The great American vacation is slipping away. The number of Americans taking off from work for less than a full week at a time has more than doubled since 1990. Fewer and fewer workers are willing to risk a full two weeks away from the job, fearing perhaps that they’ll return to find their sales trophy in a box and a stranger in their cubicle. Instead, vacations are reduced to a couple of days tacked on to a long weekend, like a housekeeping addendum to an inter-office memo. Worse, the more senior the employee, the more likely she/he spends some part of that mini-vacation in the death grip of a digital-communications device.   -Francis Wilkinson

I remember growing up the annual summer vacation was something everyone looked forward to and parents never dreamed of NOT taking a vacation. For us it was the trip from Ohio to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where my parents rented a cabin. They packed up the green station wagon with supplies for the week, made a bed in the back of the wagon with pillows and blankets so my brother and I could sleep on the long drive. Once there, no phones, no video devices and high tech gadgets. We boated, fished, swam,  played in the sand dunes, met other families, and became best friends with their children.  Campfires at night with plenty of marshmallows and chocolate bars for smores. Kids went to bed happy and tired from being outside all day and physically active. 

As the years progressed our vacations became fancier and locations more upscale. My fondest memories though are the summers at the cabin.

The Caves Negril, Jamaica

Villa Greanleaf Christiansted, St. Croix

Antigua’s Yepton Estate Cottages,    St. John’s, Antigua

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa,    Dominica

Little Arches Hotel,     Christ Church, Barbados

Ti Kaye Village Resort,   Castries, St. Lucia

Sugar Mill Hotel,   Tortola, BVI

Royal Plantation,   Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Sunset at the Palms,     Negril, Jamaica

Rendezvous Resort,    Castries, St. Lucia

We’ve been to Mexico several times before (me 5 X, husband 3x) and this time chose to stay in the Playa del Carmen area which is about 35 miles south of Cancun. We also stayed at an all inclusive resort, El Dorado Royale Resort and Spa, our first time for vacationing at an all inclusive. The resort is divided into 2 sections, the junior suites and the newer section the Casita suites. I knew from reading the reviews Casita suite guests receive the best service and have better amenities. We stayed in an Infinity Pool Casita Suite which was very nice!

When you walk into the room, to the right was the bathroom with double sinks, double closets, a glass swinging door that goes into the shower which was about 4 X 5 feet. Across from the sinks was a sliding glass door that opened to the roofless shower also about 4 X 5 or even bigger. We loved the roofless shower and used that one just as much as the inside one.

The room itself had high ceilings, wonderful bedding and linens, a table for 2, a Jacuzzi with a bottle of champagne chilling, cable flat screen TV with American channels, a mini refrigerator stocked with soda, juices, water, and beer. There was a sliding glass door that went out to the balcony which had a wonderful view of the Caribbean sea . It also had a table for 2 so you could have your coffee out there in the morning and read the paper. Ours had the plunge pool and there was a queen sized bed out on the balcony (out of the sun and private) if you wanted to take a nap after coming in from the beach but still wanted to be outside. That was very nice.

The resort has 7 restaurants and 12 bars. The Casita suite guests were able to make reservations at the restaurants, the Junior suite guests could not. We never had to wait in line for evening meals. Dinner was never rushed and the service and quality of food outstanding. Portion sizes were smaller than what we typically see in the US but you had more courses. I much prefer dining this way, leisurely and smaller portions. To get around at the resort there were trolley stops which would drop you off at the restaurant or main lobby, or you walked. We did a lot of walking!

What else can I tell you? Oh the beach was ok, a little disappointing, still damaged from the last hurricane. My husband and I both like long walks on the beach and it was difficult to do so here. But the beach cabanas with the king sized bed made up for it! In front of each cabana you had 2 lounge chairs so you could be in the sun or get out of the sun in the cabana, best of both worlds. There were also beach waiters that brought you drinks right to your cabana. Or you could leave the beach area and hang out at one of the many pools, all which had swim up bars. Most people did both, dividing their time between beach and pool.

There were several excursions you could go on, too many to list here. Since we’ve already been to Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, the ruins at Tulem on previous vacations we didn’t book any this time.

The snowbelt was very well represented here. We met many people from Chicago, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, several Canadian couples and lots of Brits. I was surprised at how many we met from the UK. All the Americans we met though had the same comments over and over ……what a winter from hell this has been! Record snowfall and frigid temperatures.

All in all it was a relaxing vacation and I’m glad we tried an all inclusive. I don’t think it’s the sort we would want to do all the time but for a winter escape from the cold climate it was a good choice.

