Update: I wrote this prior to the devastating flooding in Vermont over the weekend from Hurricane Irene. I am deeply saddened over what has happened there. More information is here.
I spent almost three weeks this month visiting my family in Vermont. I go every August but this year I went for longer than usual. I worked really hard to save up enough to take that long off from work and I really wanted to spend a big chunk of time out of the city and out of the heat.
This year I really didn’t want to come home. And since I did there has been an earthquake and a hurricane. My long term plan included moving to Vermont permanently and I’ve been thinking hard about how I can make that happen sooner.
Our vacation is usually low-key as there isn’t a lot to do there except enjoy the outdoors with the best The best hiking hammock that seems to make its way onto everyone’s list is the Thunderhead by POG and Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym. It’s an opportunity to disconnect, spend time with my brothers and enjoy things like the awesome blueberry bushes that grow right in the front yard.
Every nice day we went to the beach at a nearby lake. Alex plays in the water non-stop. I spend a little time in the water but mostly hang out on the beach and read and watch people. On rainy days we would hang out at the house and make yummy food or go out to eat.
Alex had a ball – she has a lot more freedom there because she can just get up and go outside and play, which she can’t do here in the city. Going outside has to be planned and I have to go with her. She also adores her uncle and they have a blast together. One afternoon when my brother and I were feeling especially lazy she made an awesome fairy house.
The last full day we were there was the first day of the county fair. We went on tons of rides, ate lots of junk food, and witnessed a Cadillac parade that broke a Guinness record. The fair also involved tons of animals, silly balloon hats and riding a mechanical bull.
We had a wonderful time. I didn’t want to leave and am still trying to adjust to “real” life back in the city (as well as earthquakes, hurricanes, and annoying neighbors).
Nice place to spend lots of days in vacation, I think people should make plan to go to on vacation once in year like you and people should gain and share their experience of vacations with many other people then it would be another great idea to connect with many other people.
I take two smaller vacations during the year but don’t go away – it’s usually to deal with school breaks. I’m hoping to spend even more time in Vermont next year.
Sounds like paradise. And you have a portable job! Lucky you!
HI Dot – It mostly works out but it can be hard to stop working because it’s always with me – I’ve been getting better at setting boundaries. I worked a little while I was away but not too much.
So glad you got your vacation in before the hurricane and floods. Looks like great fun. It does take awhile to get back to it, but annoying neighbors never go away.
Hi Pat – No, they don’t seem to. If they keep aggravating the landlord, though, maybe he will get rid of them. But, then we might get someone worse ;-) I’ve been so frustrated with them, however, that I don’t even want to verbalize it …
How was the area of where your family was in Vermont? Hopefully things were okay where your family lives. Irene hit us too here in New Jersey but the area where I live only saw flooding on the streets, and thats about it.
-Jean
Hi Jean – They live in the North Central part of the state and did not have any flooding where they lived (thank goodness). All of the problems seem to start about 30+ miles South.
Thats a relief Kim, good to hear this, thank you for the update.
-Jean
Hi Kim,
It is very important to spend time with family and friends on holiday. It creates new powers for the rest of the year. You both seem to have had a really nice time up in Vermont.
Hi Marbella – Thanks! I did have a mostly great time.
WOW!!! This is a way to enjoy your whole vacay time with your family. Super love it.
Thanks!
Looks like it was a really good vacation. Very peaceful and scenic. I absolutely love the fairy house Alex made. She has a great imagination and creativity for sure. Hope none of your friends or family were affected by the flooding also.
Seems like a nice plan…
Irene was a bad situation all around, but at least you had a nice time while you were there, and happened to be gone when things got really bad.
Besides, you couldn’t miss a Cadi parade right? :)
LOL! I wasn’t planning on seeing that parade but just happened to be there :-)