Maybe because after eight years of trucking and never having a home, and then moving every couple of years while Jack consulted all over the country, I’m pretty much a homebody now. So, while even I have my limits as to how much I can stand being a hermit, chained to the house, I often vote for staycation over vacation. That’s not to say that we haven’t been out a bit in the past several years of living in the great American Northwest. We’ve been to Yellowstone and Seattle, and along the Columbia Gorge. I plan to see Glacier National Park this spring…maybe on our way to Alaska!!! But for the most part, I’m happy puttering in my own kitchen, sitting on my own couch, and sleeping in my own bed.
We have had some great vacations, though. Here are some highlights:
- The two Yellowstone trips. The park is very different in late September
than it is in January! Beautiful either way, but more bison that are also closer in winter, bubbling mud and fumaroles surrounded by snow, and frozen waterfalls. In September the trees had turned and blazing aspens stood out sharply on the mountainsides. We combined the September trip with family, by exiting the park at the east gate and driving across Wyoming and South Dakota to see my mom in Iowa. - San Francisco. Years ago—before San Fran lost its way—we spent a glorious week at a hotel at the Wharf. The location was perfect! The weather was perfect! The trip was… Yes, you guessed it, PERFECT! It was on that trip that I saw a man walk up to a corner café. They had pushed back the walls to allow the sidewalk tables access to the inside. He sat at a table and had breakfast and coffee while he read his paper. His sockless feet were in loafers, his shirt hung out, his hair was slightly mussed by the breeze. I wanted to be that cosmopolitan in the worst way, and sit at that café for coffee. Years later, when we lived in San Francisco, I did!
- London. We spent an unforgettable week in London many years ago, doing a lot of the touristy things. But we also found the Old Bailey and made a virtual toast to Rumpole, stumbled around town until we happened on the Globe recreation, and visited the War Rooms before they were so popular. Such a great time!
- Williamsburg, When you live in Virginia, you’re bound to have gone to Williamsburg. We have, many times. But seeing the historic, restored village is different when you’re staying in a
timeshare. You can go to the restored area when the spirit moves you, and you can relax and nap the rest of the time. 😉 There are some great restaurants in Williamsburg (and lots of good pancake houses!), so it’s a wonderful place to experience history, to golf, to explore the coast, and to recharge.
Of course, while we were on the road, driving, it was almost like having vacation times. Once, in a 10-day period we saw the San Diego zoo and Disney World in Orlando because we could take a few days on each end of our trucking trip. The best part of all of it? We were together!
Which do you prefer: staying home or going away?
Wishing you a blessed 2020. May we all find health, wealth, and happiness, one way or another!
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Dee
One Woman Only: The Good Man Series, Book 2 Jonah’s story! Can a simple mechanic rekindle with his high school love? She says no, but Jonah loves a challenge!
point, I think I had 300 cookbooks. Whenever any family member traveled anywhere, they knew what to bring back for my collection. I read them like novels and used them often. In the same line, I collected 
Banks, a red phone box from London, a variety of stocking stuffer magnets, and one I kept from my mother-in-law when she died: “Dull women keep immaculate houses.” And so many more! Each magnet brought back memories. But two moves back, I think I lost the box. So temporarily, I’ve given up collecting anything. It’s not a bad thing. Now I’ve taken to giving away items I have for other people’s collections. It’s just as fun!