Click on Flickr icon to see my photos.

13 days till we leave for Playa del Carmen, whatever this is better be gone by then! We did purchase the cancellation insurance though, can cancel for any reason and get a full refund. I hope it doesn’t come to that.

Off to the couch and listen to the Sunday political talk shows. Who’s up, who’s down, Clinton and Obama slugging it out and John McCain trying to unite the GOP. Entertainment at it’s best, maybe it will put me to sleep.

(Tomorrow is President’s Day, thought it fitting to change the header to the Washington Monument).

This is not a good day to be a dog , Poco is not liking this one bit. These wind gusts about knock him over when I try to get him to go outside. Poor little guy.

Our winter vacation can’t arrive soon enough!

In 1999-2000 I did some travel nursing assignments. The kids were in college, my husband traveled a lot for his job so what better time for me to do something I always wanted to try? My first assignment was at St.Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, WI working on the Cardio Pulmonary Thoracic Unit. (Hang on I’m getting to how this relates to my trip last week.)  I worked 3-11 shift and when I finally got home at night would check my email and turn on messenger (back then ICQ I think).  Would chat with an internet friend that also worked in health care from WV. We would chat for a few minutes commiserating over shifts from hell or if we were lucky a good night where there was adequate staffing and no patients crashing.  I got to know about her family and she mine. Both our Dads’ have ICD’s (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) so that was always a question, “how’s your Dad doing?” One summer I finally ended up visiting her. Met her family, got to see first hand health care delivery in a small rural town.  We’ve continued to stay in contact through the years. When I decided to do this road trip to visit Sarah in NC I knew the half way point would be somewhere in WV. So of course we discussed meeting for dinner.

That we did and it was so good to see her again   I’m pretty guarded on the internet but I have made a few friends along the way. Darla is one of them.  Thanks Darla and Cindy for dinner and let’s not wait 7 years to do it again!

Arrival on Thursday in NC. Sarah is now starting 3rd year residency! Yeah! Her fellow residents even covered for her letting her leave early since they knew I was coming in.  I met many of them  last summer when we were visiting. That was end of first year starting second year residency celebration at ‘Top of the Hill’, a restaurant/brewery in Chapel Hill frequented by graduate students, faculty, etc.

Now I have not met Sarah’s dog that they adopted a few months ago. It is a Greyhound. Most are rescued or adopted after their racing days. But in this case it was a female that did not chase the lure , so she was put up for adoption.  She is 2 years old. Now I must tell you I had some misgivings about taking my 3.5 lb Chihuahua to meet this 65 lb greyhound!

When we first introduced the dogs Poco was in my arms and Birchy (the greyhound) on a leash. I was not prepared for how BIG she is.  Friday when Sarah went to work I was there with the dogs! By the time Sarah got home from the hospital they could be left alone without watching them every single minute.  By Saturday morning they were wagging their tails when they saw each other. They shared toys and Birchy was very tolerant of this little dog in her face when she lay down. She would take those huge legs of hers and just knock him aside and yet Poco kept going back for more.  She also was an instigator stealing toys out of his bed. Poco caught on very early his size was  advantageous. When Birchy was after him all he had to do was go under a table, behind the furniture, and he was safe. She would stand there looking at him under the kitchen table, give up and go back to her bed. Then Poco would be at her again until they both tired out and were told to “LAY DOWN”. I swear it was like my kids again when they were toddlers and 17 months apart in age. 

And without further ado……..the dogs

10 years ago………the death of Princess Diana.

We had driven from MI to Baltimore taking Sarah to college as an apprehensive freshman at Johns Hopkins. Moved her stuff into the dorm, met her roommate a girl from Manhattan, NY. That evening we went out with her roommates  parents (freshman had to stay on campus and attend activities).  Was a fun night and late when we finally made it  back to our hotel. We went to bed immediately knowing we had to attend parents orientation the next morning.

Sitting in the auditorium that morning waiting for the President of the University to address the parents I couldn’t help but hear people behind us talking about Princess Diana and the horrible accident. I turned around to ask questions, in disbelief that Princess Diana was dead.  They looked at me like I was an idiot. “You didn’t hear the news last night”?  “Ahh, no we were out”. 

Every year on the anniversary of her death or when I hear parents talk about attending parents orientation I think about that auditorium. For me it will always  be intertwined.

