#WQWWC.....June 23rd Theme.....Vacation

It's another week of  Writer's Quotes Wednesday, hosted by Marsha from Always Write. If you're interested in joining, you can find more about #WQWWC here. 

This weeks theme is Vacation. Who doesn't love vacation? I know I do. Whether it's a long extended trip or a quick weekend jaunt to the coast or somewhere else close by. I almost didn't get to this post today....my Wednesday didn't quite turn out how I planned so I'm behind on some things, but thought I'd take a minute to do it. 

Vacations don't have to cost a lot of money and it seems staycations have even become popular but I think they need to be very intentional, otherwise. you get stuck doing what you would normally do at home. They are a great way to explore things around your neck of the woods. We did a staycation once. I posted some thoughts about it here. 

"Vacations need not be expensive. Budget an amount and stick to it" Barry B. Velasquez

We have always tried to take a few vacations a year. One longer one, and then maybe one or two shorter ones. We budget for them as well. We think a little bit ahead of time so we know how much we might need to save, and then we do it. We are blessed to live so close to the Pacific ocean but also the big cities (Seattle and Portland), the mountains and the high desert and everything else in between. The options are limitless. For short vacations we tend to head to the beach, for longer ones we'll travel to Central Oregon or to visit family on the East Coast. In 2019 we took a vacation to Europe (Switzerland and Italy) for two weeks. That was awesome. I'd love to go back. 

I wrote about our favorite vacation spot a few weeks ago for Sunday Stills. I've also created a page where I've been trying to put all our vacation posts in one spot for easy access. It's here if you'd like to look. 

"Work, Save, Travel, Repeat"

 

I like that quote I shared above. It's a great motto to live by. Honestly I feel like if you go into debt to go on vacation, the stress will eventually catch up to you. 

"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us" Unknown

YES! How true is that above statement. I don't want to NEED a vacation to escape what is happening around me. Hopefully I've created a life that doesn't call for that, but instead I take vacations to experience all that's out there, to create more memories, and yes, have some down time with no agenda. 

 

Normally vacations are taken with family, but I have taken a few extended trips alone to visit family on the east coast. It was weird at first, but I found that I really did enjoy it. I could see myself doing it more often. I've also noticed that as our girls have grown older, sometimes it's hard to coordinate family vacations, which is a little sad to me, and I appreciate even more the ones we took when the girls were younger. 

Below are some photos from some of our trips. I have so many it's always hard to choose. 

I LOVE bringing reading material on vacations, sitting outside or inside with a cup of coffee and reading. We almost always get air bnb's. They're so much more relaxing. 

One of our favorite things to do, at our favorite local destination, Sunriver, Oregon, is to rent kayaks or canoes and go down the Sun and Spring rivers. So beautiful, peaceful and the water is so clear

Our vacation last year in Hood River, Oregon before our oldest daughter and her family moved to Texas. They've since moved back and I'm glad because that sweet little boy is so much fun. 

The Oregon coast is so stunning and when we want short, just a few night stays, that's where we head. Seaside, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita and Lincoln City are our faves.

3 years ago my hubby and I went for 4 nights to Gig Harbor, Washington. We stayed in a cute cottage on Fox Island. It was so relaxing. 

Beach trip with friends last October. The guys went crabbing, us two gals went for coffee and walks.

Last year in Hood River I paddle boarded for the first time. I LOVED it and I don't really love water...lol.

Guys crabbing at the ocean last October.

One of my solo trips. I went to Ohio last June to visit with my moms siblings and some of my cousins.

Our trip to Europe was so fun. We toured this castle on one of our days. 

I have NEVER found whole sand dollars when I've gone to the beach. When we went in March of 2019 I found 5....FIVE...whole ones. I was so excited. 

We went to Waco when we were in Texas last November. LOVED it!!

I love the Swiss countryside, buildings, gardens. 

Waiting for the fireworks to start at Disneyworld. 

Another shot from Venice...loved this view.

Cattle drive in Ft. Worth Stockyards. The history of the drive was interesting. 

Visiting Murano and Burano while in Venice.

The Swiss Alps are stunning!!!

More Italy

We love getting out in nature when we're on vacation. These are Paulina Falls in Central Oregon.

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin