Greetings from the bottom of the Stress Pool!
"You need a vacation." DH said that several times in the last couple of weeks. We were planning a trip to Wilmington, NC, to be accompanied by Moink and Ms. Business. A few days before leaving, Moink said he didn't think he wanted to go. This often happens - he gets excited for a trip, and then right before leaving, he gets anxious and doesn't want to go. It happened with the Germany trip he took in high school, and before every scout trip he went on with his troop. It happened last week. And, DH wasn't happy. He'd looked forward to our youngest two joining us on vacation, for probably one of the last times. "I don't think I want to go now, but you need a vacation." This sort of scared me. The thought of driving all that distance to an area I'm not accustomed to made the stress meter rise to the highest possible level. "Oh, you're going, no matter what," was my reply.
To our delight, Moink decided to go. All four of us departed at 0 dark-thirty on a Sunday morning, arriving at our destination in Brunswick County at 4:30 in the afternoon. After a lovely dinner next to a marina at Wrightsville Beach, we actually went to look at the ocean. Wait, it gets better.
We get back to the hotel. I say, "Tomorrow looks like our best bet for the beach."
DH: "I don't want to go the beach tomorrow." Famous last words.
We did drive around on Monday, looking at beaches we hadn't been to before. It was a beautiful day. Sunny skies, white fluffy clouds. The kids and I went to the hotel pool that evening. There was a hot tub there, too, much to my delight, and that was quite enjoyable, sitting outside, in the hot tub. Emphasis on outside.
I had no sooner gotten out of the shower when a rumble of thunder shook the walls. Yep. That was the music through the rest of the week. We soon learned what there was to do when you go on an ocean vacation, but it rains. Every day. It wasn't even like we were right next to a beach - there was driving involved. (In case you're wondering, we're scoping out Snow-bird possibilities before the day actually arrives!) Wilmington is, so far, the top runner. So, the one evening we thought it was safe to go in the water - yeah, you guessed it. We were at Carolina Beach for an hour or so when the drops started. No big deal, right? You're wet anyway. Until it begins to pour, and then your towels are soaked as well. Nothing like wet sand - everywhere! I think we brought home half the beach with us!)
It was a busy week - one day the Aquarium at Kure Beach and a ride on the ferry (a first for three of us); a tour of the Bellamy House (an Antebellum Mansion in Wilmington); the Battleship North Carolina another, where we got through the entire battleship just before the skies opened with a vengeance! And, a lot of driving around. Our last evening there, we went on a 90 minute walking Ghost Tour of Wilmington - now, that was fun! Our guide, Anthony, was a wonderful story teller. And, while it was quite humid, it didn't rain. What a beautiful sunset that night on the Cape Fear River.
So many things packed into one partial week. We drove home Friday, getting home around 9:00 that night. Almost 12 hours in the car, and I could still feel the motion as my head hit the pillow!
Two days later, and I am still exhausted.
DH had pointed out people standing on the porches of their rental houses at the beach. "What do they do when it rains, and you can't go out on the beach?"
Well, the idea of vacation isn't lost on me. I know what I would do - sit on the porch and listen to the waves hit the shore. Yeah, I think I could do that for hours, day after day after day...
It was a lot of fun, but I need a vacation from the vacation.
Thanks for stopping by. Did you get away this summer? Bring your photos and your favorite beverage, and we'll bask in the memories of relaxing (?) family vacations. Until next time, enjoy the gorgeous summer days as we move into August. This morning I noticed the sounds and smells of summer triggering those back-to -school thoughts. (Did I really just say that? I do need a vacation!)
