Happy almost long weekend to all!!
It's going to be in the upper 80's this weekend so Colin and I are headed to the outer banks this evening!! The plan is to stay with our friend's parents tonight and then head down the coast to find a campground with room for Saturday and Sunday night reservations. I know that I always look forward to camping, but never sleep well in a tent. But, I am just so happy to have a long weekend ahead of me and we haven't really spent a lot of time of the beach since....gosh I can't even remember. I'm guessing some time last summer, or maybe even before that. No wonder I can't wait!
We've also been planning other fun summer adventures the past few weeks. Colin's got a work trip to Fort Lauderdale in early June (yes, right around the corner!) and his conference finishes up on a Friday. I'm very excited to go and spend a long weekend at the beach (3 full days). And that trip will be even better than the outer banks because 1.) we will be more comfortable in a hotel and 2.) it will come at the end of a very busy time at work (which I am in the middle of now!!).
At the end of June and into early July, my dear friend from college is getting married in Burlington, Vermont. So, we've got a whirlwind of a trip planned to fly into and out of Boston, visit friends in the area, spend some time in RI and be in Burlington for the weekend. All of that is planned in just 5 days!! I wish I could go longer to visit with more friends in the area, especially since there are so many babies I haven't met (and some are already 2). But alas, we're trying to save up some vacation time for a big trip in the fall (I won't disclose until we are sure we are going). Thankfully, many of my college gal pals will be with me at the wedding (though none are bringing their babies) and they all live fairly close to each other in Boston. To make things easier, I'm trying to plan a day (or night) with each set of friends along the route between RI and VT. New York friends will have to wait until a visit in that direction.
And if these three trips were not exciting enough, I had a meeting today at work regarding a conference in Asheville in September. I love that town because the vibe brings me back to Burlington and always get excited to spend some time there. The best part about the conference is not that it is in Asheville, but that we are all staying in The Grove Park Inn! My friends in the area will need no explanation, but for those of you unfamiliar with the resort, it is a large antique resort spa that boasts a "bed and breakfast" feel and is located in the middle of the mountains with amazing views all around. The spa is supposedly a-m-a-z-i-n-g and September is usually a fantastic time of year in the mountains of North Carolina. Though I do have to present at this conference on Sunday, I'm getting excited at the prospect of going up early to enjoy the area, especially since all rooms are discounted for conference attendees. I hope I can convince Colin that it is an opportunity he does not want to miss.
I'm sure that by now you know that I love planning trips and getaways. With the beautiful weather we've been having in Raleigh, we've been enjoying "staycations." Now that the weather is getting a bit too warm, it's time to escape to places that offer more comfortable temperatures (like the mountains) or places to cool off from the heat (like the beach).
I'll keep you posted on how Darwin does with his second attempt at camping. We will definitely be taking the "chew-proof" tie out cable and stake to prevent him from chasing night time critters in case he's still scared of the tent. And we are taking our big tent in case it rains and he needs to sleep with us.
What are you up to this long weekend?
Any summer vacation plans being made?
