Extended Christmas

Vacations are like an extended version of Christmas.

The anticipation starts months before the ‘big day’ and continues to climb until everyone piles into the vehicle to leave.

Just as with Christmas, children don’t have a clue to all the ‘behind the scenes’ maneuvering that must take place before the event. Making sure the bills are paid, the vehicle is road-worthy, the house, flowers and yard is looked after by neighbors, the laundry done, the identification paperwork completed, the reservations made, the VISA and Line of Credit paid off and ready to be ‘racked-up’ yet again so that everyone can have a great time. Michael and Jenny prepared for our trip in like, less than a half hour (and that included laundry and packing).

Me, I am still packing the trailer of all the essentials that will probably weigh enough to blow all the tires on the trailer before we get down to the end of our street. After all, I need at least two stock pots for all the lobster and such that we (I mean I) will be cooking. I had to buy a laptop so that I can keep you all informed along the way (we’ll see how THAT works out) I acquired a guitar for all of our nights that we will be spending around a campfire. Not sure if I will be able to read the ‘how-to’ books in the dark, but I am confident no wildlife will venture near.

Yep, only a few more hours remain to cram all the food that two teenagers could possibly manage to eat (that should last us at least two days until the next grocery stop) into the fridge and cupboards of our fifth wheel (this is where the vacation is going to cost us, hence the VISA).

Bailey is already sitting in the truck, and will remain there all day if need be, just in case we dare leave without her (like that’s going to happen?), casually looking the other way when I walk by to pack the trailer. She thinks she’s riding shotgun with her beloved Henry…let the games’ begin.

By the time we are ready to leave, I will be more tired than on Christmas Eve and will require a vacation. Oh wait, we ARE on vacation!

Maps are printed, time-lines estimated, and camera ready to document almost every moment.

One spouse, two teenagers, one dog, two guinea pigs…more than three weeks sharing quite a small space together. More than the word “PRICELESS” comes to my mind.

The vacation will be fun, memorable, and most definitely worth the days of preparation and time off work (sorry Bill).

As with Christmas, vacation time will come and go, the ‘blues’ will settle in when we say, “I can’t believe it’s come and gone already”.

At least we will have the pictures that we can post to Blogger for everyone to see.

Merry Christmas…