Most vacations we take aren't very relaxing. That's as true now as it was before we had kids, though where we go and what we do has shifted since then. Before our son was born, we did a road-trip across the country and saw a baseball game nearly every day, visiting Miller Park, Wrigley Field, Progressive Field, PNC Park, Citizens Bank Park and Yankee Stadium in a week. We jumped across the pond and visited Ireland and Scotland (twice), on those trips also rarely sleeping in one place more than a day and packing in as much as possible. Even our stay in the Dominican Republic was just a few busy days. Since becoming parents, we've driven up to Toronto for a weekend (checking off another ballpark) and did a few autumn days in and around Portland, Maine. Just a few weeks ago, we road-tripped to Minnesota to see some people before the baby arrives. While less ambitious, the format of the more recent trips is the same and we get home completely wiped. Even if fitting for us it's smart to plan some time back at home for rest and re-acclimation to everyday life.
Come to think of it, the more or less annual trips to Vegas with my guy friends are the same way, though I'm not sure anyone goes to Vegas for relaxation purposes.
Vacation doesn't need to mean traveling though, and that was the case with Thanksgiving this year. For the first time we hosted a real Thanksgiving for a few out-of-town family members. Judge if you must, but spending time with loved ones is important to us and everyone made the choice of their own volition with an understanding of the risks. Admittedly I was a little nervous in the lead-up as Covid cases are again on the rise, lockdowns to some extent are re-instituted, and public pressure against gathering is mounting. Regardless, it was worth it and we had people here Tuesday to Sunday.
I love my family and was extremely happy to spend time with them, enjoying the beautiful outdoors here in Maryland, playing games, and eating a tremendous amount of food. But in the end I'm very much an introvert and being around people drains my energy. The combination of hosting, cooking (I did baby back ribs Wednesday and a 12+ lb turkey on our pellet smoker Thursday, plus assisted elsewhere) and our other activities has left me as exhausted as getting home from another grueling journey.
It worked out to spend most of yesterday lying down and watching football. I slept like a rock, even more than usual. Still, I'm dragging today and feel once again like I need a vacation after the vacation.
Hopefully you all had a nice Thanksgiving yourselves, no matter how you chose to do it. I'm thankful for my loving wife and family, the pleasant life that God has given us, and this country where we still live free. How about you?
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