The farther away I get from my days of traveling abroad, the more I have come to appreciate one aspect of my holidays more than any other. It’s not the beaches, though I definitely long for warm sunlight and rolling waves. It’s not the sight of palaces, carved stone and preserved marble to admire. It’s not even the variety of local dishes that we dearly miss – fresh seafood, freshly made pasta, paella, or a glamorous high tea served with sparkling champagne.
Most people dream of warm, sunshine-filled holidays – vacations chock full of waves lapping the shore, cold drinks and tan lines. A little rest and relaxation, a little culture, a little sightseeing, a little luxury. But then, there are those who decide a holiday might be pleasant in a new place, on a new adventure, something a little out of the ordinary – and off-season.
With COVID-19 showing no signs of letting up any time soon, my family was recently overcome with cabin fever. Our toddler stoutly refuses a mask, a gaiter, bandana or face covering of any kind, (heck, he won’t even wear a hat), so our options for a getaway were pretty limited. No air travel, since our little guy won’t comply with a mask mandate, no flight to Europe in any case (since Americans aren’t exactly welcome) and a long drive wasn’t happening (toddler, as I mentioned) … so, what were we to do?
Typically, we’d be traveling this time of year. Autumn is a favorite time of year for us to pack some coats and gloves, get out of town and go on an adventure. The weather in Texas is mostly the same in October as it is in August, so a trip to a locale with some fallen leaves, cooler temperatures and an excuse to put a chunky sweater to use is always welcome.
A getaway. That’s what we’ve been craving during the coronavirus craziness – an opportunity to escape the confines of our houses and masks and the constant bad news online and on television. I booked us a cabin in a park full of socially distanced cabins. Trees, paths, wilderness, woods, some time in nature and away from our big city lives.
Strange things start happening when your passport is basically useless. Check any travel map, and it appears that the world is blacked out if you hold an American visa. Stay out. Not welcome. Scram!
Los Angeles is one of my favorite places to go for a long weekend. Everything about a visit to L.A. sings the sweet song of vacation – the sunshine, the beach, the other tourists scrambling about taking pictures. It’s a strange place, but a beautiful one and the perfect place to make an escape.
My partner and I recently visited Houston for the first time since we left Texas for Canada over two years ago.
People say, “it’s the little things.” And, it always is, isn’t it? The small, day-to-day trifles of life end up making the biggest difference in your happiness, your comfort, your feelings of “home.” The things that you barely think about, the situations and items, places and systems that hardly register as part of your life – these little things – well, they’re the big things.
“I don’t think this place is ever dry,” my husband says as our little car takes another curve on the winding, nausea-inducing Yorkshire roads. “But, that’s probably why everything is so green,” he continues, taking yet another curve a little too fast for my stomach.