Technorati Tags: Travel nursing – Freshman orientation – JHU – Princess Diana

I feel like singing the Willie Nelson song,  On the road Again. Leaving in the morning for North Carolina to visit my daughter and son-in-law.  I decided Poco was still too young to fly so I am driving, but taking it in two days.  Meeting up with a friend in West Virginia for dinner tomorrow night.  Then Thursday I only have 5 hours or so left to drive.  Hubby and son-in-law both flying in Friday night with same arrival times but coming from different cities. How convenient for Sarah and me that we only have one airport run to pick up passengers.

Poco had his distemper shot today (remember 3 weeks ago when he had the severe reaction?) Today he was premedicated with a IM injection of benadryl. He’s been rubbing his eyes a little bit  in the last few hours but no swelling thus far. I am not taking any chances though, the children’s benadryl  will be given tonight to be on the safe side.

I have to call AAA in the morning and check on road closures in Ohio due to the flooding yesterday. This weather has been unreal this summer! Hotter than hell and drought conditions over much of the US and now torrential downpours and flooding. And moving right along into hurricane season which seems to be off to lively start! Must admit though I am glad summer is about over.

See you next week

Technorati Tags: distemper reaction – flooding – weather – travel

VEGAS

The flight out was great! My first time flying first-class. Hubby gets bumped up quite often since he flies so much. Me, I never get bumped up, but this time I did. What a treat. Board the plane first and have a Bloody Mary while the rest of the people board. Keep in mind it was still morning, but what the hell, let’s start this vacation.

Flight uneventful, the best kind. Thank goodness for iPODS….kept me somewhat occupied on that 4 hour flight. The Las Vegas airport easy to maneuver …. definitely a nice little airport!

Get our luggage and step outside to meet our transportation. It literally took my breath away! I cannot even describe what 115 degrees felt like to this lady from the north! It may be dry heat but it’s still hotter than hell.

The MGM Grand was very disappointing! Not exactly what we thought it would be. But that’s ok since we didn’t hang out there all that much other than to sleep. The Bellagio, The Venetian, Ceasars Palace were all great hotels and casinos. We will stay at one of them the next time.

It is true, you see EVERYTHING in Vegas. The city of excess….. the adult playground. From the very stylish couture woman to the 250 lb one dressed in a micro mini-skirt having a good time away from home. I must say my jaw dropped a couple of times while people watching.

Some of the casinos allowed smoking, others didn’t. I wondered about that before we left actually since most places are NON-SMOKING. Sad to say I observed many people in scooters too fat to walk with heart disease or lung disease but they could still play the slot machines! The worst was a lady in a wheelchair. She had portable oxygen hooked to a tank in the back of the chair, the prongs in her nose delivering her 02 and she had a cigarette in her mouth!! That was disturbing for me to see.

We did a little gambling, won nothing (or lost what we won). We did enjoy the shows very much, especially KA. The shopping was great! I will never retire to the southwest though. Desert living is not for me. I was so happy to see green again driving back from the airport!

PUPPY

Got back Saturday night and off to pick up puppy on Sunday. Jet lag, unpacking, hubby re-packing getting ready to fly out again. No name puppy as of Sunday. He’s scared, he cries, but he’s cute and takes to me his new Momma.

Last night…..put him in one of the upstairs bathrooms in his kennel cab. He cries, and cries but only for short periods and then sleeps. We have a early morning….up at 5:30….out the door for airport at 6:30. I am so sick of this damn airport run! 100 miles round trip. I have done it 3 times in the last 6 days.

Back to the house this morning after 2 hour airport trip. He cries and follows me around non-stop. He sits on my feet. So far he only knows the kitchen and family room. He has peeked into the dining room, hasn’t seen the living room yet.   He will stand in the foyer afraid to venture any futher. He weighs 2 lbs, will be awhile before he can go up and down steps. We live in a 2 story (actually 3 with basement).  All the bedrooms and computer room are upstairs. He is happy as long as he can see me.

He used pee pads quite readily but I wanted him to go outside. He hated the grass, he’s so small, tickled his nose and he had NO idea what to do. Fnally we had success a few hours ago. He peed outside!! I am a happy camper. I praised him over and over and he about took off my face showering me with kisses. I think I might keep him after all. It’s been a long day, for me, for puppy, and for husband back in DC…….straight to work from the airport.

So without further ado, let me introduce …..Poco…which means little. Got to admit he’s so ugly he’s cute Told ya he’s not a blondie like our other ones. Check out that tail…the sable stripe goes down his back to his tail.

Technorati Tags: Vegas – hotels – puppy – Poco