I used to look forward to our beach vacation every year. Until this year, that is.
I literally lived for beach time. Especially when the kids were young and we’d go to Laguna Beach for two months — or even the entire summer. Living in the desert, I’d need to get out of the heat. The kids would have swim lessons at the city pool and we’d head to the beach for the rest of the day. They’d have hours of free play, using their imaginations building drip castles or building a restaurant and serving me assorted dishes made from sand and seaweed.
Now that it’s almost beach vacation time, albeit much shorter than the vacations in the past, I’m apprehensive. Why? Because I have been on two trips the past few months. And they didn’t go well.
First, we explored the mountains and forests of Arizona. I tripped on our first hike. I thought I had a sprain, but I broke my ankle. Within a week of coming home, I was rushed into surgery. That put a damper on my summer.
Next, we flew to a friend’s daughter’s wedding in Northern California. We came home and got terribly sick with COVID.
Needless to say, I worry about what’s going to happen on our upcoming vacation. Shark attack? Car accident? Food poisoning? My imagination is going wild. This morning I asked my husband, “What’s wrong with staying home? I like it here.” After all, there’s no place like home.
Two summer vacations ago, we were worried about our Daughter-In-Law’s cancer. I was so worried about her tests, surgery, etc. It puts a harsh reality on our summer vacation — that everything is not beach mode and real life worries take hold — regardless of vacation or not.
FYI, If you think it’s a good time to break into our home, think twice. I have two neighbors watching out, plus a house sitter. Good luck!
I’m sure once I get to our destination, everything will be okay. At least I hope so.
Where is your favorite location for vacation?
I sure hope this next vacation goes smoothly. Fingers are crossed! There are so many beautiful places, but I’m partial to the Olympic Peninsula and, in Arizona, Oak Creek Canyon and Greer.
I grew up north of Seattle so we spent lots of camping trips on the Olympic Peninsula. It’s beautiful! I haven’t been to Oakland Creek Canyon and Greer, so thanks for the new ideas.
Greer is beautiful just after the first frost of the year, typically in mid-September, when all the leaves change colors. The entire Mogollon Rim areas is really beautiful, and worth checking out!
Thanks! It’s nice to see you’re back!
Cupcake and I loved our vacation in the Caymans,, but with my cancer, traveling for long periods is almost out of the question. We have both traveled extensively, covering Europe, Asia, and East Africa. My favorite cities that I have visited include Singapore, Osaka, and Mombasa.
You both have seen so much of the world. I have not and I seem to like to be a homebody more and more.
It is nice to be a homebody as you get older.
Wherever I’m going next….
👍🏼
I hope you have a great vacation Elizabeth. We rarely go away for more than 3-4 days as there are family commitments and my husband’s job.
Thank you! My husband takes his job with him. Since he works from home, he can work from vacation, too. Although I think he needs to take some days off and enjoy the beach.
Working on a vacation is no fun at all.
He’s going to take some time off this time.
Hope you both have a lovely time- with health
Thank you so much!
Best wishes my friend
Love the beach picture with your kids. I feel you about vacation – I think it’s worth admitting that it’s hard. Sure, we are so lucky to be able to go but it does mean handling a good dose of uncertainty. I think that uncertainty ends up being very good for our brains and souls but it takes some fortitude. Hope you have a fabulous trip!
I appreciate your thoughtful comment. It is the uncertainty that makes me fearful, but you’re correct that it helps us grow! Here’s to handling the unknown!
Here’s to handling the unknown!
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Thinking of the worst that could happen? Oh, I’m great at this game. How about flying sharks attacking you out of nowhere? Your very own Sharknado? Or an Attack of the Blob? Or aliens from Men in Black? Ha, ha. No, I hear you. You’ve had a tough go. Your due for a wonderful vacation. I’m no fortune teller, but something tells me this one will be an all-time memorable one!!!! Relax and have fun. And thank goodness for great housesitters and neighbors. They make a world of difference!!!
You got me laughing with Sharknado! I needed that. One year, there were three great whites hanging out at the beach we go to. I never got in the water that trip. My daughter and a friend had just swam along the shore and got out, when a Great White tossed a seal up in the air and munched on it. Talk about Wild Kingdom! Yes, at least I don’t have to worry about our house while I’m gone. We have great neighbors.
Oh yea, when that happens, no going in the water for me. And yes, the sharknado reference was definitely trying to draw a laugh! Hang in there. You’re going to have a blast! (And btw, I’m secretly hoping for a pic of Kevin Costner and you on the beach. This is the same one he has a house, right? Or am I wrong?) 🤣🤣🤣😎😎
Yes, it’s the beach with Kevin Costner’s home. Plus Ashton Kutcher. I’ve spotted them both once. Ashton was playing with his kids in the sand. Kevin was sitting on his deck. He and his wife were getting divorced and I think I read she refused to leave the home 😅
I am often conflicted too. People pay big money to vacation where we live so why leave? But, it’s nice to see other places and experience things that we don’t get to at home. Even if I do get a bit anxious before leaving, it usually goes away once we on on our way. Enjoy your time at the beach!
