14 Things I Learned on Summer Vacation (+ Pictures)

As you read this, we’ll be on the road, driving back home to Brooklyn from Maine.

We were lucky to spend two and a half weeks away from home. We had a chance to explore a couple of different parts of Maine. The first week, we rented a house near Wells Beach in Southern Maine. The second week, we rented a house in Wiscasset in mid-coast Maine.

The scenery in Maine is unlike anything that I’ve seen. I may have mentioned this once or twice before. It reminded me of the Pacific Northwest with its endless coastline and lakes and peninsulas. I envisioned lots of rocky beaches and jagged coastline but in the end, we were greeted by gorgeous sandy beaches. We weren’t expecting this to be a beach vacation but it turned into one.

But, the ocean in Maine is still FREEZING. I would dip my toes in and immediately remove them. The kids, on the other hand, had no problem running and splashing in the cold water.

In many ways, our summer vacation is a way to indulge my fantasy of moving out of the city. For two weeks, we can explore different parts of the country and pretend that we live somewhere else. However, I’m not sure I could actually make the move and leave Brooklyn.

I can’t believe that it’s September already. I’m not sure that I’m ready to let go of summer and to dive headlong into the new school year, work, routines, etc.

Anyone want to redo Labor Day weekend this weekend with me??

14 Lessons Learned on My Summer Vacation

I liked sharing the lessons that I learned while on vacation in Hawaii last summer so I’m doing it again. I hope you don’t mind. These aren’t Earth-shattering or anything. Really just random musing and realizations.

1. I’m not really an outdoors person anymore. I used to love hiking and camping. While I still love the mountains, I don’t feel as drawn to them.

2. I am much more drawn to the ocean and lakes. Funny considering my fear of the open water but there’s something about seeing that expanse of blue that soothes my soul.

3. However, my fear of the open water apparently extends beyond just swimming or surfing. I still think about our experience snorkeling in Hawaii last summer. I got really really nervous when I went out in a canoe with my husband and youngest son. We all had life jackets on but still. There was something about the boat rocking that made me clutch the sides of the canoe with a deathgrip.

4. I appreciated being able to just send my kids outside to play. Both houses that we rented had good (and safe) outdoor space for the kids to run around in. We can’t exactly do that in NYC.

5. I am a magnet for mosquitoes.

6. I love morning runs in the country, especially when it’s a little foggy out, making it even quieter out on the road.

7. My runs boosted my confidence. I wasn’t sure how I felt about running after the SF Half Marathon but over the last two weeks, I feel so much better.

8. While I enjoy running in the country, I do not enjoy running along country roads with no shoulder and where cars zoooooom by fairly quickly.

9. I’m allergic to shellfish and the whole seafood culture is lost on me.

10. When food is raised well and prepared well, it tastes incredible. We had the most amazing dinner at Primo in Rockland, Ed happened to meet one of the co-owners while surfing in Costa Rica two years ago. They raise their own vegetables, chickens, pigs, ducks, etc. in their farm right behind the restaurant and fish comes straight from the local fisherman. Anthony Bourdain called it one of the best restaurants in America. I’m no restaurant critic but I’d have to agree. Hands down one of the best meals that I’ve ever had.

11. We take a lot of pictures while on vacation – over 700 in two and a half weeks. I hate sorting through all my photos.

12. I miss breathing fresh air – air that smells like grass and trees and sand and ocean.

13. I miss watching the stars every night too.

14. I don’t think that I was able to completely let go of my inner New Yorker. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to? However, I was able to slow down, relax and enjoy the time away.

14 Things I Learned on Summer Vacation #travel
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Thanks for the great vacation Maine!

Do you enjoy sorting and organizing your vacation photos? Where should we go for our vacation next year??

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