Vacation Dos and Don'ts

Here are some dos and don'ts for your next vacation:

• You do not want your home air conditioning to go out the night before you leave town. However, if you have a wonderful daddy that still rescues you from tight spots, call him to babysit the house when the repairman agrees to evaluate the problem in three days.
• You do not want your 2 1/2 year-old to wake up with 103-degree fever the night before your departure. But you give him Motrin and pray that he's well the next day.
• You do not want to take your dog on vacation with you, as much fun as it sounds to add a dog to a road trip with young children. He will only run away while in a strange city over 800 miles away from home. You also do not want him to run to a friendly neighbor that will turn him into the pound. You do, however, want the friendly pound lady to have mercy on your panicked dog search and return your dog to your arms within a couple hours. Thank you, Pound Lady! I'll love you forever.
• You do want to find the Boulder Creek Reservoir while walking the Cherry St. Mall in 90-degree temps. Ahh, the cold water felt so good to our tired and hot feet! And your kids could spend hours throwing rocks in the running water.
• You do want to ride the Alpine Slide at Winter Park as many times as possible. The thrill of hearing your boys squeal with delight while riding downhill at top-notch speed will be priceless. The ride is not priceless, however, so I suggest buying a half-day ticket instead of purchasing each ride separately.
• I do not suggest taking Hubby to southwest Colorado in the middle of August, where his allergies will go haywire and leave him with migraines and sleeplessness. I do, however, suggest you travel there if you like fishing and hiking. While there, be certain to see Treasure Falls. It's an easy hike to a beautiful view. The fresh air will help Hubby to feel better instantly.

• I do suggest that you hightail it out of southwest CO after three sleepless nights for Hubby. We quickly changed our plans to head to Colorado Springs to visit our old neighborhood and good friends. It's great fun to gather 5 kids, ages 4 and under, in one home. Really! The kids entertain themselves, and the adults can catch up on two years' worth of gossip.

• I do not suggest getting your hopes set high on enjoying your favorite restaurant for breakfast in your old hometown. The doors just might be locked, and you might be forced to think of option #2, when your belly is growling and your children are grumbling.
• I do suggest that you head to the Garden of the Gods. If you're in Colorado Springs with an hour to spare, you must hit the Garden with your camera. It's simply gorgeous!


• When Hubby rushes everyone to the car quickly, don't wonder what is wrong with him. Don't assume that he is rushing to get everyone back in the car for the twelve-hour return trip to triple digit heat. No, simply ask him, "Why are you in such a hurry to get home?" He will tell you, "We're not going home. We're going to meet up with your parents at their campsite in Oklahoma. Does that sound like fun?" Oh, yes, indeed!
• Don't get your kids' hopes up on that idea. Because you might run into an accident on the interstate that will cause you to sit at a standstill for an hour. And, when you finally start rolling again, you might run into the storm of the century in OK that causes you to stop driving only two hours shy of your destination. The kids will not understand why you can't continue to travel in torrential downpours and tornado warnings.
• Don't promise the children that you will go camping the next morning. Because it will still be raining, and we know what it's like to camp with 7 people and 2 dogs in a 28-foot trailer!
• When you finally arrive at home, try to remember that 40 hours in the car + 7 days away from home + your family + some unexpected mishaps + mountain air = good memories.
  

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