Update for 2009

It has been almost a year since we've last gone on any trip worthy of being called a vacation. But it has finally arrived.

We went to Luray Cavern's in Virginia last July 10 with some friends. A first visit for me and the kids. Believe me, it was worth the wait. You do not want to take your kids here till they are old enough to appreciate it (And to follow strict "Do-Not-Touch" instructions).

My sister just got married last July 19 (Congratulations are in order) and the whole family made the trip to Los Angeles and to San Francisco to celebrate, and to have a family reunion.

Details (and pictures) from both events to follow...

Sandy Point, Maryland

Sandy Point, August 31, 2008

This Labor Day weekend is for the record books. The previous week the Democratic National Convention (DNC) had just nominated the first African-American candidate as President, the Republican National Convention (RNC) next week is set to nominate the oldest candidate yet and the second woman candidate for the vice-president’s office. The third year anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina had just been observed while Gustav barrels down to almost the same location, the first major hurricane to do so since Katrina. While in Maryland, we head for the first time to Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Yes, this year is turning out to be a very productive one in the realm of vacation taking.

Now, the purpose of this latest adventure is to fly kites. Yes, believe it or not, kites. So I entertained the idea of us sitting under a shaded bench, the breeze blowing and the kids running around flying kites. The opposite of what we were to encounter.

For starters, the entrance wasn’t free. It cost $5.00 a head for Maryland residents, $6.00 for others. It was crowded, but not overly so. We arrived after lunch so there were no covered shelters left, the beach sand was brown, not white, and the WATER was not clear, or even semi-clear. Instead of real restrooms, there were plenty of port-a-potties. Oh the smell was so sweet downwind! And, I think the crowd must be blocking most of the breeze because there was definitely not enough for kite flying.

Despite the setback, we did enjoy the company enough to consider the trip a success. Now we shall never discuss this subject again.