T.G.I.V.
Thank Goodness It's Vacation!
I'm doing the rest and relaxation thing this week in smoldering hot Las Vegas! Gotta love it, this town has something for everyone. I know, I know, I say Vegas and most people think "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and they get flashing images of gambling, partying and the occassional naked body. Hey, nothing really wrong with those things in the right context, of course. But for me, thats not what Las Vegas is all about.
I've spent most of my summers here since I was twelve, along with three memorable years that I lived here in my early twenties so to me, the strip -while beautiful and entertaining, is only one small piece of what Vegas is all about. For me its about swimming pools, BBQ's, fabulous shopping, family and roller coasters. It's the best shoes and the hottest (literaly) fun. Clubs, shows, water slides.
Is that everyone else's impression of Vegas?
Isn't it funny how we all get different impressions of something, though? Its like a good romance. On the surface, yes, there is a strong, consistent image. Boy meets girl, boy wins girl, happy ever after. I don't know how many times I heard my Grandma question why I kept buying those romance novels when they are all the same picture, just colored with a different crayon. My argument, of course, was that that was like saying life is all the same for every person since we're born and die - so why live? lol
But romance is so much more. To some of us, it's inspiration. To others it's escape, others its a world unto itself. Each of us gets something special from the storys - and it goes without saying that each story is different, huh?
So lets hear it for romance LOL - I'm spending this week floating in the pool and reading to my hearts desire. There is nothing I love better than the sheer relaxation of it all :-)
So what's your idea of the perfect vacation? Does it include a romance?
Sounds Perfect!!
Tawny, have fun! Your vacation sounds wonderful! When my husband and I were still without kids, we spent a week on the island of Santorini, in a little B&B right on the beach...we just ate, slept, strolled the beach, or scooted around the island on a little moped. It was the most romantic vacation I've ever had. More recently, we spent a week in a cabin in Maine overlooking a gorgeous little cove. Every morning I'd get up early and curl up on a swinging settee on the front porch with a quilt and a steaming mug of coffee to watch the lobster boats head out for the day. It was so peaceful and beautiful...so I guess for me, anywhere near the ocean, with lots of downtime is a perfect vacation!
OOOOOOOOHhhhhhhhhh
Karen, this sounds like heaven! What glorious, rejuvenating vacations! Wow. I'm so drooling over the B&B on an island. We've done the B&B thing up in the Napa Valley -so beautiful, but an island just sounds like pure decadent relaxation. I love it.
The downtime is key- today I'm spending the day scrapbooking and relaxing.
Hi Tawny
Tawny--I'm glad you're having so much fun! Water slides, pools and shopping--excellent!
I've only been to Vegas a few times and one of those was when my son won the Nevada Cross Country championship--which was actually in Boulder, but close. It was one of the best experiences of my life. The kid worked so hard to achieve this and it was almost too scary to watch. I've also visited that Red Rock natural reserve area. In fact, I'm growing a Joshua tree in my bathroom from seeds I bought there. I've also been to all the big casinos, but have yet to see a show. I don't know what's wrong with me--I've lived in Nevada for 24 years, go to Reno at least once a montha and have never seen any kind of a show.
My idea of a perfect vacation involves my husband, great food, sight seeing and shopping. I don't care where.
Cheers,
Jeannie
Wild, isn't it
Jeannie, isn't it crazy how we rarely see the "sites" in our own backyard? I live an hour outside of SF and conference will be the first time I've been there in years. In all my years in and out of Vegas, I've never hit the clubs and only seen maybe two shows if that.
I love your idea of the perfect vacation :-) It sounds like mine too.
I wish I was there with you...
Sounds amazing. I haven't been to Vegas yet, but maybe one of these years...
Right now my idea of a perfect vacation would be pretty much anything except what I'm doing today, LOL. I had a wonderful weekend, and I was thinking to myself, "this is great. I love summer at home because we're having such a nice time, nice weather and doing vacationy things" but now it's Monday, and work, and another tough writing week, and I'd rather be where you are... *G*
Not that I'm bitter or anything. ;>
Sam
Awww
don't be bitter, Sam :-) It sounds like you're totally due for a vacation though! I do love the summer and the whole relaxation feel that it brings. To tell the truth, most of our "vacations" revolve around visits to family- this one included. It just always seems to happen that way. I'd love a trip up to the family cabin though - summer is best there. Just the woods, a river running by and a whole lot of peace and quiet. But... no time :-( And no gas money LOL.
