Back to Reality

Sad to report, but all good times must come to an end.  On our last day, Tom and I spent the morning alongside the pool.  A pool day wouldn't be complete without acting like a child...We started a swimming competition against one another-like we were part of the Olympics or something.
Yep. True story.
(I beat him in the backstroke for the record!)  :)

After checking out of the hotel, we drove to a nearby Pier and ate at a cute little "shack" called the Yardarm Restaurant:

Tom and I frequently discussed if we should bring Jake or not.  We decided last minute to go by ourselves.  In my opinion, it is crucial to do this whenever the opportunity arises.  It was hands down a much needed vacation that left me feeling like a new individual.  Memories were created and there were times I laughed until my stomach ached.  We had our moments of feeling like a kid without a kid.  

Moral: Explore different destinations-even the unpopular ones!  

Vacation Part III

Day three:

Buffet again! Then Tom departed for a round of golf and I took this opportunity for some quality all about me time.  My relaxing day began with a massage and thoroughly enjoying all of the amenities the spa had to offer.  Afterward, I walked around the resort with a pina colada in hand, and captured the scenery:

I couldn't get over the massive trees:

Then I wrote in my journal (pictured below) because being around peace and harmony all day long can really put things into a different perspective:

After a brief entry and a vast array of photos, I became intrigued about the hotel and wanted to learn about the history.  To my surprise, part of the hotel was used as a hospital during the Civil War and as a training base during World War II-read all about it here.  The hotel magazine and this PDF stated people with political power, famous singers, and athletes have stayed at the hotel.  Looks like our destination isn't so mundane after all!

For lunch, we went to the Oyster House for some more (yes, you guessed it!) oysters and scrumptious seafood. Then it was off for a quick shopping trip in downtown Fairhope-which reminded me so much of Santa Rosa, California.

The remainder of our day was spent at the pool and beach and then it was off to the Wash House Restaurant for one seriously amazing steak dinner.  The place was deceiving from the outside, but the interior was so cute:

Oh, how I love vacations.........and food!!

XO

Vacation Part II

Good morning to me!  

Without a doubt, I would love to wake up to a view like this one every morning:

I'm officially WIDE awake because Tom suggested a short run along the bay and a quick workout at the gym.   So much for the word vacation....

However, running along the bay, looking at the morning horizon, and listening to Ray LaMontagne's song, "Within You" made my workout feel like anything but a workout.  If I had this motionless view to anticipate every morning, running would be much more likable:

Apparently, a quick run and climbing a few steps, can make anyone feel like Rocky:

:)

After one of the most amazing breakfast buffets, we hopped into our super "rad" car (yes, I'm laughing), and headed to the Gulf Shores beach:

During lunch, I ordered oysters again and forced Tom to break (not one, but all of) my crab legs.  In that moment, we reminisced about our younger years and the experiences we had on family trips.  I couldn't help but think, since we now have a foundation (a family of three), we will be building our own countless memories on different vacations for Jake to recollect. 

We drove into downtown Fairhope, had dinner at a little pizza joint that played Frank Sinatra and other songs like Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World".

Absolute perfection!

Some scheduled me time tomorrow!

Vacation Part I

No matter how big or small a topic can be, I love having this little writing space because it enables me to look back and remember every little detail.  I've been slacking on writing, however the important part is-I'm progressing (very slowly) with my hobby again and starting simple.  My writing topic today is about a recent vacation my husband and I decided to take on a whim.  Not appealing?  Well like I stated above, I want to remember all of the tiny details and lately friends have been asking to see pictures and they want to know what we chose to do on a daily basis.

Tom and I have visited various countries and states and love nothing more than a break from the norm.  Together we have created lifelong memories on vacation. Most, as we recall, just downright hilarious! 

We decided we needed a getaway close to home and some guys from work suggested Alabama to Tom.  "Alabama?? Really?" was my initial response.  (It's not everyday you hear about people heading there), but I'm all for going somewhere new and absolutely heart the south, so I decided to give it a go.  Besides EVERY vacation brings something new to the table.....

Well, it started off with me being "interrogated" at the airport.  Out of all the people flying out of Midway, I was stopped by TSA (before entering security!) and asked to provide my license and boarding pass.  For those who know me, do I really look like I can cause any harm?!  Then, I proceeded through security and was yelled at for placing my bag down too quickly. Really?!  I must say Tom enjoyed every minute of this and had this permanent smirk on his face.  I'm always up for a good laugh and when life hands you lemons...head to the bar!  

(Hmmm...I just made that up, maybe I should make that slogan a sign!)

We had a few laughs at the airport bar about my experience, boarded the plane, and (our luck) we had a pilot that told jokes to his crew and passengers before takeoff. One joke stuck with me because I'm a White Sox fan.  I'll get into that later...

We rented a SUV and thought we would have a SUV.  Turns out, an Enterprise representative said, "We only have a Dodge Ram or Challenger." The minute I saw the Challenger, I immediately thought of the movie Dukes of Hazzard.  Tom was smiling like a little kid on Christmas, so I knew I would be stuck with this teenage machine.

A quick summary of our first day:

After check-in, we went out to dinner and I immediately ordered oysters with my drink.  I became obsessed after our first experience devouring oysters in Puerto Rico.  After eating amazing seafood, we managed to go to all of the bars located at our resort.  We started off at the poolside lounge, and as I sipped "The Patriot" special, I watched the sunset and snapped these pics that make me want to close my eyes and return:

I ordered another dinner for myself (true story-nothing like a Bison burger at midnight!)  Then we sat on a swing by the bay and talked and then located a seat by a fire pit and talked some more:

Around 1am, there was a "serious" game of golf in the dark.  In case you are wondering, I won! (Could be because I drank less, but I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing that.)  Hard to view, but here's my proof:

Eventually, we made our way back to our room, only to be locked out because of our demagnetized key card.  Only us.

Pilot joke:  A kid tells the courtroom he doesn't want to live with his mom or dad because they beat him.  Judge then questions kid and asks him who he wants to live with.  Kid says I want to live with the Chicago Cubs because they don't beat anyone! :)

On to day two...stay tuned!

What I would tell my 15 year old self...

(Pic: Yahoo Images)

...high school is nothing like the movies. You'll never met a Jake Ryan look alike.

...the friends you have your senior year will remain your best friends for the rest of your life. (With a few additions along the way.)

...being popular means absolutely nothing.

...focus more on school and less on things that really don't matter.

...you will break a heart, and then have yours broken.

...don't hate yourself for not going away to college.  You will have more fun at home creating lifelong memories with your friends (than someone who actually DID go away). 

...the guy who you almost push away (because of a recent heartbreak) ends up being the one you marry.

...anytime the possibility of vacation arises, always seize the opportunity, because you'll end up saying (for years after) "remember when we went here..." and you'll just smile and cherish those memories forever. 

...your love for writing will help you in the future when you become a teacher.

...you'll encounter a doctor telling you that you have heart failure, and it won't stop you from achieving your goal of starting a family.

...you'll make a promise to yourself to never become dull or boring when your a mom and you totally fulfill your promise.

...and finally, when your 34, you will LOVE your curly hair and appreciate having options.

**I got this idea from another blogger, so I can't take the credit.  However, I thought this was such an interesting way to reflect on my past and life today.