Nine-month old Nina hanging outside in our friends’ backyard.
It was an arduous few days, but we’re on our way to getting settled into the cottage at the beach.
We packed a day early. My husband magically managed to fit into our car all our stuff — his office equipment, our suitcases, cooler and bags of stuff I didn’t want to buy on vacation, like condiments, paper products and our Keurig and coffee.
We hit the road early and dropped in on two clients, one for lunch as we passed through our old hometown.
Then we met long-time friends for dinner in their hometown. They were celebrating their 45th anniversary and we got to treat them. We hadn’t seen them in at least 10 years. It was so much fun to catch up and we talked late into the night.
We ended up driving close to six hours on day one. Day two was a little easier with only three hours to drive. Strangely, those three hours seemed to take all day long!
Then arriving at the cottage, we spent hours unpacking and getting organized, grocery shopping etc. I slept that night like the dead.
Our first morning began with a beach walk with our friends and Nina, the rottie. They invited us over for omelettes after the walk.
View from our friends’ backyard.
Now it’s time to relax! One challenge for me is we have more friends in our vacation area than we do in our new state of Arizona. Through COVID, I got used to having lots of downtime. I need to be balanced with our friends here and not over schedule our social life.
The last few days reminded me of Lenny Kravitz song “Fly Away.”
Do you need to have downtime in your weeks, too? Or can you be super social and enjoy it?
My dad always said he needed to find his “vacation rhythm” because if wasn’t careful, he and Sue would over schedule and end up needing a vacation…from vacation. 😎
Yes, I like that. Vacation rhythm. I remember the first vacation back to Washington after moving to California as a newlywed, I had my Daytimer scheduled every day.
Must have downtime. Being with people too long stresses me out
I’m with you. I have to make boundaries.
Going on vacation has many layers to it, like the proverbial onion you have to peel. I like being away with friends, but then find I want to also want to be away from the people I’m with.
Yes, that’s it. I’m so excited to see friends we see only a few times a year, but I also want to be away alone.
I would call my life one long vacation now! I like having no responsibilities and having the ability to be social if/when I want- which isn’t often.
That sounds ideal! I need to adopt your outlook.
Well it might be just more adaptation than anything EA, but it works for me- a not really social person to begin with so I welcome that part 🙂
I find our close friends here are much more social than I am. So I have to guard my alone time. I think they’re figuring it out now.
I hope you guys have a wonderful time on your vacation.
Thank you! I feel settled in like today is the first day of vacation.
That’s great. 💞💞💞
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You have a unique challenge. Most people go on vacation to get away. You seem to know more people in CA. Ha ha! If it were me, I’d be going where non one knew me. Ha ha
That’s a great idea! We have longtime friends here from our newlywed days who have introduced us to their friends throughout the years. Then our son went to school here, so we met more people, plus Palm Springs friends moved here. I either have to move here or vacation somewhere else!
Oh, it’s good to have friends!!! Ha ha, don’t listen to me, I’m a hermit. No one would want to visit me. Ha ha
I’m more hermit than social butterfly. I’m excited to see my friends here but not on a daily basis!
Hang in there. Have fun!
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So glad you’re able to get away! I’ve never been particularly social, so always appreciate the downtime. With family reunions and visiting friend, the people time is important, but we’ve got to toss in some rest and relaxation, too.
Absolutely! We do enjoy our friends in the Santa Barbara area, but we also like time alone.
Enjoy your vacation—sounds like you brought all the comforts required. I am not very social, especially on a vacation. But in some circumstances, I do want to get acquainted with the locals to learn more about an area I’m traveling in.
Our friends are the locals which makes it fun. We are now on a first name basis with the vendors at the farmer’s market and know which ones have the best produce.
I love that your husband magically fit everything. As you know, I totally relate to that. Especially the condiments!
Here’s to a great vacation for you both – and the balance between down time and friends!! Have a great trip, Elizabeth!
Thank you!
Packing the car is always a challenge before a long trip, even short ones. Love that your husband managed to fit all your stuff. I read about the vacation backwards so I already know you’re going to have a fabulous time. Enjoy. Hugs, C
Thanks! Yes, I leave packing the car to my husband. If I pack anything it comes back out and he redoes it. So why bother? I love it here.