Vacations are Exhausting

 

We don't really go on vacations.  I take vacation days from work, but are they really "vacations"?  So far this year I've taken time off to go the MVC (or for you non-NJ people...DMV).  I've taken time to take my son to the MVC (a different one because the one closest to us didn't have appointments until the end of July/early August).  I've taken time off to pick up my son from college.  I've taken half days for medical appointments.  As a matter of fact, the most vacation time I've taken over the past year has all been geared around "things" that had to be done and couldn't be done on a weekend.  (Or avoiding going back to NJ with the sinkhole issue on Route 80.)  As a matter of fact, the last "real" vacation I took was in September of 2024 (which had been planned in May of 2024) when I met my college friend, MA, in Orlando and we spent just under a week (Saturday-Thursday) at Disney World.  And that was the only time I can recall in nearly 10 years that I didn't peak at work on my laptop.

But with my big birthday (again, I've turned 30...that's my story and I'm sticking to it), I wanted to do something fun for me.  I wanted to get my son in on the fun, but he's started a new job and couldn't get the time off so...my husband and I drove 6 (or so) miles up the road from the house and spent Saturday through Monday at Skytop.  Maybe I should have scheduled more time, but I thought my husband had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday (it's actually Wednesday), so...

The two of us arrived a little before noon.  I had requested a large room or suite because I thought our son would be with us.  When it turned out he wasn't going to be able to make it, I told them they could move us to a smaller room.  They didn't.  We had a HUGE suite!  It had two bathrooms.  (Which turned out to be a really good thing.)  It had two sofas.  It had two tvs.  It was pretty amazing.

On Saturday I intended to do a short walk down to the Inn and around Leavitt's Branch Road.  (Where my favorite house is...it will NEVER go on the market and even if it did, I would never be able to afford it, but a girl can dream).  I ended up walking back up Dutch Hill Road (checking to see if there was any property for sale...I don't want a house, I just want a small piece of land that would allow me to be a homeowner on the property...another dream that isn't going to come true.)  I did pass by a house that was lovely and lived in (many of the houses seem to be huge but inhabited...why have a house in this gorgeous setting and never be there) and ended up talking to the couple that lived there.  (I told them their house was beautiful and "normal" which is the ultimate compliment from me.)  I got onto the lake trail and headed back to the lodge via the south entrance (which is still kind of closed off as they are not quite finished with all the work on the aquatic center) and found my husband on the South porch.  You KNOW I ended up sitting there with him for most of the afternoon.  There are always things I want to do (like guided hikes and fun crafts and projects that the resort offers, but I never get around to.) but sitting on the porch with a good book.  I can't resist.

I did manage to find a few minutes to go down to the newly opened (but not quite finished) outdoor pool at the aquatic center where I ended up sitting next to the couple that I had met on my walk. 

(Homeowners can use all the amenities...can you see why I want to be a homeowner or at least a property owner?) How cool was that?  I wasn't going in; I just wanted to sit by the pool (now that there were available chairs...this place is going to be BUSY once summer hits and everything is open.  Sun, water and a bar?  Come on!)  I did stick my feet in.  I also watched a wedding that was going on in the courtyard of the South porch (I would have had a better view from the porch, but...)  I left just as the couple was having their first kiss and then went up to the Observation deck where I could see everyone parading out.  (And photos being taken on the North Lawn.)

Hubby and I had dinner at the Windsor Dining room.  (Which is always my choice of places to eat.  The Lakeside at the Inn is nice, but not necessarily to my taste and for the Taproom is fun, but a bit too casual for me when I am on vacation.)  I had a wonderful glass of wine (Rebel Reisling...if anyone wants to send a bottle my way) and a delicious meal.  After dinner, we went out to the Pine room to listen to the band (The Doug Smith Band).  There were very few people and I didn't think there would be enough for the elimination dance, but 5 "couples" (meaning some parents with kids) hit the floor and the elimination dance was completed quickly (only 2 rounds) before it was time for the Grand March...which has got to be one of my favorite traditions (no matter how corny it may be) and I managed to convince my husband to join in.

The band took a break, and we went upstairs to bed.  All was well until around midnight, when it became apparent that something wasn't agreeing with me.  (Don't think it was an allergic reaction as everyone has been very aware of my issues...and I had eaten 4-6 hours earlier and my allergies usually kick in immediately.)  Nonetheless, it was not a good way to start my "new year", but I was glad that there were two bathrooms in the suite so my husband could sleep while I... well...while I was a mess.

I tried to take it easy on my birthday.  I wasn't very much into breakfast.  (I've heard they are starting a brunch at the Lakeview restaurant at the Inn at Skytop and I KNOW that is going to be a big hit...and another reason why I'd like to be a property owner).  I didn't eat much (or enjoy), but afterwards, my husband and I took a walk around the lake.  (We never do walks together so this was a real treat) Afterwards we ended up at the outdoor pool, where I finally took a dip.  (I've been in the new pool!  Woo hoo!  I still have to try the new hot tub and sauna.)  It was a "boring" afternoon, which is what I needed.

We dressed for dinner (because that's how we roll) and had another wonderful meal.  (This time I had no problems.)  I would have liked to have watched the Tony awards (because that is MY awards show), but I've given up on CBS.  (Which is a tragedy...I have been a devoted CBS fan for decades, but what they have become is horrid and I refuse to watch ANYTHING on the station that I once adored.  Here's hoping that next year the Tonys move to another channel...like PBS.)  Instead, I followed updates on the PBS app.  (Happy for John Lithgow but devastated for Nathan Lane...and I so wanted June Squibb to win.)

Monday was back to reality after breakfast.  Hubby and I did take a short walk down to the Inn (where the lake is low and the water is barely flowing over the falls) before checking out.  (I wanted to do the Behind-the-Scenes tour, which I know would have fascinated me, but...)  Maybe it was only a 10-minute drive down the road, but...

There was unpacking to do.  Laundry to wash, dry and put away.  Other household "chores" that had been ignored for a couple of days.  And then it was the drive back to NJ as I had taken Monday off but need to be in the office on Tuesday.  Which means grocery shopping in NJ.  (I love my son, but he still hasn't gotten the knack of grocery shopping, and I knew the cupboard would be bare unless I did a quick stop for a few days of groceries.)  Home to NJ and more unpacking, more chores and more reality (as I could see work emails coming in.)

At the end of the day, I was beat.  Was it worth 2 days at Skytop?  Of course!  Do I wish I could have just stayed there forever?  Of course!  Is that ever going to happen?  NO WAY!  (A girl can dream though, right?)  

I do wonder if it's worth it. A relaxing vacation (and believe me a Sktyop vacation IS relaxing...there are always things I want to do that I NEVER get around to doing because why should I?  I'm just too happy sitting by the pool or on the porch.  Why can't I do this every day?) is a lot of work.  And that slap of reality...it hurts!

But here I am, exhausted from my weekend away.  (Which really wasn't that far away.)  And thinking I need to do more of this.  I need to come up with a plan.  Because vacations are wonderful.  But the return...that's exhausting!