Vacation Yearnings

Our week on the Oregon Coast was really enjoyable. We had excellent weather for the area and time of year. The highs were in the 50's and 60's (one day it was 70) with no wind. It's almost unheard of not to have wind at the Coast. We put in enough time with wind at home on the prairie that it was a really nice break.

I'm homesick for vacation already. I do a lot of planning and organizing to make sure our vacations go off without a hitch. We also make a point of doing a lot of relaxing and napping so we don't get burned out during trips. Besides, we just really like traveling.

This year vacation had a different dynamic. We sold our house just prior to the start of our trip. That meant there was a lot of emails, phone calls and faxes between us and our realtor while we were away. I became familiar with the Newport, Ore., library for printing off forms and the local Staples for sending faxes. I'm glad we sold our house, but working during vacation takes something away from the care-free feeling you should have.

Another way vacation was different this year is because it marked a change in our lives. We left Post Falls with a spotless house in preparation for more showings and an inspection. When we returned, we realized that for the first time in seven months we didn't have to keep the house "showing ready" anymore. It felt like we were given our lives back. I could once again leave the house on a whim without doing dishes, cleaning toilets or picking up toys in case of a last-minute showing. We discovered we had a lot more free time.

Most of that free time is now taken up by packing and preparing for moving in less than a week. We still are stuck in a vacation mind set, yearning to have a fun family weekend routine (something that went by the wayside when the for sale sign went up). Each Saturday brings comments like, "Let's go the the (Portland) Saturday Market, then get some dim sum for lunch," or "I bet there's a good sushi bar by the Saturday Market." Munchkin thinks he sees lighthouses all over town and repeatedly asks to go to one. I'm having withdrawals from my daily cup of clam chowder or two.

I know once we move and have yard work and decorating to do, we'll get new routines started. Until then, we'll be dreaming about our return to the Coast. As DD says, we can go back. Next year.

Better than Christmas

Don't get me wrong. I like Christmas. Are there many people who don't?

What I like better than Christmas is vacation, especially our annual trip to the Oregon Coast. I think it is because I have more control over vacations. I get to choose where we stay and what we do (DD gets a little say). And vacations last longer. Instead of one day, we get a whole week to enjoy.

I've got this year's trip mapped out. A day of driving to Portland. One night stay in the city, with stops at the Saturday market, the House of Louie for dim sum, Uwajimaya, and the hobby store (DD's choice). Then we'll head out through Tillamook for ice cream, cheese curds and pepperoni sticks. A couple hours down the coast and we'll reach our destination.

Each year we rent a vacation house with our friends. We check out houses and reserve them through the Internet. This year's house promises to be oceanfront with sandy beaches. There should be lots of room to spread out and we'll be within walking distance of a lighthouse and bay front attractions. It's always a bit of a risk and we never know exactly what we are walking into, but I think this year will be the best yet.