In five short weeks school lets out for the summer. Two days after that the PLRH family packs up and heads out for vacation. We’re going to the mountains of North Carolina to stay at a relative’s summer house for a week. I’m looking forward to fishing, hiking, relaxing, photo opportunities, and cooler temps.
Just thinking about all those things makes me nostalgic for the summers at Pines Lake. We never went on summer vacations like other families. No trips to visit out-of-state grandparents. No trips down the shore. No trips to Williamsburg or Disney World. Oh, we did go on vacation but it was always at other times of the year. Summer was solely dedicated to life at Pines Lake and I loved it.
Summer vacation used to mean spending every waking moment in a swim suit. My friends and I would swim, dive, canoe, fish, catch turtles & frogs, and eat ice cream every day. As I got into my teen years, summer also meant early morning long-course swim practice, afternoon swim practice with the lake league, and eventually lifeguarding. Evenings were filled with after dinner swims, exciting summer movies, baseball games, and giant ice cream cones at the Old Milk Barn.
Now twelve weeks of summer fun needs to be crammed into one week. The rest of the summer is filled with responsible adult stuff like going to work, cooking dinner, and harassing the kids about their summer homework assignments.
Perhaps “crammed” isn’t the correct word to use. During our week-long summer vacation I plan to savor as much as possible. I want to relax and not think about work. I want to sleep with the windows open and feel the breeze on my face as I sleep. I want to wade in a fresh water stream (something that isn’t wise in Florida). I want to spend all day with my husband. I want to watch our kids act like kids. I want to stay up late with my family and watch the stars.
That’s my plan for my summer vacation.
What are your vacation plans?
Photo: Annual swim from West Beach to South Beach including flipping the canoe with the swim coaches.
8 comments:
Oh my God. Your childhood summers sound divine. All children should spend their days like that.
Our summer will be mostly spent at home, with the sprinkler on and homemade popsicles/ice cream in the freezer.
Summers in Pines Lake; sounds like heaven!
Summer here is pretty great. Yes there are tourists but only in town and I live far from there. There's still work and all that, but it's fit in around the beach and all the great fun stuff that happens here all summer. One of these days you've got to come see for yourself!
And your week in Carolina?? That sounds wonderful too!!
Your childhhod summers were heavenly...how could anyone match that?! I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing and fun vacation.
Oh wow... all of those things sound so heavenly!
This summer I plan to fish lots of lakes and streams. Sometimes that involves nothing more than wading around "looking for a good spot for next time." ;o)
I also plan to hike alot and take at least a billion pictures.
I would love to take a whale-watching trip in AK next month; we'll have to see what my travel fund looks like! It's pretty empty right now! :o)
Count me among the friends here who are envious of your childhood summers and of your upcoming vacation plans! I hope you enjoy your trip - you deserve it!
We don't have anything planned yet, but I'm hoping for at least one weekend away with Husband (and without my little ones). The idea of having some uninterrupted quality time with him sounds about as good as it gets.
sounds like fun. I still can't figure out my plans. I loved endless summers. those seem to be lost. But we can take a week or two and remember.
Is the Milk Barn still there? With all the initials carved into the tables, seats and walls????
Our vacation isn't till November.
We are going to visit with the grandkids and meet the lastest one. It's been two years since we were able to go, so I can't wait!
Hope you have a nice vacation, it sounds lovely.
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