Family Vacation - Part One

Once upon a time, Chesapeake Bay Woman needed to get away from her way too hectic, stressful and overly scheduled life full of deadlines, long commutes and weeds that threaten to take over the house wonderful little existence in Mathews County.  So she and her family decided it was time for a vacation.

The extended Chesapeake Bay Family has not been on a vacation together in over 11 years.  We have had a night or so away together, here and there; or maybe a long weekend under one roof.  But this was the first time in a while the whole family, including my father, mother, and two sisters, were away from home for any extended period of time.

We went to Avon, North Carolina, which I highly recommend to anyone wishing to truly get away from the crowds and hullabaloo associated with some of the more northern Outer Banks areas during the peak season. Although it feels like you're driving to South America Florida, it's well worth the drive.

Also, crowds and hullabaloo are subjective terms - I consider more than two people to be a crowd since I live and prefer the existence of a hermit and anything louder than a heron's screech qualifies as a hullabaloo. 

My point is, it's very different south of Oregon Inlet.  In a good way.  Especially if you're a hermit.

The first thing the Chesapeake Bay Family did was pull out the hats, which are a necessary ingredient to happiness any family gathering.

Hats just seem to make everything more fun.

Here we have the beginning of a night filled with James Brown music and laughter, which, in addition to hats, are pretty consistent themes in any of our family events.

L to r, Baby Sister, Chesapeake Bay Daughter, Middle Sister and  MS's Husband Mike

Baby Sister has worn this sunbrero sombrero on vacation for a couple of years now.  She has successfully influenced Chesapeake Bay Daughter, who now also dons a sombrero when the time is nigh for a hat.

Baby Sis is grasping the top of her head because there were gale force winds, also a predictable outcome necessary ingredient for any Chesapeake Bay Family vacation.  In this instance the winds were blowing so hard, the house swayed back and forth just like a hammock.  A hammock hanging by a thread in gale force winds. 

Baby Sister and CB Daughter, aka Twins

I can't tell you the last time all the sisters and the parents were on vacation together.  I guess I already said that, but it is worth repeating, especially when you consider that we were officially trapped in a swaying house, four or five thousand hours from home staying in the same house together for several days, and those days start and end at different times for different people.

For example, I imagined I'd be able to sleep late on vacation.

As it turns out, that was the only place I could sleep late.  In my imagination.

Middle Sister and Husband Mike doing a puzzle. I think three puzzles were completed last week.  

Approximately half the house woke up way too early rather early, while others, such as the Chesapeake Bay Teenagers, sometimes slept until noon awoke later in the morning.

Chesapeake Bay Parents

The first night we were there, lots and lots of music was played.  A proper Chesapeake Bay Family gathering cannot be held without at least one song by my mother's favorite, James Brown.

Chesapeake Bay Son mesmerized my parents with his mad technical skillz, using the iPod and some other gadgets to enhance our musical experience.  Since I lack those skills, I will pretend to know how he got the iPod to send a picture of the music we were listening to onto the television screen.

James Brown 

In other news related to my fear of technology, I finally learned how to use the iPod which my children gave me for Christmas.  It was the best thing on the beach every morning, to be able to listen to my music and stare off blankly into the vast expanse of ocean, which happens to be my favorite thing to do on vacation besides sleep. (And that was obviously out of the question.)  

The Chesapeake Bay Children were in a state of disbelief that it took only seven months for me to learn how to use the iPod happy to see me finally using the iPod.

Chesapeake Bay Daughter and CBW.  

Speaking of my children, we thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  CB Daughter and I had one very special day together, just the two of us, doing everything we wanted to do.  Together.

Chesapeake Bay Son, telling his mother to please not put this on Facebook.

CB Son and I enjoyed our time doing a whole lot of nothing at the beach every day. He and I understand each other when it comes to the importance of doing nothing at the beach.

My precious girl.  

And what all of this has to do with Mathews County is absolutely nothing. Except that even if you live in a beautiful place considered a destination in and of itself, it is still vitally important to leave your daily responsibilities behind and take a break from Life.

Life is good.  Vacation is fantastic. And I love my crazy family no matter how early they get up on vacation.