We lived in Zimbabwe when our son was little & took an annual vacation to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware every summer. We haven’t been in a long time but we all still talk about (& miss) Boardwalk fries & frozen custard, Grotto pizza & mini golf.
Naxos, Greece is our go-to destination. We've been staying there annually since 2017, and it never fails to restore us. The people are absolutely lovely; we've made several very good friends on the island. And then there are the beaches, which are among the best in all of Greece.
I wish I had known you were there, Liz! I was in Chatham from June -24 to July 6! We could have met up? The Cape is also one of my favorite places, Chatham in particular
I spent a week in Chatham with my son and husband the summer of 2017. I went specifically to visit the Atlantic White Shark Conservation Center and to see if I could spot any sharks from the beach. And, in fact we saw one from the shore at Nauset! We also went whale watching out of P-Town and a saw a rare fin whale right in the harbor. Of course we lunched at the Lobster Pot. On the way up we stopped at the USS Nautalus, the first nuclear submarine. Turns out my father in law, who was a radio man in the navy when the sub went into service, did stealth maneuvers from the USS Beale. What a great trip, I can't wait to go back.
Hands down Fire Island, NY! I've been going since I was a kid, when my sister and I sold shells we painted to passersby coming back from the beach. In the years since, I've gone back for the day to get quick drunk on Rocket Fuels or a summer long share where we'd BBQ on the deck. Nothing compares to getting on that ferry and disembarking to the scent of cedar mixed with ocean, and the feel of sand on your bare feet along the carless streets. See also: taking an outdoor shower while looking up at the sky. Happy Place, for sure.
The natural beauty of the Ozarks, and visiting my favorite aunt there, makes the four-hour flight and four-hour drive worthwhile every time. I've visited the region all my life because that's where my mother and her sisters were from. We hike and we swim in clear rivers and cold springs. My aunt turned 90 this past May and we were with her and my cousins there. I'm going back in October. Can't get enough.
Being a wilderness canoeist for over 40 years, I absolutely love Algonquin Provincial Park up in Ontario, Canada. The epitome of wilderness, it is HUGE, 40 x 60 miles, with more lakes that I'll ever paddle and portage in all my days. Utter quietude, loons, moose, wolves, northern lights. A chance to recharge all my Spiritual batteries. And what could be better than paddling with my son, who did ALL the 13 miles of portaging??!! Look- a photo tour! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10221427786385363&type=3
Cape Henlopen in Lewes, DE. My husband and I discovered that Delaware is a MUCH better beach alternative than Ocean City, MD. Delaware has an array of private beaches. The drive is only 2 1/2 hours versus 3 1/2 hours and exceptionally less crowded. (I'm still in pandemic mode and want PLENTY of movable space) Cape Henlopen has a spacious, gorgeous pier and a beautiful lighthouse you can visit. The beach is especially less crowded than the popular Rehoboth Beach which makes it our go to for a beach vacay.
When my girls were little... I would take them to this tiny island off the coast of Maine. It's called Vinalhaven in the Fox Islands and it's just impossible to get to... you have to book the ferry a year in advance. Since getting there is so hard, it sort of weeds out all the jerkwads and so when you land it's this wonderful place on 20 acres, with no electricity, you have to light all the hurricane lanterns at dusk. It's right on the ocean with wild pink roses growing down to the sea and filled with cheesy summer books. There's propane to cook with, but you have to haul water from the well... and take baths in a big steel tub on the porch... but you get your lobsters right off the dock and there's this tiny stone library full Nancy Drew books... so lovely. The funny bit is everyone on the island waves to everyone every time they meet and if you don't, you are considered a real jerkwad and so when you get back home, you find yourself waving like a dork at everyone just out of habit... and then you have to explain, lol. It's really the best.
Agreed! I was lucky enough to visit Paris while working a 3-day event with a SAAS company a few years ago. It was my first time visiting France and, although it was more of a working trip rather than fun, I set aside one day to explore Paris on foot. It left a lasting impression and I'm hoping to get back... for fun... soon!
I was married to a guy from France for a hot minute between ages 19-22. I went 20 years ago, and looking back I should have just stayed married to him just so I could have lived in his beautiful country. He was from the North West part of France (Brittany) and it was gorgeous as well. So was the Alps region (Samoens) -- I just...love the country.
We lived in Zimbabwe when our son was little & took an annual vacation to Rehoboth Beach in Delaware every summer. We haven’t been in a long time but we all still talk about (& miss) Boardwalk fries & frozen custard, Grotto pizza & mini golf.
Living on the Jersey shore, boardwalk fries et. al. are summertime staples... LOVE!
Naxos, Greece is our go-to destination. We've been staying there annually since 2017, and it never fails to restore us. The people are absolutely lovely; we've made several very good friends on the island. And then there are the beaches, which are among the best in all of Greece.
