we prefer to vacation in spring and fall and most always do a beach trip in the fall - many times near Charleston. My mother's illness will dictate that, depends on how she is doing. We will be doing some camping - those are usually closer to home, shorter trips.

Seabrook Island has been our choice the last few Octobers.

tina

What's a vacation? Our "trips" have always been to visit family (parents), but they're all gone now and I guess we should take a real vacation, but the concept seems so foreign.

Just like every year when we hit the dog days of summer the talk turns to leaving Louisiana for good. Retirement might be possible within the next 5 years, so it's time to start scouting new locations. Virginia and North Carolina top the list. Any suggestions welcome. Oh, and a Trader Joe's within a couple hours drive would be a definite plus!

I am flying to minnesota with the family next week to enjoy the very comfortable, not humid, not hot weather :) (DH promised). Mind you I've been to minnesota during the summer and I don't remember when it wasn't so freaking hot and humid I didn't want to drench myself in ice wine daily...but he promised it will be different this time because we're going to the "mountains" in the north or something (Giants ridge).

We'll see...If you are wondering if I'm me, I'll be the girl in the front of the line at the liqour store begging for ice wine....

Hey Igloo, why is that stuff so friggin' expensive? I saw a "small" bottle at a local liquor store for $60.

Vacation? What is that? Packer Lake week is our only vacation each year. Trips to the Bay Area don't count. My garden keeps me home this time of year.

May either go to Western Md Mountains( i.e. hills) for a couple of days and stay at a resort on the lake and hike and boat(no more camping in a tent for me) or take a week and head up to Mass. on a driving trip making a stop at Spec Pond for the 90th family reunion( never been) and then just wandering north for a bit.
or perhaps a staycation and rebuilding the front steps and railings.
so tell me about ice wine-- may need buckets!
and igloo I thought Minn. was flat???

We're going the St. Lucia with friends. Leaving Nov 8. Staying at a 5 star Mariott time share offered to us from a friend who recently got separated from her husband. All we had to pay for is maintenance fees. It was a no-braiier. As time is getting nearer, I'm getting very excited about total relaxation.

In September, I get to join my husband in Oakland--he will be there on business. I've never been there, so I hope to see the Golden Gate bridge, mosey around San Francisco, as well as Oakland...then at least a day touring around Napa Valley.

Can't wait. Napa sounds lovely...You know how some folks are beach people or some are mountain folks? I'm a very happy girl in the kind of country wine grows in--rolling hills, lots of sun. Never been to Napa, but I've been to wine country in France and Italy...ooh la la...My kind of scenery.

It seems all I have been doing is planning and taking trips this year LOL. We went to OH/Chicago in June/July , I had my bike trip for 2 months in Feb to Apr. Now DH is retired and I discovered VRBO. We are off ! We leave Aug 16th and head to Seattle for 5 days then Vashon Island for 1 week...will be cycling there all week as we won't have a car. Also my BiL and SIL are joining us from Bellingham and bring crabbing stuff so we will have fresh Dungeness YUM !. We will be kayaking and whatever else we discover to do there. Then we fly to San Diego for 4 weeks. Our one son and his new wife just relocated there and we will be staying a few blocks from them by Balboa park. My bike trip ended in San Diego and I am so excited to get back there. We will only have bikes there also so will get in a good workout .

We haven't planned a Fall trip yet :) c

Where were those gorgeous pics taken faron ????

September & October are New Mexico's most drop-dead gorgeous months, so it's the time when everyone wants to come and visit *us*! Our state fair is held in Albuquerque in early-September and it's wonderful, very picturesque and rated one of the best in the country. There are tons of art shows and fiestas, and then our International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in early-October. Later in October, comes the Santa Fe Fiesta . . . and Burning of Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) that Thursday night before the fiesta starts. But, I'm really, really hoping that we can head up to Taos for a long weekend in October. They have a fantastic art show there in the Plaza and the Wool Festival in Kit Carson Park one weekend.
Lynn

We're going to Florida in late November, week after TG. Our main point is to see my brother and wife and our nephew/DD's cousin, whom we've never met. And to get firsthand experience of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. We're staying in one of the poorest counties in the entire country, but will visit Everglades, Miami, etc.

Although we're getting a little spooked by the bedbug epidemic--DH doesn't want to spend any nights in Miami hotels because of the heavy NY tourist traffic. Having had a brush with them in Reno, of all places, we're aware of the stubborn YUCKINESS that an infestation can bring--we'll probably be safer out in Labelle!

Happy! We are about 2 1/2 hours away from Oakland. Google Grass Valley and Nevada City, CA. We have wineries and wine tasting everywhere and it is so beautiful here... Napa Valley is a valley. If you want mountains and hills, you need to come here. Lot's of Napa people vacation here.

No bedbugs either!

Mn isn't flat is it??? Sheesh they call it the "mountains" maybe it's just a bitty hill? I wonder if DH will live through this vacation (remember last year with the carving knife in the motor home anyone???)

