll be there swimming. On rainy days, I've no idea what I'll do. Read I suppose or rediscover my video library.

2004-07-10T22:12:00.000-04:00

Once again the realization has hit me that I do not really think about my next vacation that much. I'm not even thinking about my next vacation after my next vacation very much. I will not be going anywhere. I'm thinking I may just hang out at Pocahantas State Park. They have some lovely amenities that, in the past, I have traveled to enjoy.

If you have a second, maybe you could post about your next vacation.

2004-07-01T22:01:00.000-04:00

No real decision about my next vacation. Mulling over maybe hanging out here in R-town and jumping in the rivah every day. It's quite lovely and Pip may be back in action by then, able to carefully take short walks. Swimming is so low stress - good for the joints.

2004-06-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

I'm really blocked about my next vacation. Poor Pip is still recovering from a pulled ligament. I realized on the way home from the beach last weekend that he tends to stand up whenever the air changes or the speed of the car changes. Not good for his "knee." Since there was a traffic snarl I spent a lot of time telling him to lay down. So, taking him out somewhere in August may not be feasible. Even if I do, he may not be able to walk much. My poor walking companion can no longer walk!

Something will occur to me, I'm sure.

2004-06-19T22:38:00.000-04:00

I'm sort of on vacation now. I'm at Mom's at the beach. The best place to go for beach updates is the Hampton Roads site. There's eveything! Events, traffic cams, local news, weather. What else do you need?

2004-06-16T21:14:00.000-04:00

Still no inspiration for my next vacation. Here's a free desktop from my last vacation, Ocracoke. Well, it's not a picture of Ocracoke. It's a picture from the ferry that runs to Ocaracoke.

2004-06-11T07:33:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to Milwaukee in August, I'm going in September or the beginning of October. I've divided what's left into two short vacations. In August I"ll have to find something a little closer to home to jog out to so I can keep cool.

The two worst months of the year are February and August. Both are extremes that arrive at the end of the season when my patience has ended.

2004-06-07T07:29:00.000-04:00

My Next Vacation: Milwaukee, Wisconsin in August. Why? One of my sons is returning there with his family after a year in Japan.

Convention Bureau

Official City Site

Milwaukee Art Museum

2004-06-07T07:22:00.000-04:00

Ocracoke - Change Your Pace

Rating: A Return Visit with More Money
Attractions: long beaches with good body surfing waves, whole plentiful shells, service culture, excellent weather, closer than the Bahamas yet isolated
Claim to fame: Home of Blackbeard (pirate), survivors of three major hurricanes, plentiful Blue fish
Things to do: eat, lay on the beach, swim in the ocean, body/board surf or learn how to, bike or walk lazily, join a fishing charter, watch the fishing boats unload the daily catch, become a pirate, count stars, look at the lighthouse, ride the ferry, visit wild horses, observe pelicans and scarlet tanagers, take long deep breaths of salt air, learn the local dialect, fly a really big kite
Amenities: small hotels and inns, rental cottages, campgrounds, personal service, 350 beers from around the world, 10 cent shrimp, fresh fish, charter airline, dog kennel, boutique shopping
Hazards: biting flies, poison ivy, sunburn, high winds, ding-batters
How to get there: drive & ferry, fly, boat
Essential gear: camera, sunscreen, debit/credit card, hat, bathing suit, dog, insect repellent
Last visited: May 22-29, 2004
Travelogue

2004-06-03T07:48:00.000-04:00

My Last Vacation

Ocracoke. My daughter and I camped at Ocracoke Campground, run by the government as part of the Cape Hatteras National Park/Seashore. They were at about one third capacity, which I liked. We got lucky and snagged a dune spot, the last one available, with nothing but a dune between us and the ocean. The dune provided a wind break. The site had a couple of large bushes (or stunted trees) which also gave some shade early in the morning and late in the afternoon. This also gave us some privacy. Altogether, a good site. It was easy to check in and out. The ranger station was closed by the time we arrived at 8 pm. But instructions were easy to follow. The next morning the ranger came out to our site to give us a windshield sticker. No hot showers. We took cold showers late in the afternoon when the air was hot and we could still warm up afterwards.

Just about every day involved doing nothing. This meant lying on the beach, reading a book and figuring out where to have lunch. Most days we found something to do out of the heat between 11 am and 3 pm. A couple of days that was jumping into the ocean. Other days that was eating lunch in an air conditioned dining room or a breezy, shady deck. The ranger station listed water temperature at 76 degrees. It didn't feel that warm, but it was okay. The air temperature varied from 80 to 92. At night the air was between 65 and 72. Nice sleeping weather. It rained once very lightly and another time enough to get the ground wet. It was pretty easy to keep cool. All I needed was shade and a breeze. Both readily available.