On my list! Any recs for hotel or a cottage?
In Naxos Town I recommend Anassa Suites. It's clean, modern, and very affordable, and the location is ideal.
I wish I had known you were there, Liz! I was in Chatham from June -24 to July 6! We could have met up? The Cape is also one of my favorite places, Chatham in particular
Yeah, we were there that last week in June... would've been great to meet IRL... DANGIT!
You spotted dolphins?????? Jealous! We did a whale watch out of P-town and had great humpback spotting!
Love P-town!
I spent a week in Chatham with my son and husband the summer of 2017. I went specifically to visit the Atlantic White Shark Conservation Center and to see if I could spot any sharks from the beach. And, in fact we saw one from the shore at Nauset! We also went whale watching out of P-Town and a saw a rare fin whale right in the harbor. Of course we lunched at the Lobster Pot. On the way up we stopped at the USS Nautalus, the first nuclear submarine. Turns out my father in law, who was a radio man in the navy when the sub went into service, did stealth maneuvers from the USS Beale. What a great trip, I can't wait to go back.
Hands down Fire Island, NY! I've been going since I was a kid, when my sister and I sold shells we painted to passersby coming back from the beach. In the years since, I've gone back for the day to get quick drunk on Rocket Fuels or a summer long share where we'd BBQ on the deck. Nothing compares to getting on that ferry and disembarking to the scent of cedar mixed with ocean, and the feel of sand on your bare feet along the carless streets. See also: taking an outdoor shower while looking up at the sky. Happy Place, for sure.
Outdoor showers are so fabulous. I love them so much!
Looked up the history of Rocket Fuel (https://food52.com/drinks/cocktails/27562-best-and-worst-rocket-fuel-on-fire-island) gonna whip a few up this weekend, THANKS!!
The natural beauty of the Ozarks, and visiting my favorite aunt there, makes the four-hour flight and four-hour drive worthwhile every time. I've visited the region all my life because that's where my mother and her sisters were from. We hike and we swim in clear rivers and cold springs. My aunt turned 90 this past May and we were with her and my cousins there. I'm going back in October. Can't get enough.
Ohhh, bet it's awesome in the fall, thanks for sharing!!
Being a wilderness canoeist for over 40 years, I absolutely love Algonquin Provincial Park up in Ontario, Canada. The epitome of wilderness, it is HUGE, 40 x 60 miles, with more lakes that I'll ever paddle and portage in all my days. Utter quietude, loons, moose, wolves, northern lights. A chance to recharge all my Spiritual batteries. And what could be better than paddling with my son, who did ALL the 13 miles of portaging??!! Look- a photo tour! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10221427786385363&type=3
Cape Henlopen in Lewes, DE. My husband and I discovered that Delaware is a MUCH better beach alternative than Ocean City, MD. Delaware has an array of private beaches. The drive is only 2 1/2 hours versus 3 1/2 hours and exceptionally less crowded. (I'm still in pandemic mode and want PLENTY of movable space) Cape Henlopen has a spacious, gorgeous pier and a beautiful lighthouse you can visit. The beach is especially less crowded than the popular Rehoboth Beach which makes it our go to for a beach vacay.
When my girls were little... I would take them to this tiny island off the coast of Maine. It's called Vinalhaven in the Fox Islands and it's just impossible to get to... you have to book the ferry a year in advance. Since getting there is so hard, it sort of weeds out all the jerkwads and so when you land it's this wonderful place on 20 acres, with no electricity, you have to light all the hurricane lanterns at dusk. It's right on the ocean with wild pink roses growing down to the sea and filled with cheesy summer books. There's propane to cook with, but you have to haul water from the well... and take baths in a big steel tub on the porch... but you get your lobsters right off the dock and there's this tiny stone library full Nancy Drew books... so lovely. The funny bit is everyone on the island waves to everyone every time they meet and if you don't, you are considered a real jerkwad and so when you get back home, you find yourself waving like a dork at everyone just out of habit... and then you have to explain, lol. It's really the best.
Nice, France or just Provence in general. France is on my Venus line (IYKYK), so I just feel so alive and happy there.
Agreed! I was lucky enough to visit Paris while working a 3-day event with a SAAS company a few years ago. It was my first time visiting France and, although it was more of a working trip rather than fun, I set aside one day to explore Paris on foot. It left a lasting impression and I'm hoping to get back... for fun... soon!
I was married to a guy from France for a hot minute between ages 19-22. I went 20 years ago, and looking back I should have just stayed married to him just so I could have lived in his beautiful country. He was from the North West part of France (Brittany) and it was gorgeous as well. So was the Alps region (Samoens) -- I just...love the country.