mlarson

Hello fodor buddies! It's been almost 2 weeks now since I've returned home from our Hawaii trip, and I'm still tired! I didn't really realize it, but we did SO MUCH that it was a great trip, but NOT relaxing. I guess hind site is 20/20! Don't get me wrong, I loved it and would not do anything different as we went fully knowing we were NOT going to be sitting on the beach everyday, but out and about sightseeing.

Anyway, I'm already planning a short trip down to South Padre Island for some R&R! Of course, the water and beach are NO WHERE near in comparison to Hawaii, but I DO enjoy visiting the island as it's very relaxing! Plus, it's only a 6-1/2hr trip from home.

Anyone else need a vacation from their vacation? It's funny after talking to some "VETERAN" Hawaii vacationers, they agree, Hawaii is great, but exhausting!

ALOHA!

jor

When I go on vacation I live it like I'm 18 again. Very little relaxing. When I get home I feel like a new person and revived again. Maybe I am not the norm!

utahtea

I've found that I go thought a depression-withdrawal period after a vacation. I think it has to do with getting back to the ho-hom of daily life. If it's a two week vacation...it takes two week to get over it, if it's a three week trip...it take three weeks to get over it...etc. etc. etc.

I've never treated it with another trip...I'll have to try that one
Utahtea

Ryan

With a 3 year old and a 1 year old, I usually need a vacation while I'm on the vacation!

utahtea

Ryan,

LOL, when our boys were young, my DH always said he went back to work for his vacation from his vacation.

doc_

I just got back from "vacation" with my 3 and 1 year old. I had an easier time studying for board exams than getting from point A to point B with the kids. Its not vacation,its travel.

Ally

Hum, the only time I needed a vacation from a vacation was after a week sailing trip in Belize. It was a nice 42' catamaran, comfortable enough quarters, beautiful scenery, fun and gracious captain and cook, but after a week, I wanted a REAL toilet that flushes and a REAL shower with room to bend over! It was SO nice to check into a hotel in Belize City for out last night. First thing I did was jump in the shower, and sleeping on a bed that didn't 'sway' was great too!

mlarson

Like my sister always says, go someplace with kids - it's a TRIP. Go without kids - it's a VACATION! LOL!

How true! I told my kids one day we're going to play role reversal. I get to be the kid and they're the parents. They pay for everything and have to referee all day long! Let's see how easy it is to try and be "FAIR" in all situations. Then I get to be a kid with no worries and annoy my "brother or sister" all day!

LOL!

Kal

Our fave line is "I can't wait to get back to work to get some rest!"

FainaAgain

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we take vacation to get tired? We can relax and catch on sleep later, at home, can't we

Jayne1973

mlarson,

I totally relate and think your idea of a trip to SPI is perfect -- although kind of surprising after Hawaii. Anyway, I always come back so refresed from there and wish I was there right now!!!! (It would be a nice balance after Yellowstone...)

travellyn

I'm needing vacations from vacations much less often now that my kids are old enough to do without an adult present for a few hours. I guess it also helps that I really love where I live. My husband and I have also learned to build in some unscheduled downtime (2-3 days) at the end of a trip, either before we leave our vacation destination or at home. No matter how good the trip, I still get home looking forward to my own bed and familiar surroundings. I usually have an afterglow after a nice trip; it lasts about a week, then I want another vacation from my job.

antmaril

I always have another trip planned before I take the current trip. I HAVE to have something to look forward to. It would just be too depressing!

We usually try to get home from a trip a few days before I have to go back to work. I never come home and work the next day - can't do it.

mlarson

Me too, I can NEVER go back to work the next day, it ruins the vacation you're coming back from! It's depressing to think I have to go back to work the next day!

I know SouthPadre Island is NO comparison to Hawaii, but they each have a unique vacation feel. Hawaii is gorgeous and exciting, but NOT relaxing! SouthPadre on the other hand is VERY relaxing for me. My kids LOVE Schlitterbaun down there! I like it too, you stay in the water the entire time even while waiting in line for a water ride. It's great!
The complex is MUCH smaller than it's big brother in New Bruanfels, but I like that because I can let my 12 yr old son and his buddy go around on their own, knowing it's small and I can find them. I can also check up on them from time to time. See, there's only one entrance thru the wave pool. If you loose someone, just sit and wait at the wave pool area, they'll eventually come around as it's a big loop.

I hear they're building a Schlitterbaun in Galveston, Texas. That's only a 1 hr drive from my house, the kids are excited about that!

Here's something funny about kids. They LOVE the crowded beaches, more kids to play with. As adults, we like more seclusion. So, when it's crowded while on vacation, you realize, oh well, the kids like it!

ceg

I know exactly what you are talking about. My DH and I look at vacations a lot differently after one year sitting on the beach after a week of activities and wondering why we did not start our vacation that way. Now we do not pack a million activities into our vacation but start with the beach and pick a couple of activites we really want to do. We then come home feeling recharged.

caribtraveler

We just came back from Mexico. We were really good and only did two days of excursions and laid on the beach/pool the rest of the time (it was a week vacation). But we were exhausted when we got back!! Why you ask? We have a 2-year-old who slept between us in the king size bed. But why oh why do toddlers feel the need to sleep horizontally?? Meaning one parent gets the head in the ribs and the other gets the feet?? And both the head and the feet constantly move throughout the night!

mlarson

caribtraveler - Been there, done that! Our 11 yr old daughter still thinks it's the safest place in the world to sleep with mom and dad. Kingsize beds are too small when they get that big. SOunds like someone needs to try and make a pallet on the floor sound like the coolest campout spot in the world! HA! Maybe at 2yrs old they still believe what their parents say! LOL!