Sunday, May 23, 2010

Weekend Getaway...

I love to go...away from home. To spend relaxed hours with treasured friends or family. To escape the reality of never ending to do lists, errands and laundry. I also love traditions. The rituals of a holiday, a first day of school or the celebration of a decade or decades. Last summer my mom hit a mile marker and we packed our bags and headed to DC for a whirlwind tour of our nations capital. This year I am much anticipating a possible cruise as I ring in 3 decades of my life. And we did not want Tori to miss out...so away we went.

St.Augustine, for those who don't know, is the oldest city in America to have continuous residents. It was founded by Ponce de Leon and some of the oldest structures in America remain in this tiny seaside city. Better yet its a mere 4 hour drive from our house and therefore makes the perfect getaway - not too far to cost a lot but far enough to feel that vacation like experience.

LeShayne's Rules of Vacationing:

#1 - Always eat at touristy restaurants - both chains and non-chains alike. Make sure that at least once on your trip you eat a giant pile of pancakes or french toast with warm maple syrup!

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#2 - Always check your hotel bed for firmness...by jumping on the bed.

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#3 - Learn something new. For example - this fort called Castillo de san Marco has been around since the 1500's. And the walls are made of coquina (aka shell mud). And to this day the cannons fire daily.

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#4 - If you are going to walk a long ways its important to stay fueled.

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#5 Old things are cool things. There is something powerful about walking in the place where hundreds of years worth of people have walked. This picture was taken in the oldest American drug store. Look at that awesome cash register!

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#6 The beach is a happy place. Okay maybe its my happy place. I seek them out whenever possible. The feel of sand between your toes and wind in your hair and that salty relaxed atmosphere you can actually smell in the air - good. The laid back, life has no cares or troubles, attitude the beach brings - fantastic.

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#7 It is always good to come home!

1 comment:

Taylor said...

Had an awesome time. I am so glad that I have been included in this, and so many other traditions.