Vacation close to Home?  

Not as crazy as you might think

For those of us who believe that a vacation has to begin with a flight, the idea of driving an hour away from home, is not a vacation.  I drive further than that to shop.  However, with the world in lockdown, we have no choice but to consider the idea.

Last spring I made the decision to vacation close to home.  A friend had told me about a cottage resort near Algonquin Park.  I went on-line and discovered that they had experienced many cancellations from international guests, and they had openings they normally would not have.  

My husband and I discussed the idea of a cottage rental and quickly decided to give it a try.  Why not, we can't go anywhere else.  Ontario is a beautiful Province, why not see it again and again.

We booked a one bedroom cottage and had six weeks to wait.  

Now the fun starts.  I get to plan what to take, and make lists.  There was a list for groceries, meal planning, kitchen utensils, outdoor activities, indoor activities, and clothes.  Even though the resort website said the cottage came fully equiped, here are a few things that made it on my list.  

• two fans, one for the living room, one for the bedroom
• a card table for jigsaw puzzles and games
• a TV tray, because you never know when you need a extra table
• ice cube trays
• a blender for mixed fruity drinks
• a tray to carry snacks to the beach
• over-the-door hooks, there are never enough hooks

I used every single one of these items and more.  Fully equipped does not mean the cottage comes with things like, dish soap, hand towels, tinfoil, and ice cube trays.  

We had a great time. We planned a picnic on the way there, took morning walks everyday, layed in the sun by the lake, BBQue'd every night, and when I brought a tray of snacks to the beach, I was the envy of the Resort.  

There's no place like home, where ever to take it.

 

Spring is in the air.  You can feel the first warm breezes, the sun on your face, and the fresh smell of Spring.  My favorite day of this season is the first day I can walk out the door without a coat.  No more boats, scaves, gloves, or winter coat.  Can the capri's and flip flops be far behind?  

If you have a secret desire to get in your car and drive south until you see a flower blooming, then you're my people.

But alas, we cannot drive south of the broder in search of flowers blooming.  We can't even drive to the southern tip of Ontario, where I'm sure the tulips are cresting out of the earth, because we can't cross  lockdown zones.

We aren't making these journey's because we respect the regulations and most of all, we have a healthy respect for a virus that has deadly consequences.  We respect it, and we are "Adulting" throught it.  Being adults about it.

But those of us with wanderlust in our hearts are finding it very hard to be adults right now.  Spring is in the air! It makes us want to do crazy things, like travel.  I miss travelling.  Recently, I was travel shamed for suggesting vaccines would give us the safety to travel.  Travel Shamed!   Wow!  It's a first for me.  I've never been publically called out for my profession before.  I've always been so proud of it.  I love what I do for a living.  Helping poeple discover the best vacation or vist a sick loved one, or make the last trip of a lifetime memorable.  It's my job to keep you safe.  To prepare you and advice you for a smooth, safe trip.

By the way, noone is getting on a plane, and I'm not suggesting that any time soon.  That's my Adult advice.  The wanderlust child in me wants to have fun.  I want to walk on the beach and feel sand between my toes.  I want to sit on a balcony with a cocktail and watch the sunset over the ocean.    I want to sit on a plane and watch the ground beneath me disappear as we take off.  I want to step off the plane onto the tarmack and feel the blast of hot air.

And until we can experience all of those things, I want to walk out my door without a coat and smell spring in the breeze.

Thanks for letting me vent.