nisearticles (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nisearticles) wrote2005-07-13 11:22 am
nisearticles) wrote2005-07-13 11:22 am
[Marlin Democrat] Column -- Summer time, travel time
Summer time, travel time
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
July 13, 2005
Ah, summer. A time of hot days, plenty of sunshine, little rain, swimsuits and many travelers. The roads are clogged with RVs, cars loaded down with luggage, and motorcylists taking advantage of the clear skies. It's vacation season!
Tomorrow I join the madness of travelers as I take a short trip out of state for a long weekend with my boyfriend. I know where I'm going, but I don't know what I'm doing.
Since I was little, summer time always meant vacation time. We rarely went very far, usually choosing to stick close to the Central Texas area. Trips to Six Flags, Schlitterbahn and Austin weren't unusual. We'd pack up our things, fill a cooler with goodies, load up the car and head out for a few days.
For me, vacation was only vacation if there was a hotel with a swimming pool. I was never a great swimmer, but I sure did love the pool. I'd spend hours in it until I was all wrinkled from the water, then there would be the dash to the room that was always way-too-cold in my wet swimsuit.
Getting older, trips changed. Summertime became just as busy with things to do as the school year was. Vacation meant one night out somewhere, usually with a secondary purpose for being there. My time in the swimming pool dwindled to the point that I think its been over two years since I took a dip in that cool water.
Now here I am about to embark in an honest-to-goodness vacation. Plane tickets in hand, I'm headed out and away from everything. I'll spend three days just enjoying doing as little as possible.
Or, atleast I think that's what is going to happen. I don't really know for sure. I have the destination, but my travel-partner is tight lipped on the details of the days. Who knows what is under his sleeve.
I'm sure all women feel my pain when it comes to packing in this situation. Three days, no idea what is going to happen, one big duffle bag to be checked at the airport... oh and it has a weight restriction... and knowledge that activities could range from just staying in relaxing to hiking through the moutains.
I've made my necessary packing list. Several times actually. How can I get the most use out of the space available to me, and yet have a wide enough range of clothes to be safe in any situation? Not to mention all the other necessities of shampoo, make-up, toothbrush, etc.
I'm up for the challenge. i've succeeded in a feat such as this before, I shall succeed again. I'm willing to bet I will over-pack, in fact.
Yes, by the time I arrive at the airport I'll have everything packed tightly, securely and carefully. I'll probably be randomly chosen for extra security checking. My navel ring will set off the metal detector for the first time ever or something. Or better yet, I'll discover in all my packing I've forgotten the most important detail: my tickets and/or driver's license. Then there is the concern of your luggage ending up in a different location.
So much that could go wrong, and yet I can't wait for the adventure. I truely enjoy flying, and I itch to get back up off the ground. I remember the first time I boarded a plane I was scared to death. Now, there are the usual fears, but over all I look forward to the trip with anticipation. I'll spend the hour and half flight staring out at the ground below.
No night flights this time, sadly, which are definitely my favorite. That's okay, though. There are rivers to see, swimming pools to pick out, stadiums to eye with curiosity of where we are.
Upon arrival, I can't wait to see my guy. Haven't seen him in over a month, and I feel like it's long overdue. Then several days spent in beautiful scenery, a different time zone, and slightly cooler temperatures.
Coming home will be nice as well. Something to definitely be said about your own bed in your own home. My parents will miss me, and maybe my cat will, too. No more living out of a suitcase, and no more worries I've forgotten something at home.
No rush, though, on that. I plan to take it one day at a time and enjoy every second of my trip. Even the ones that are long and boring during lay-overs, and even ones that could be stressful due to circumstances out of my control.
It's vacation! It's an adventure.
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
July 13, 2005
Ah, summer. A time of hot days, plenty of sunshine, little rain, swimsuits and many travelers. The roads are clogged with RVs, cars loaded down with luggage, and motorcylists taking advantage of the clear skies. It's vacation season!
Tomorrow I join the madness of travelers as I take a short trip out of state for a long weekend with my boyfriend. I know where I'm going, but I don't know what I'm doing.
Since I was little, summer time always meant vacation time. We rarely went very far, usually choosing to stick close to the Central Texas area. Trips to Six Flags, Schlitterbahn and Austin weren't unusual. We'd pack up our things, fill a cooler with goodies, load up the car and head out for a few days.
For me, vacation was only vacation if there was a hotel with a swimming pool. I was never a great swimmer, but I sure did love the pool. I'd spend hours in it until I was all wrinkled from the water, then there would be the dash to the room that was always way-too-cold in my wet swimsuit.
Getting older, trips changed. Summertime became just as busy with things to do as the school year was. Vacation meant one night out somewhere, usually with a secondary purpose for being there. My time in the swimming pool dwindled to the point that I think its been over two years since I took a dip in that cool water.
Now here I am about to embark in an honest-to-goodness vacation. Plane tickets in hand, I'm headed out and away from everything. I'll spend three days just enjoying doing as little as possible.
Or, atleast I think that's what is going to happen. I don't really know for sure. I have the destination, but my travel-partner is tight lipped on the details of the days. Who knows what is under his sleeve.
I'm sure all women feel my pain when it comes to packing in this situation. Three days, no idea what is going to happen, one big duffle bag to be checked at the airport... oh and it has a weight restriction... and knowledge that activities could range from just staying in relaxing to hiking through the moutains.
I've made my necessary packing list. Several times actually. How can I get the most use out of the space available to me, and yet have a wide enough range of clothes to be safe in any situation? Not to mention all the other necessities of shampoo, make-up, toothbrush, etc.
I'm up for the challenge. i've succeeded in a feat such as this before, I shall succeed again. I'm willing to bet I will over-pack, in fact.
Yes, by the time I arrive at the airport I'll have everything packed tightly, securely and carefully. I'll probably be randomly chosen for extra security checking. My navel ring will set off the metal detector for the first time ever or something. Or better yet, I'll discover in all my packing I've forgotten the most important detail: my tickets and/or driver's license. Then there is the concern of your luggage ending up in a different location.
So much that could go wrong, and yet I can't wait for the adventure. I truely enjoy flying, and I itch to get back up off the ground. I remember the first time I boarded a plane I was scared to death. Now, there are the usual fears, but over all I look forward to the trip with anticipation. I'll spend the hour and half flight staring out at the ground below.
No night flights this time, sadly, which are definitely my favorite. That's okay, though. There are rivers to see, swimming pools to pick out, stadiums to eye with curiosity of where we are.
Upon arrival, I can't wait to see my guy. Haven't seen him in over a month, and I feel like it's long overdue. Then several days spent in beautiful scenery, a different time zone, and slightly cooler temperatures.
Coming home will be nice as well. Something to definitely be said about your own bed in your own home. My parents will miss me, and maybe my cat will, too. No more living out of a suitcase, and no more worries I've forgotten something at home.
No rush, though, on that. I plan to take it one day at a time and enjoy every second of my trip. Even the ones that are long and boring during lay-overs, and even ones that could be stressful due to circumstances out of my control.
It's vacation! It's an adventure.