Vacations

The infinity pool at the Hilton in Guam. I finally made it to paradise.

For the longest time, I just wanted to see the world.

Once I earned my Private Pilot License, I used it to fly over to Venice Beach, Florida.

My Cessna 140, N2440V, a two seat “Taildragger” I owned and flew all around Florida. I even flew up to my parent’s house in Gainesville to do laundry….

The runway was right next to the beach, so I could tie down my Cessna 140, take my kitchen strainer, and unearth hundreds of shark’s teeth in the surf.

http://www.mooneymart.com/siteintro/localattractions.php

Working on flight licenses, there never is money leftover for vacations. But, when life is one big vacation it doesn’t seem so bad. Then reality set in.

I was married to a man who could spend every cent we earned. Expensive hobbies like salt water fish tanks and radio controlled airplanes and sailing and gliding took everything. I wasn’t as angry as I should have been – I just wanted him to be happy.

NO, I wasn’t the happiness guru…I just hoped he would figure it out – that things don’t make you happy – happiness comes from inside yourself. Oprah‘s Lifeclass: The Tour, stressed that big time, as do all the major gurus of our times.

 http://www.oprah.com/oprahs-lifeclass/oprahs-lifeclass.html

When we divorced, things changed. I started saving money for vacations. One of my first vacations with my daughter was out to Cannon Beach, Oregon with old friends, Lyle and Marge.

http://ci.cannon-beach.or.us/images/Pictures/Rock%2520shadow.jpg&imgrefurl

On the DC10, I flew to Hawaii for the first time.

“My” DC 10. I started giving “safety time” my second day on the airplane. Is that legal? More like the blind leading the blind! Then the head of DC10 ground training came along one day…Bob Mielke. He signed me off to instruct on the line.

When I married Kevin, Hawaii’s Turtle Bay became one of our favorite vacation spots. http://www.turtlebayresort.com/ 

Our honeymoon in Maui…

Turtle Bay, Hawaii. Darcie and I took hula lessons, art classes and made leis while Colt and Kevin napped.

We actually had money to travel. And travel we did:

England, Scotland, Canada, Florida, Caribbean cruises and driving trips around the United States.

Buckingham Palace

Kevin and Darcie at Disneyworld

Yes, our kids were spoiled, according to their friends and cousins.

Darcie bought Colt a lei…

But we had so much fun wherever we were – home or away. Well, most of the time…

Teenager attitude…what are you gonna do?

I think he wanted a banana?

Kevin and the kids lived to ride roller coasters…while I took pictures!

Yes, we were bad parents letting our kids walk on the train track…and yes, it was a live track!

It took forever to walk to this tea house in Canada…uphill all the way.

The “castle” on Lake Louise

As much as I love home, I have to agree with Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations: the world is always a little better when you can walk in someone else’s shoes.

My brother and I always did love to wear other people’s shoes…

Winter on the farm.

Besides, what else are you going to do during the cold winters of eastern Oregon unless you travel?

Yes, life is still just one, big vacation and getting there has been half the fun!