Vermont (and New Hampshire), Here We Come!

My husband and I have a tradition of sorts.  Almost every summer, we take a vacation the week before Labor Day.  In years past, one or more of our offspring accompanied us.  But now that the kids are grown, and the majority are married, it’s only us making the trip.

But we faced a dilemma.  Where to go?  Visit our daughter and her family in the Tampa Bay area?  Being there during the Republican National Convention might be interesting, even though they live in Belleair, far from the action.  That’s fine with me–when I’m on vacation, I like to be on vacation mentally as well.  However, the Floridians are coming here in a month or so.

How about lovely Rhode Island?  We’ve never been there, and Newport is supposed to have some awesome scenery in the area.  Yet, accommodations are a bit expensive, and it’s a longish drive.

There’s also the old standby, the Catskills.  My hubby and I are familiar with the area,  the mountains are quite picturesque, and the fresh air is a welcome attraction.  One drawback is finding a place to stay that meets our needs without being overly hard on our wallets.  (We are not picky, don’t get me wrong.  Give us a good pool, a fridge, and a pleasant place to sit outside a reasonably comfy room and relax and we’re happy.)

Green Mountains, Vermont

Then our younger daughter mentioned a one-day air fare sale.  Even though the special was no longer in effect, my husband asked me to check out flights to Burlington, Vermont.  I did and–lo and behold!–discovered we could fly there for not much more than the cost of a taxi to the airport.  Not one to let a good opportunity slip away, this eager vacationer booked the flights without a second thought.  I began to have delightful thoughts of beautiful Lake Champlain and the scenic Green Mountains.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

Until my husband had another brainstorm.  New Hampshire is only a couple hours’ drive away, remember?  (We have made the trip before.)  Why not stay in one of the charming motels in Littleton?  So the mountains providing a backdrop to our late-summer vacation are changing from Green to White.  And this trip is looking better and better.

I only know how hard it will be to come back…until next time.

If I Won the Lottery…

I heard a news clip on the radio this morning.  The journalist was asking people what they would do if they won a mega-millions lottery.  There were answers like world travel and beautiful homes.

It started me thinking.  There are places I’d love to visit.  South Africa.  Alaska.  Israel.  (The reasons are as varied as the locations.)  And there are things I’d like to buy.  New furniture.  Flooring for at least one bathroom.

But then I thought about my ankles.  They’ve given me headaches (or is it footaches?) in the past.  But this winter, both of them decided to wreak havoc in quick succession.  My left one seems to have developed a torn ligament or two.  Because I found life too interesting, or too busy, to take a step back until notable damage was done, ankle #2 staged a protest.  It simply did not like having to carry all that excess weight and developed intense swelling and pain.  The result?  I am unable to walk unassisted, and must undergo physical therapy.  (The initials of this treatment, according to a practitioner, stands for Pain and Torture.)

So what would winning mega bucks really do?

But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like the money.  I’d love to share it with the kids and grandkids.  And, when I’m back on my feet, there’s always South Africa…