Wanderlust...

Since I have to be at work every day, these are the places I travel to in my mind...

My hope is to travel to many of these places in reality when time and money allow!

In no particular order...

California - top to bottom and everywhere in between
Hawaii - who wouldn't?
US National Parks - been to many; want to return with kids
Montreal - can't believe I've never been
Italy
Greece
France
England
Ireland
Australia
Bermuda - easy to get to; so clean; so pretty
New York - haven't been in a long time!

When "Down Time" is Thrust Upon You

It takes a tropical storm and a four day power outage to help you appreciate the daily conveniences we enjoy...but some great moments were imposed on us as well when Irene struck.  Once we got past the complaining ("it's too dark to find anything ...which cooler is the milk in...there is nothing to do"), we found ourselves together as a family; talking, laughing, bonded by frustration! 

Throughout the day we played endless games; a gift that doesn't happen often enough with the distraction of electronics just feet away.  As a matter of fact, it was during an enthralling round of "Risk" that we heard the snap of our maple tree as it fell toward our house.  While the clean up wasn't much fun, it's a memory that will stay with us.

Nighttime was seemingly the most limiting with no businesses open and diminishing batteries making it hard to get around the house by flashlight or lantern.  However, the beautiful weather in the days after the storm allowed us to spend evenings outdoors.  With no ambient light to interfere with visibility, the stars shone in abundance.  We live right near Route 1 so that is a sight only appreciated when the power is down.  Taking in the constellations in the star-filled sky was a gift to be appreciated! 

While we've enjoyed some of our best memories from hotels and beaches near and far, this particular summer vacation brought us together in ways unexpected!

Cape Cod getaways

As we get back to the hustle and bustle of the busy school year, images like this of beautiful Cape Cod provide the necessary tranquility of mind!

Sadly, I didn't get to spend as much time at the Cape this summer as in past years but the few visits we had were fabulous.  Overnight with friends in Barnstable, visiting Grandma in Dennisport and reuniting with the usual suspects on Craigville Beach were the best!  Of course we couldn't head out of town without a visit to the Country Store (if you've been there, you know what I'm talking about)!

Life is short...capture those moments!