The beach is grey sand. Shells are easy to find, whole and big. Forget the low tide thing. Try the north end of the island. The surf is hard and short. One very windy, wavey day three surfers tried to paddle out past the breakers and were pushed about half a mile along the beach before giving up. There wasn't enough calm water for swimming but I enjoyed diving through the waves. I saw a few people body surfing. The most successful had body boards.

My biggest disappointment was finding myself leaving the dog in the car for long periods of time. I chose this vacation with the dog in mind but I didn't actually do a lot of stuff with him besides walking on the beach and running in the waves. Pip's favorite time was the day we went to the north end of the island where there were no waves and little wind. He loved that. He got in the water constantly, had a lot of energy and seemed happy. There's a dog kennel - Sandy Paws Bed and Biscuit. I never left Pip there but it looked inviting. Dogs were everywhere and welcomed by everyone.

The whole island, except for off-island stuff (ATV on Portsmouth, surfing lessons and charter fishing trips), could possibly be done in two days if you pack in your activities back to back. We visited the museum, Teach's Hole (a mini-pirate museum and gift shop), the information center, and the light house on different days. Except for the lighthouse (which took five minutes), I believe you could drag out each visit to maybe two hours if you had to. One visit is all you need.

The lighthouse (which is not open to the public) is next to one of the better places to eat - The Albert Styron Store (ASS to those who know). It's a sort of old country store and gift shop with a deli - Cat Ridge Deli. I don't remember seeing any cats there but the food was excellent. I had the Monday special on Tuesday (Rueben on tomato wrap). It was delicious. Thing to do is order your sandwich and then browse the store.

Another good place to eat is Creekside Cafe. It's the top floor of a house with a balcony overlooking Silver Lake Harbor (the creek). The food was very tasty and the service attentive. We didn't discover this place until our third day. Hard to miss as it's right above the ice cream store and bike rental. Our last night we sat on the balcony drinking wine and watching the sun go down. This is also a good place to sit and watch traffic, whether upstairs with a meal or downstairs in a rocking chair on the porch licking a cone.

For tasty, healthy take-away food try Fig Tree Bakery. Another great wrap place. Kathleen said their Hoummous wrap was the best on the island. They also have Cheer Wine and a few other unusual drinks. I tried the molasses oatmeal cookie. It was chewy and flavorful.

Each morning involved a visit to the Beachcomber Campground and Store. Here I got coffee and milk. I ended up here because they are the only place open at 6 am. We also got ice and sandwiches here for the days we cooled off during the heat of the day by jumping into the ocean. It's a place where the locals go for coffee and breakfast biscuits. There's even a place to sit around and chat, and you can get the obligatory kite and t-shirt, too. The campground advertises hot showers. I don't know if they actually offer sites for camping or if, like Teeter's Campground, they were just a place to park your trailer home.

One off-island excursion we did make was to Pea Island Wildlife Management Area. We took the ferry (free and frequent) back to Hatteras and then drove up the banks. At the information center we bought a $7 CD with a driving tour of Pea Island and Alligator River. The CD said it was a two hour tour, but I believe it took us longer than that. The narration allows for stops along the way, including taking in the history of Manteo. We saw a lot of birds but no bears or alligators even thought the CD warned us not to feed them. On the way back we stopped at the Bodie Island lighthouse. If you go, be there before 5 pm. They close right on time.

I suppose I should mention Howard's Pub. Everyone finds it. It's at the entrance to the village offering about 300 beers and ordinary pub food, much like the stuff you would get at home. The service is excellent, the atmosphere festive.

Would I return to Ocracoke? Not without extra money for off-island excursions and dog kennelling at Sandy Paws. Also, I would go a week earlier than this year (or two or three weeks after Labor Day) to make lying on the beach cooler. I'd also get one of those portable beach cabanas, mostly to get out of the wind. We made a short shelter out of a tarp, mostly for the dog, but it was a bit cramped for long visits. My dream: fly in for a long weekend of lying on the beach.

Coming home from vacation reminded me that I plan my trips to avoid crowds. On Friday afternoon the campsite started filling up and by evening there wasn't an empty site. We were so glad we left the next morning. When I got home Saturday I saw that most of my neighbors were gone - so I had the neighborhood to myself. It was so peaceful!