Thanks! I know I’ll calm down once we check into our cottage and walk the beach. The last two trips made me more insecure than I normally am. We live where people like to vacation, too.
I can understand why you would feel apprehensive. Here’s to a great vacation for you and your husband!
Thank you! I need to be more positive. Instead I’m focusing on the negatives of the past.
It’s okay to be negative. I understand. 😘
Thanks!
I think depending on health, doc appointments, work commitments, having someone watch over your home there is a lot for all of us to think about before we pack our bags to go.
Don’t forget to turn the water off just in case there is a flood but since you have a house sitter, good. Oh, and pets if you have them. Do you take them or leave them home? Definitely a lot for this crew to think about and I can understand thinking of negatives.
We lost our last pet, Olive the cat, before Christmas last year. She is so missed, but I’m having the cat sitter take care of the house and water the yard and plants. My daughter has asked me to take care of her and her pug due after shoulder surgery in October. She also wants me to take Waffles the pug home with me for a month or so, while she recovers! I’m really excited to be assigned pug duty!
You’re so right. I’ve been working on getting ready since Monday. Plus, I graduated from PT today.
Some of my favorite places were the Cayman Islands, Oman, and Montreal. I also loved London. That was years ago though, not sure if it has changed. I have never been to Africa. Would love to go on a safari with my husband!
Third time is the charm!
Hope you have a great trip…
I sure hope so! Sometimes our Santa Barbara vacations gets too busy. We have our longest married couple friends, plus several other couples. A mother of one of my daughter’s friends. Then friends of friends we’ve met through the years. This year I have an excuse of being too tired for too much social life.
You’ll be find. Just wrap yourself in bubble-wrap and get hubby to carry you everywhere 😁
Ha! 😅
Let’s hope to bad luck passes you by this time!
It seems my will to travel has waned a lot over the years. I like taking road trips for sight-seeing and research. Once in a while a beach destination is nice. I’d love to explore more of the Caribbean.
I am hoping for the same thing — no bad luck! I used to love to travel. I thought it was so exciting. As I get older, it seems like a lot of work! We did a cruise in the Caribbean. There are a few places I’d love to return to and spend more time.
Which places in the Caribbean did you like best?
I liked St. John the best. There was an underwater trail that we snorkeled. Also, I wanted to go back and stay in a historic resort called Caneel Bay. But it was destroyed by a hurricane. We visited Antigua, St. Thomas, St. Barts and St. Martin, too.
I loved the British Virgin Islands. I went on a tall ship for two weeks there back in 1986. They don’t do that anymore, sadly. We’ve been to St. Barth and St. Martin, too. Also Turks and Caicos. I’d like to see Grand Cayman.
You’ve reminded me I’d like to see more!
Ooh Elizabeth I hope you can have an amazing time! I do understand your apprehension, its so easy to let our minds run away with the “What ifs..” But we don’t have the power to stop bad things from happening, no matter how much we worry about things. But we may find ourselves missing out on great surprises if we hold back from things. (((Hugs)) and prayers that all will be well!
And you already know my favorite place to go. LOL! ⛱️, here we come! 💕
Thank you! The beach is my favorite place to go. We’re packed and ready. I’m trying to stay calm for the journey. Once we check into the cute cottage we’ve stayed in since 2018, will settle down.
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Oh my goodness! You broke your ankle! I’m so sorry, that must have been one hell of a fall. It’s interesting, I fell right before my sons wedding in Portugal, I didn’t break anything but had to deal with a very sore rib the entire time. I kept asking myself why I fell? The only thing I could think of is I need to slow down and pick up my feet! Keep traveling Elizabeth, it’s worth the risk of getting sick, or tripping over our own feet. My favorite travel is visiting the kids! I look forward to hearing about your next adventure. Hugs my friend, C
I graduated from PT yesterday and got big hugs and letters from the people working there. I felt so confident and proud. Then my son called about getting attacked and bitten by a stray Rottweiler. Oakland, where he lives, had their first rabies dog in eight years reported last week. My son had to go to ER and get miserable shots and has a two week schedule of them ahead. Life never stops sending fast balls. I get anxiety about my trip and drive. Then I have have no idea what is next! Dog attack to my son was so NOT on on my scenario leaving for a peaceful beach vacation.
I can see why you’d be apprehensive to get away again. You’ve had a string of bad luck and let’s say that is all it is. Right? All will be better now! You’ve healed. Your DIL is healthy. You just got over covid, so you won’t get it again in the near future.
Love that pic of your kids on the beach.
Thanks, I love the picture too. It brings back great memories. Thank you for putting everything in perspective. So far the vacation is going well with no issues!