Natal ice wine is a rare thing...the grapes have to be left on the vine later into the season, risking losing the crop so they don't set aside many for this. Then in addition to the late harvest issues, to get an ice wine they have to have a very sudden overnight freeze to freeze the grapes solid. They are harvested first thing the next day. The quick freeze concentrates the sugars in the grapes producing more of a wine liqour than actual wine. It's yummy :) But a good riesling will siffice in a pinch :OP

We're actually leaving during the most beautiful time at both of our homes oddly enough. To go to MN where it will be hot and humid (though not "in the mountains" where I will be right?). What the heck is up with DH and his family???? On the plus side, it was not hard to get a house sitter for either house LOL

Sigh. We don't do vacations. I'm taking time off work to prepare for Mom's party, then I might go to the coast for a few days. I guess since my job takes me out to lovely areas that helps me get some of the itch out...but I'm LONGING for a chance to swim in the ocean and lay in the sand.

We've been talking about going up to see DH's uncle who lives in NW Washington, or his other uncle who lives in Eastern Oregon, but those won't be vacays...just family visits, and if my DH has his way, we'd take MIL...no thanks.

Next year, tho, I'm aiming for a trip to the Mediteranean, maybe with my DD's, maybe solo. I've got about 5 weeks accrued vacation...seems I SHOULD take some time off for a real treat, huh?

We go to the beach in late fall or winter, this year around the first of December. Myrtle beach is so nice then, no crowds, but enough people to not feel deserted.
We walk for miles on the beach everyday and see people in the distance but never up close.
I'm not a hot weather lover!

I plan on going to the Smokies or North Georgia Mountains when the leaves change.

We usually go to the Caribbean in the fall to celebrate our anniversary. I started a new job yesterday so don't get a week off until Christmas. We'll probably do a long weekend at a B&B somewhere here in New England. We love our summers and falls here!

Just got back recently from Europe, then took road trips to NH and Cape Cod. We love to travel!!!

We're almost done with everybody visiting *us* (ex-SIL is letting my mom have the 2 kids 1 day when they come to visit her parents this week, I'm the kiddie social director!), so we're heading to my late godfather's/cousin's place at the shore for a week. I feel a little strange since the past 2 owners have both died in the last year, but the family needs the $ and I had told K at her father's funeral in Sept when she said she'd be renting it out that we'd take a week. Little did we know she'd pass before 12 months had gone by :-(

We've been staycationing the last couple of years, so I'm really hoping for a Caribbean birthday trip when DH has a his October vacation time. We've taken 7 trips to Belize in recent years, but this year Eleuthera has caught my eye. DH loves to bone fish, and that's supposed to be one of the best locations for this. And I love long, quiet beaches with solitude - and some snorkeling on the side.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that by the end of summer, DH will agree that we need the time away.

Like Golddust, I am chained to my vegetable garden for the foreseeable future. In October, after the frost has hit, I think we're going to go out to Cape Ann for a long weekend while DD is away at some debate competition.

CB, if you are in Western MA, look me up, hon. You can stay here as long as you like if you bring me Berger cookies!

Fly, the Everglades are my #1 Magical Destination. Absolutely incredible. And you'll be there after the rainy season. Wonderful. Have you been before? If you need any advice, shoot me an e-mail. Don't know what to say about the bed bugs though. That's pretty freaking scary.

Nice thread idea, Faron.

amy we will be in Springfield/Wilbraham MA if we go. will let you know! of course yes to the Berger cookies.

nanny2a - I have a family member who has a fly fishing adventure company that does custom small/private fly fishing trips internationally. Their bonefishing trips take place in Andros in Spring and Fall, when the bonefishing is at its best. I've not done the bonefishing trip, but the pics from those trips look like an amazingly good time for anyone who loves that sport. Sounds like you will have a great vacation!

Do you enjoy fishing as well? While I absolutely love the sport, I am a drag to take along as I can't do my own baiting or take the fish off of the hook. LOL Other than those phobias, love it!

Work, we must be related. I loved fishing but I retired from the sport after a German Brown got himself off my hook and started flopping around in my kayak - right in front of my face. I literally almost jumped out of my boat. My family loves teasing me about flying across the lake with my legs outside my boat, screaming. Fish have some mean looking teeth and I won't touch bait either.

Now, I go with DH and read to him while he fishes.

Three years ago I toured Vermont in the fall with my mom. Wrote all about it on my blog: http://unskinnyboppy.blogspot.com/2008/10/vermont-vacation-day-1-weston.html

This year I'm going back with my husband to celebrate our anniversary. Cannot WAIT to see sites like these again!

Oh yeah....The Beekeeper turned 50 in April and this is what we are doing to celebrate that and our new "empty nest" status that goes into effect in September. 12 night Mediterranean Cruise, with extra nights in Barcelona and Venice. Away from home and work for 16 days.

