Summer 2016 review

Summer has been over a few weeks and I can not believe it!  School is back in session and we are both slowly getting back into our routine.  I can't help but think about our summer travels and recap that it has come and gone.  When I return from a trip I throw all the accumulated maps and brochures in a pile . . .

. . . oh man do I ever end up with a lot of stuff.  I always have good intentions to organize them just in case I need something in the future.  I haven't been good about this task, but it is on my to do list for this year!  In the past people have asked me specific questions about trips or activities and have been able to go find the information so I know it will be helpful in the future.

So our summer fun review . . . I hardly ever travel and leave disappointed.  Each trip has something that was fun or memorable.  Without a doubt Colin says his favorite memory this summer was swimming with the dolphins in Bermuda.

He smiled the entire time and that made it all worth it!  I find this funny because it was one activity that wasn't planned and just happened.  I guess it goes to show sometimes the unexpected is the best.  As for me, each trip had a high point but personally the most memorable was the week in Washington state.  I just loved being outdoors and the weather was so refreshing and cool . . . nice escape from the Texas heat.  Driving around the Olympic Peninsula was everything I thought it would be . . .

For many years I can remember reading about Mount St Helens and standing there looking at her was really pretty cool!  I am often asked how I can spend so much time away from home during the summer.  As Colin gets older it is really harder to pull him out of school so we are limited to travel when school is on break.  Financially it is expensive since that is when everyone else travels too, but my happy place is away from home . . . it sort of helps me forget about the stress of solo parenting and to just enjoy the moments!  I know someday Colin will not want to or be able to travel with me so our time together is priceless.  Trust me he complains about being away from home but deep down I know he enjoys it too.  And just like that my flight tracker says 0 . . . zero . . . nada . . . nein . . .

. . . hmmmm I think it is time to start planning some trips especially with all those miles just sitting there!