Friday January 25th, 2008
It is around this time every January when the rain and the dreary mornings promise that this month will never end, and the excitement of Christmas is only a distant memory that I get an itch., to go. Pack the kids in the car and just go. (We are swearing off planes for awhile post Europe)
When there is a vacation on my calendar however luxurious or humble, it is the point in my future that I can move toward. I can look forward to a week somewhere that is just different than my own city, and know that our lives will be richer and grander because of it. I can look forward to having my husband with us, unencumbered, for a week or so.
It isn’t as if taking a trip is the answer for everything. But I know my kids will make new memories in an unexplored place. And my life will now be blanketed between the looking forward to and looking back upon a time together. No doubt this time will be peppered with whines and tantrums, but perhaps the rest of it will be about discovery and laughter.
So, we are going here in June: not as balmy as Hawaii, nor as warm, but the California coastline 
holds it’s own beautiful perfection. We won’t be there during whale watching season and the water might not be warm enough for swimming, even in early summer, but there will be sandcastles, and seashells and bicycle rides. There will be, for certain, a trip to the aquarium, and hopefully some naps in the afternoons. There will be cold mornings and breezy evenings, and cups of coffee while watching the Pacific.
holds it’s own beautiful perfection. We won’t be there during whale watching season and the water might not be warm enough for swimming, even in early summer, but there will be sandcastles, and seashells and bicycle rides. There will be, for certain, a trip to the aquarium, and hopefully some naps in the afternoons. There will be cold mornings and breezy evenings, and cups of coffee while watching the Pacific.
There might even be dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant ever.
So, itch scratched; trip planned. A week with the ocean, my family and nothing to do is what I need, even if it isn’t for five more months.
Oh Sarah, that sounds (looks) wonderfully peaceful and relaxing. It will definitely give you something to look forward to through the winter blahs!
It looks like a wonderful place to go. I think anticipation is half the fun!
i think it’s a total january thing. i’ve been restless myself and wanting to get outta dodge just for awhile. vacation sounds like a great idea–something to look forward to. and monterey is so beautiful. i grew up in salinas, so…
A getaway sounds so good!!
Love, love, love the California coast. (As you know!)
Silly girl, you have a WONDERFUL get-away planned just around the corner. It is in March to be exact. Okay, so it is away from your family, and you have to hang out with me, but you will come home refreshed beyond belief and totally inspired. That is a fantastic feeling! At least it is a bit closer than June. Forty-nine more days!!!!
It is PLANNED, and that is what is important! Even if it’s still 5 months awaay! It looks like a beautiful place!
I love you and I am so glad that you are better about writing than I am. Thanks for your advice, your love for life, and your inspiration to me. Thanks for being my friend! I truly love you as my family.
i too have been considering what vacation is ahead- it is a january thing.
monterey is wonderful. your girls will so enjoy the aquarium. i always enjoy the quaint shops in pacific grove. great food always makes a vacation!
How fun for you to have that to look forward to. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing time.
I am trying to think of a getaway for our family this March. The beach sounds wonderful.
Sounds like something to look forward to for sure!
Fun! We had some friends who just moved to France that lived in Monterey—we were suppose to visit and we never did. Now I can live vicariously through you!
Won’t that be fun? I can’t wait to read what you’ll write! You always have such a way with words that I know I will feel as though I saw it with my own eyes. Can’t wait for you to go!