Coastal Reflections

Vacation Observations

We returned from vacation last night and here are some things I observed along the way.......

* Siberian tigers are stunning and that description doesn't even do them justice.  (Side note: Sadly, they are almost extinct.)

* Koalas do look cute enough to cuddle.

* An overpriced tiger poster at the zoo is actually cheaper than a tiger poster at Hobby Lobby.

* A koala from Build-A-Bear is actually cheaper than a comparable koala in the zoo gift shop.

* Dh is a bigger clothes and shoe horse than most women (something I already knew).  This behavior was observed at the Quiksilver outlet, Burlington Coat Factory, and the Vans outlet.

* Nobody cooks/bakes like mommy.  A picky 7 year old will become even pickier on vacation because mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, waffles, blueberry muffins, etc. do not taste like (or as good as ) mommy's.

* 64 degrees feels like 32 degrees when you're used to FL's heat and wearing shorts all the time.

* Sliding out of intestines can be quite claustrophobic (for an adult).  http://www.edventure.org/m_eddie.asp

* Who would have ever guessed that public school field trips would be visiting every single place we did on the same exact days?????  We had an up-close and personal view of mass chaos and nonexistent adult supervision (chaperones).

* After the aforementioned  view of mass chaos, it was obvious why basically half of the exhibits/hands-on activities in the children's museum did not work.

* Being a paleontologist is fun. http://www.museum.state.sc.us/naturalhistory/fossil.html (Not shown on that link, but part of that exhibit.)

* The most comfortable bed and pillows are of course in the crappiest hotel of the trip.

* You can stop at a Goodwill, buy $19 worth of books for an avid reader who is pitching a fit for them, and said child will immediately ask for his Gameboy when back in the car.

* Wildfires do a lot of nasty destruction. 

* A morning newscast that states there are a couple of wildfires about a mile from your home will send you into a state of unbelivable stress and panic when you are at that moment 3.5 hours from home.  (Turns out the newscast was incorrect and the location was actually quite a ways south of us.)

* Riding along the interstate in SC and seeing a sea of trees on each side of you is much more tranquil than the sea of subdivisions and homes on top of each other that you see while riding along the interstate in FL.

* You can find farmland near a big city when you take a wrong turn.

* The designated map reader (me) will always be questioned a minimum of 10 times as to whether or not the directions being given are correct.  Never mind the map reader researched everything on Mapquest and wrote it all down plus has a detailed map of the city in hand.  (The aforementioned wrong turn was not my doing - dh went the way he thought we should go.)

* It took 7 years, 2 months, and 5 days for my oldest to knock over his first drink.  Who knew half a glass of lemonade could soak him almost head to toe and almost every bit of fabric on the chair on which he was sitting.

* Lizard's Thicket is awesome. http://lizardsthicket.com/

* You can return to find your house in a bigger mess than when you left.  A friend of dh's (through professional circles) did some remodeling stuff for us while we were away.  He was supposed to clean up (and told dh over the phone that he had even mopped) - I returned home to find my granite kitchen counters, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, cabinets, ceiling fan, sink, etc. covered in drywall mud and primer.  The tile floors were completely covered in drywall dust.  I left a detailed list of what he was and was not supposed to do - it was not followed.  Plus, he locked the outside cat in the garage (acidentally we're sure, but STILL) for 2.5 days and now the garage stinks.  The garage is so full of stuff for remodeling that we're not sure where all the cat used the bathroom or if anything has been destroyed/damaged as a result.

* The woman will do basically everything on vacation (iron, make sure everyone is dressed, pack bags for the day, etc.) while the man lounges around and watches t.v. 

Sounds like quite a trip!

09:39, 2006-May-14 .. Posted by CircleZ

I enjoyed reading your list. Sorry about the mess when you came home. I understand what you're saying about the school kids at museums. It must be a miracle if they learn anything on those field trips.

Untitled Comment

10:17, 2006-May-14 .. Posted by Carol

My friend, you have been missed. I'm glad you had a great trip. And I'm betting your guy was quite impressed with those Siberian tigers. Good to have you back.
~Carol

Hi

10:51, 2006-May-14 .. Posted by MyThreeDaughters

I'm sorry about the drink spill!

Yes, in Melbourne there is nice country near the city.