Summer vacation

I have been trying to plan and organize a family vacation. Todd's parents have a time-share, and they are allowing us to use their points this summer and stay at one of their resorts. These facilities are beautiful and strategically located all over the country (and some international). I was hoping for Yellowstone, but that fell through. They're booked.

Instead of heading West, Penny got us reservations in the Poconos. We were planning a day trip to NYC. We were perhaps planning a second day trip to Philadelphia. We were going to enjoy the Pocono mountains.

Notice how I keep typing 'were'? Surgery is scheduled for March 29. I'll be using a week's vacation time for that. I need to reserve vacation time for moving Pher wherever it is that he goes. I like to save a couple of vacation days for holiday shopping and/or wrapping. We like to take extended weekend trips. We haven't conclusively decided on whether or not to keep the Pocono vacation plans. I am sad about that. However, something new developed last night, and I haven't had a chance to talk to Todd or the kids yet.

It seems that Todd's dad (Don) is leaving for the family cabin in Canada on July 12 (this was to be our first day in the Poconos). As of last night, he was planning on going alone. Everyone that knows and loves him realizes that: 1) This is not a good idea. He has a tendency to be accident prone. 2) He is bull-headed and really doesn't care what those who know and love him think. 3) He's going to go either alone or with someone. It doesn't matter to him. He's going.

My new vacation strategy? Have Todd and the kids accompany Grandpa. This will give family and friends peace of mind that Don has someone with him. This will give Todd some valuable time with his father. Also, Cameron is now at the age Todd was when he took friends to the cabin. I think Cameron and a buddy would have a ball swimming, cliff diving, fishing, boating, hiking, and just exploring the area. You know... being boys. Todd took the kids to the cabin 4 years ago. Emma was only 4 years old. She was not happy about the hike up to the top of the mountain. Four years later, she still talks about that hike.This scenario plays well in my mind. But you know what? I would really like to be a part of it. Visitors need to take a boat to get to the cabin. There is no electricity, no running water, no phone (land line or cell), and no television. There are no city lights. At night, the silence can be deafening and the Milky Way vibrant. It's a tiny piece of Heaven and where (Todd says) God spends His Sundays taking a look at what He created and patting Himself on the back.