Getting To Know You Series....Vacations

It is that time of the week again when I link up with Stuff I Love so that we can, as bloggers "get to know one another" better.  Or, if you're not a blogger and you're reading, you can get to know me better as well ;)  I've enjoyed this series, because it lets others see me on a more personal level...tell me what you guys are thinking of this series of post so far.  Plus, it provides a chance to make new friends...why, yes, of course I'll participate!!!

Getting To Know You: Vacations

1) What has been your favorite vacation?

This is a rather difficult question.  Why?  Because each vacation in and of itself has a special place in my heart.  However, of ALL vacations that I've EVER taken, I guess I can narrow it down to 2 separate vacations: my honeymoon, which was spent in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (it was simply beautiful...we were married right after Christmas...so LOTS of snow...just gorgeous).  And, then, I loved New Orleans as well.  The architecture, culture and the landscape of New Orleans is unique to itself.  It is an experience that I loved.

I can't decide between the two...both bring back a flood of memories as well...I wouldn't flutter an eyelid if given a choice to return to either one.

The beautiful Grand Tetons...they are breathtaking!!!

Another view and picture of the Grand Tetons!

Some of the gorgeous architecture in the  French Quarter...just beautiful!

2) What was your most exotic vacation?

I haven't really gone on any "exotic" type vacations.  The closest thing to "exotic" I guess would be going to the beach...wow!  I've gone to a few beaches a handful of times; however, they have never been "exotic" in nature (i.e. Hawaii, Bahamas).  I guess this is one of those "bucket list" type items!!

3) What was your worst vacation?

My worst vacation occurred last year...and, it had really ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the vacation itself.  However, the vacation became the byproduct.  My husband, my mom and stepdad, and I traveled to Edisto Beach, SC (neat place, by the way).  This is about an 8 hour drive for us.  We arrived and were there for 1 day.  That night, in the middle of the night, we were awakened to learn that my uncle passed away suddenly.  So, we left early in the morning (after we had repacked and checked out of the condo) and returned home to the most unexpected funeral.  The ride back was excruciating because we were all numb.  

Due to the suddenness of my uncle's death...this was obviously the worst vacation...I will always associate this vacation to it.  Like I said, the memories of the vacation are simply a byproduct.  

One of "3" pictures we were able to take of the ocean  on
our trip to Edisto Beach, SC.  Lovely Beach...memories...not so great.
However...nothing to do with beach itself.
Love and miss my uncle.

4) What is your craziest vacation story?

It seems that each and every vacation that my husband and I take results in a crazy vacation story at some point...take for instance our most recent vacation:  Las Vegas.  We thought we were going to exit without one.  (I'm not kidding...there is one it seems during EVERY SINGLE VACATION...we've learned to kind of laugh at them and "roll with the punches...what else can you do?)

Anyway, we were on the plane to leave Las Vegas and return home with a layover in Denver, Colorado.  In order to make this story short...we prepared to leave the terminal (and actually did pull out) 2 times.  However, the Captain, after delaying for several minutes, would come over the speaker and tell us of "mechanical difficulties".  The delays eventually resulted in about a 2.5 hour delay in take off...which made almost the whole entire plane miss connections.  Since we happened to be on THE VERY LAST ROW (of course the only time that has ever happened)...we were the very last people to obtain vouchers to spend the night in Denver, Colorado for the night and new tickets for the following day.  Let us just say we were suppose to get home and in our beds that night at 11:00pm (and that was with a 2 hour time difference).  We didn't get to our hotel that night until midnight.  All we had was the luggage we had as carryon, and my husband and I had packed ALL of toiletries in our checked luggage.  Thankfully, the hotel provided a few items.  It was fun...and quite the adventure!  You just have to "roll with the punches".  

Our picture in front of the "Vegas Sign"...in front of Madame Toussards

5) What is your dream vacation?

I would love to take a tour (3 week to a month) of Europe.  I am in love with all of the architecture of Europe. I think it is gorgeous.  Maybe one day...another item on the bucket list.

Picture of Eiffel Tower (from our Vegas trip)
I would love to see the real Eiffel Tower up close...along with many other European landmarks

6) If you could vacation with any 3 celebrities, who would you take?

I have absolutely no idea...I'm sorry but I can't think of any that I would die to take.  Honestly, I am not sure that I would want to vacation with even one celebrity.  It seems that most think they are "better" than others, and they would attract a lot of attention...no thanks!  :)  I'll stick with my current traveling companion.

7) Who is/are your favorite people to vacation with?

This is easy...I always want to vacation with my husband.  We enjoy our vacations together.  He would agree that I do a lot of the research and planning ahead of time so that when we get to our destinations, I have a lot of information so that we can be "somewhat knowledgeable" about a place (that we've never been) and so that we can have an enjoyable, complete experience of that particular destination.   While I also enjoy vacationing with my family sometimes, I always like vacationing with him.  

Michael poking his head in the picture (on purpose) with the
Blue Man Group @ Madame Toussards in Vegas

8) What is the best gift that someone has brought you back from a vacation?

While I guess you could say "technically" I was with him...the best gift that was brought back from one of our vacations was an engagement ring.  To clarify:  my husband and I visited Albuquerque and Carlsbad, New Mexico.  While there, he proposed to me...so, I went to New Mexico without a ring...I returned with a ring.  So, obviously this was the best gift someone has brought back.  

While the ring in and of itself was wonderful.  It wasn't just the ring that I was ecstatic to be bringing back...it was that I was getting to marry my best friend.  And, he continues to be today!  There is no better gift than that!

View from mountaintop in New Mexico where we got engaged...
we had just exited Carlsbad Caverns, a cave 1 mile deep in earth

We were super duper happy, huh?  I was SO not expecting it...
If I was, I would have dressed up a little for the picture afterwards :)

I had to include a picture from the beautiful annual hot air balloon festival
in Albuquerque that we attended on this trip...this festival is
a site to be seen...absolutely breathtaking.  This can not be put into words.

9) What kinds of vacations did you take as a kid?

During summer vacations, I ALWAYS spent at least 2 weeks with my mom's parents on their farm...I LOVED going down to the farm.  It was a source of love and comfort.  It was only about 30 minutes away, so we also went down there on regular occasion.  However, I was able to spend the night during the summertime!

While I did not go on many vacations as a child, most were family oriented (i.e. Walt Disney World, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, etc.).  My parents separation and eventual divorce hindered vacations due to financial strains.  We did go to Niagra Falls with my mother once, which was an amazing trip.  I did go on a vacation or two with friends that invited me, in addition I went on several retreats with my youth group from church.  I never felt like I was deprived in any way.

Well, there you have it...hope you enjoy!  It is kind of fun walking down memory lane sometimes!!  What about you...what kind of vacation memories, stories, etc. do you have? Until next week.

Blessings,



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