A few weeks ago FD Tiffany asked for pictures of our week long vacation last August to New England. In finding those pictures hidden in a remote folder on my computer, I took a minute for a memory and smile. We have taken a few family vacations in the past but this one had something special attached. Perhaps it was all the laughing that we did; maybe it was because none of us had been to Providence, Boston, Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor, and Acadia National Park before…yeah, all those made it special but I think it was the realization that it was most likely the last vacation we would spend as a family, just the four of us (BTW, I don’t think I ever thanked Mark and Tammy for giving us that week with our kids).

It all started with an idea for a weekend getaway. We have done those in the past…this one turned out more fun. We discussed several options and ended up planning a New England trip. Tiff had a few days to get out of NYC, Tyler could also venture away from Austin. We decided to go northeast. We all agreed, in fact we all agreed that each of us take an assignment to help plan the trip. Tyler was assigned Boston, Tiffany was assigned Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor, Mom was in for the travel arrangements (air, train, car rental, hotels, and B&B’s), and I was assigned exploring Acadia National Park.

I realized it was going to be a goofy week because of the plane flight to start it all. Mom and Tyler (I’m thinking both would rather paint door trim than take to the friendly skies) started flapping dollar bills over their heads as soon as the flight attendent annouced cocktails, beer, and wine were for sale. The trip ended with a flight home much like it started, except I didn’t wear Mom’s cocktail in my lap like I did on the way up. Needless to say, those two where not feeling the air turbulence whatsoever on either leg of the trip. In between, we went on urban walks (Boston’s Freedom Trail), nature excursions (Acadia), to sea in search of the elusive whales (and they were – Cap’n Fish’s boat tour), rode a horse-drawn carriage on a road built by a Rockefeller (Acadia), discovered a Thunder Hole on the coast line (Acadia), had a few microbrews (the entire week), watched a fog-obsured sunrise on Cadillac Mountain (Acacdia at 5:00 a.m.), ate lobster rolls and crab cakes whenever the mood struck us (again the entire week – Tiffany and I consumed in excess of 14 pounds of lobster – the roadside stand Red’s Eats was best…Lobster Dock was a close second), and most of all…we laughed (which seemed to be nearly every waking moment and even in a few dreams).

And golly jeepers did we laugh. I laugh now about how much we laughed then. We laughed because of the fun being had; and we laughed to cast off our life frustrations and disappointments we brought to start the trip.

We’ve always enjoyed traveling as a family (I think). Differences, irritations, and stresses seem to fall to the side. Tiffany makes it fun because of her quick study of destinations, cultures, and histories…and her unselfish willingness to share that knowledge. A laid-back, “chillin'”, sarcastic, dry wit life perspective that enlightens Tiffany’s trip narration makes Tyler fun to travel with (once he’s off the plane). Mom allows our fun because of her incredible talent for trip arrangements – she can find the travel deals that let us spend money on the fun and not so much on the getting there. Me, well I tag along for the fun, to be entertained by the goings on of all of us, fulfill the occasional stick-in-the-mud role, and for the laughs. Perhaps soon another family vacation will happen again.

Next vacation Mark and Tammy might join in on the fun (if they’re up for the challenge). We’ve done that once before – all six of us – but that didn’t work out so well (but that’s OK you guys…when can talk later). I’m now thinking that vacations with adult children are more fun than a trip to Disneyland with kiddos.  

tm