what i did on my summer vacation

i never understood the meaning of vacation.  we never really took them when i was growing up- we took trips to visit people once in awhile but that was family and whatnot.  when family came to visit, we had picnics or went to a them park but my family never ‘vacationed.’  probably why i don’t do it well.  don’t get me wrong, i like to take trips to see things- museums, art galleries, etc, but i am not a big resort or cruise kinda gal.  and i won’t get started on how much i hate all things airport/airplane related.

i guess i wonder what it is people take a vacation from.  if you work a lot, i would think that staying at home for a few days would be a welcomed respite.  if you have a crap house and a crap job, odds are- you don’t get vacation time anyway.  my husband’s company generously rewards employees who qualify- with all expenses paid 4 days at a four or five star resort- usually in florida on the beach- but this year it was in puerto rico.  apparently, they tried mexico one year and folks got sick- so that’s not an option.  which- is fine by me.  did i mention i don’t like to fly?

what strikes me about resorts- the folks on vacation behave a certain way- like landed gentry.  the folks who work at the resort cease to be people and suddenly become indentured servants.  one of my husband’s co-workers was staying on a floor where security was called for domestic violence and the things i witnessed first hand- well, let’s hope that these folks don’t end up on youtube or girls gone wild!  another thing that strikes me- in the resorts we go to- and this may be because they cater to businesses i don’t really know- these sprawling, resource sucking palaces- the color ratio falls along these lines- white folks… vacationers; non white folks… workers.  it bothers me.  not that i begrudge these folks their jobs because odds are they wouldn’t have one without the resort, but especially in puerto rico- i got a colonial vibe.

it’s just my thought that instead of planning vacations around pretending to be rich and famous, maybe folks should concentrate on visiting family instead.  instead of taking a cruise to the bahamas- perhaps a road trip to see the newest edition to the family?  one thing i know for sure- i am not going to the convention next year.  it’s not my scene.

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Confessions of a Tree Kisser

We are back! What a wonderful experience it is to go to such a majestic forest, and spend time by the Ocean.
In terms of Forests, I would say the Redwoods are a masterpiece. These ancient forests take your breath away.

I really understood the expression “Can’t see the Forest, for the trees.” If you try to hug one of these trees, you’d be lucky to get 1/8 of the way around their massive trunks. These trees got both hugs & kisses from us!

Mmmmwha! ~ Fran spotted kissing a tree

Just being in these forests really does bring about a centered calm. We drove up a gnarly, one lane, two way backroad to get to this primo grove of mature forests. Perhaps people were slowed down & mellow because the forest has this effect ~ or because it was a steep, long drop over the mountain? Maybe it was a combination of the two? In any case, we were happy to savor the beauty of some of the finest forests, and tallest trees on the planet.


Caution! Getting away from it all may cause extreme happiness!

These are our visiting relatives ~ Grandpa Mac & Grandma Naida. I was impressed with how much respect & interest, the Veterans for Peace shirt Grandpa was wearing, commanded & sparked conversations. Grandma is an avid walker & at 85 can dust me on any trail!

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