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Our View from our cabin:
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Yep, golddust, been wondering the same thing:)

When we were kids, our family went camping every summer. We had a "seasonal" campsite situated right on the lake. Our campsite included a very nice dock used to park our 15' canoe that DF managed (much to my DM's chagrin) to anchor to top of his VW bug every year. The second trip to the campsite for the season every year entailed bringing the rowboat. What a sight. No wonder my DM is still trying to block that particular memory.

My DF loved to take an afternoon siesta. The rule was no taking out of the boats whilst Dad was napping. Well being the absolute follow the rules type gal I am, I disobeyed his rule. I loaded the canoe with my rod and a half loaf of bread. Proceeded to bait my 3 prong-type hook with a load of balled up bread. Caught a huge a$$ bass. The catch presented a problem as I couldn't take my fish off the hook. So, I steadied the rod between my knees and proceeded to paddle back to the campsite. As I arrived, there stood my very AWAKE father watching me paddle like a crazy person across the lake. He was furious until he saw the size of the fish his DD managed to drown by dragging it behind the canoe in the water. Never again took the boat out (for fishing that is) while DF was napping.

Heck, wouldn't you think that after 40 years, the teasing would stop! There should definitely be a statute of limitations on kid behavior. I keep telling him that having the canoe at the ready was an absolute attractive nuisance!

Bee-
Can I see your boat??? Looks fun!

BCB77-
Those are lovely shots of that area!

Isn't anyone goin' to Hawaii when the long winter comes around?!?!
(If ya do...there's a little hotel on Maui I'd like to recommend...;-))!

Faron

oh don't I wish!! and if I did go you would get a box of macadamia nuts delivered to the paint guru, hardware store, Fargo, ND !!

WorkIP and Golddust,

I do enjoy fishing, and can even bait if necessary, but can't unhook, either.....sigh. And in spite of lessons, still can't handle a fly rod like DH does, so I feel like a real klutz. Only spinning rod for me!

Andros looks absolutely remotely lovely, and would be perfect for DH! He loves to fish the flats.

Still keeping my fingers crossed!

Coop...
Get your bu** over there and send me some CHOCOLATE-covered ones!!

BTW...The Lobby-Lounge at that "little hotel" made great $15 Colorado Bulldogs...Uffda!

Faron

Sure am~~in late September i'll be taking a scenic river cruise thru France, NOT! But I will be visiting my best friend of 40+ years back in IL. Maybe we'll go to a French restaurant. ;o)

We'll be taking our annual cross country road trip to Arizona in October. I've received such great responses to my post on that topic that I've added a few stops to our itinerary based on peoples' recommendations.

hey laydies I tie on my own lures and bait my own hooks. take fish off too- but not as interested anymore. I would like to learn to fly fish though- not so much for the fish but to learn the technique.
Now I fish a bit and read a lot when we go fishing- although we havent gone at all this summer.
Oh and my beautiful DD also loves to fish and takes care of her own tackle and bait! she doesnt read - she fishes.
I want to take off to part unknown for about 2 weeks- I have 6 weeks of vacation I wont get to use.sigh. I would like to pile the dogs in the car and hit the road.

I love to fish as does my middle son, and I can even bait the hook, take the fish off, bone and clean it!

All of our late summer/fall trips will be taking DD on college visits - Colorado next week (hoping for cooler weather), California in September, college visits/25th College Reunion at DH's and my alma mater in October (near Dallas), college visits in Florida in November, and more visits in Texas throughout the fall.

No money left for a real vacation as she is our third and they will all be in college at the same time!

Leaving for the beach house next week, praying for nice sea breezes!

Then, DH & I are off to Jackson Hole, WY just as soon as we get my DD and all of her "stuff" back to school in late August. Cannot wait for much cooler weather! I've about had it with this heat and humidity.

Love seeing so many of you who can bait and take your catch off of the hook!

Cooperbailey - are heading for Deep Creek, MD by any chance? My parents had a vacation place there for many years and we loved spending long weeks there.

We have a week in San Francisco at the end of October. And 2 weeks in the middle of September that we're still debating about where to go. We have a vacation home in upstate PA that we'll visit for a few days but then we might just hit the open road and see where we end up.

I went to Deep Creek Lake for the first time last fall. I look for places to go off-season with my dog so that he can go swimming. Lovely area.

Work may love seeing how many 'real' women can bate and remove fish but not me. Makes me feel like a wimp and I'm not generally a wimp!! LOL!

graywings- you read my mind! where did you stay on the lake? in a cabin? I would love the info. I was thinking of off season at Deep Creek so Cooper and Bailey could swim.
We have only camped at the state park.

When my parents and brother owned homes at Deep Creek they rented them out through Railey Real Estate and seemed satisfied with their services. Will 'O the Wisp is a nice place but I have no idea if they allow pets. We only lived about 1 1/2 hours away and I have many fond memories of our time there.
Maire

maire cate- thanks for the info. I had originally planned on going to Rocky Gap resort- but started thinking of off season and taking the dogs with us( RG isnt dog friendly)
DC is 3 ish hours away for me. We really enjoyed camping back in the day.
I can't believe how much it has grown since the late 80s early 90s!