Now about my next vacation . . .

2004-05-21T21:08:00.000-04:00

Found a cool spot for my next vacation: Washington and Old Dominion Trail. "Countless bikers, hikers and horse riders now flock to W&OD where a cathedral of maples, black walnuts and dogwoods now shelter the trail so it cool (sic) on the hottest summer day." according to The Sierra Club. Those are some serious people. So I may hike the trail.

Dream cool spot: skiing somewhere. Australia? New Zealand? Alaska? That would be so lovely in the heat of summer. I have a weird feeling about my next vacation. I can't seem to settle on anything. Part of me is ready to give up and just jump in the river everyday. That's cool! I hope not. I hope I find something amazing to do to keep cool in August.

2004-05-21T20:54:00.000-04:00

Last night while doin laundry, Kathleen and I made of list of everything we need, We needed another sleeping bag, tarp and batteries. So we went out and got them at Walmart. What did I do before Walmart? Cursed a lot I think.

I printed out directions to Ocracoke from Rand-McNally. In the past, I have used Mapquest, but then they led me astray on my way to Maine. It's no fun to miss a turn and have to lose 30 minutes getting back on track.

I found good information on activities in and around Ocracoke at a realty site, ocracokeislandrealty. Amazing. I suppose it's to their advantage to let you know about the great stuff so they sell more real estate.

This evening I partially packed the car: a box of stuff like another tarp, shoes, insect repellent; my waist pack with first stuff in it; sleeping bags; tarp; tent; beach bag; chairs. Tomorrow clothes and food and the dog. The dog cover is on the back seat. The doggie harness waits in place.

I'm stopping by Mom's on the way back to have lunch. I was going to borrow her sun umbrella but she only has a small clip on. I almost spent $30 on a gazebo tent last night. I hate to get something I'll only use once.

So, pretty much, except for balancing the checkbook, I'm ready. I'm getting out the camera now so I don't forget it.

2004-05-13T22:45:00.000-04:00

Why did I start this? I think about vacation a lot but writing about it is something else. I've just managed to resolve the financing problem, so, technically, I'm ready to go.

However, I still have to test the tent and collect the other camping items and figure out what to do about food. I'l lhave next week. That will be fine. In the meantime, I try not to daydream too much about the lovely beach or get too greedy over possible sea shells on the beach.

2004-05-07T22:55:00.000-04:00

Oh, well, here's the exciting thing about a vacation. Paying for it! Fortunately I'll be leaving a week after the payday that doesnt' get sucked away immediately. I may even have some money left over from Kathleen's graduation. Part, but only part, of the reason I camp is financial. I really, really like camping.

I don't feel "ready" for vacation. I'm always ready for time away from work but not ready yet to go. I still have to determine if I want to get up at the crack of dawn to beat the ferry crowds or if I want to take my time and get up late and beat the crowds that way. I vote late. Of course Kathleen has a vote, too.

2004-04-30T19:54:00.000-04:00

Here's the camping on Ocracoke Island link. It's very cool that I could make reservations online but it was definitely Federal Government type reservations and not Amazon type reservations.

I'm taking my dog, Pip, so that's an issue. He has to be on a leash and can't go to the swimming beaches but that's okay. There's a lot of beach on this island that isn't designated for swimming. I'm going to check out the off-road-vehicle only section. I'm sure it won't matter if a dog does his thing on that part of the island.

I'm also going to be accompanied by my daughter, Kathleen, who has just kicked ass at William and Mary by defending her Senior Thesis and getting an "A." She's also a lot of fun. We'll do some walking, probably following this suggestion.

I've been to Ocracoke before. If you look at a map, street names are listed. However, in actual reality there are no real functioning street signs. Instead, everywhere you go there are little ads on wood at the street corners that say things like "This way to Howard's Pub" or "English Graveyard this way." Seems to me it would be cheaper to put in street signs but apparently the natives got tired of answering questions that start with "Can you tell me where ..." or "Which way is ..."

Ocracokians like their dogs. Everywhere you go there's a pickup truck with a dog in it, sometimes two.

Of course the main reason I'm going is to lie on the beach in the sun, my favorite pasttime and one not often induldged. I need to move to the beach, for sure.

2004-04-28T22:19:00.000-04:00

My next vacation is coming up soon. It's already planned and partly paid for. I'm camping on the beach, Ocracoke beach.

After that I need to find a cool place to go in August.