No, I'm not...
Just kidding, there. ;)
I hope you're having a great time, because I know how hard you work all the other times!
Sam
;-)
I know you were kidding - I wish we could all have killer vacations! Each one fitting our ideal dream.
I have been writing while I'm here though - which is going pretty well. Although the day in the sun and chlorine definitely fry my creativity a smidge LOL
Lovely, Tawny!
Anywhere with my family and good babysitting, good food, very little planned, and a chunk of my TBR would be a fabulous vacation. I used to think I'd be this traveling maniac--that I'd want to see the world--and I wouldn't mind, but I'm also a bit of a homebody, and it's OK with me if we stay closer to home, too ;) Anyway, enjoy your time off! And enjoy your reading time!!
Homebody's Unite
Fedora, I'm a total homebody too. I think thats probably why most of my vacations revolve around family LOL - there is a major guilt factor in NOT going to see everyone often enough.
Besides, N. California has so many great places to see & do, I find it pretty easy to justify staying around there and having fun LOL.
So I think your idea of vacation is perfect... although just once in awhile, I'd really love to try Karen's LOL.
Believe it or not...
we're considering going on our first ever vacation this summer. I had to drop out of Nationals, but we're looking into crashing for a day or two, just to see folks. See friends on Fri & Sat, sightsee as a family for the weekend and drive home. I'm getting really excited about it. It took us 13 years--yeah, workaholic much?--but how great will it be to finally see the Golden Gate Bridge?? And since I'll have hubby, it better be romantic, lol.
Dee
Bummer but YAY
I'm so bummed you won't be at National, Dee- but YAY on a real vacation! and your first - wow. I'll bet its fabulous and the GG bridge is always romantic :-D You need to take lots of pictures!
Oh, I still plan to hit the hotel...
If we can pull it off, I'm emailing everyone I hope to see and going to check if we can have some sort of mini-bar party or something. Or a LOT of lunches!
I'm hoping to find as many Smokin' Sisters as I can!
Dee
Hope to see you!
Dee, do let me know if you're around. I'd love to say hi :-)
Books on Vacation??
I don't remember my actual honeymoon (actually I wasn't reading romance then) but I do know I took a couple of romances along on my 10th anniversary get away.
And I took one on my 15th anniversary get away also (only overnight).
Vacations are made for books!
ani
books rock vacation
Ani, I know I didn't take any along on my honeymoon *g* but like you, I've always had books with me on any and every trip since.
Nothing says relaxation like a book, huh?
More to Vegas than the neon
My husband and I loved to vacation in Vegas. We go to the national parks, find out of the way places and generally enjoy ourselves. Our biggest jackpot was $15 in nickles!
So, I understand your love of Vegas. Enjoy the pool!
Jackpot!
LOL on the $15 - thats a LOT of nickles. The national parks must make vacations beautiful. I'll bet thats a sweet relaxing trip being surrounded by such beautiful nature.
Nickel slots
I was at Lake Tahoe once playing nickel slots and I won! I mean, I won BIG!! They were pouring out and I needed an extra bucket for all of them!
I couldn't find my husband but proudly took those two buckets up to be cashed in.
I swear Rockerfella couldn't have felt any more rich than I did, standing in line.
When all was said and done, I won $27! LOLOL
I still remember that feeling of I WON!!
ani
Quantity rocks
ROFL Ani. I can imagine the excitement of that waterfall of silver! I've seen people win slots and its so fun - the noise, the flashing lights and all the money!!! that had to be a great feeling, and hey, $27 is good money ;-)
Sounds like fun!
Hey, Tawny! So glad to hear you're having a fabulous time *g* Floating in the pool and reading sounds like my idea of a perfect vacation :-)
I do take romances with me on vacation or even one of those day trips to the lake. I love sitting by the water and reading. So relaxing!
The key to relaxation
Beth, I agree- books by the water are an awesome recipe for relaxation. I love books in the woods, too. Or books by the fire. Or books in a cozy four poster in a B&B... heck, I guess books are the key to an awesome vacation, wouldn't ya say?