I’ve been away a long time. Even though I got married down here, there’s always been a lot I haven’t liked about the Cape. Mainly, the traffic. But I’ve also never been much of a beach guy. Until maybe… now?
Friends of ours rent a house down here every year, and we had the good fortune to be included in their plans this time. I love these friends, so I’d be willing to go anywhere with them—even if it required a long sit in traffic.
But it didn’t. I came down Saturday night, and it only took two hours and some change from New Hampshire. Ok. Not bad. Not bad at all.
The Plan
The plan for the week was to really have no plan at all—and that was one of the reasons I wanted this trip. Most of our lives revolve around a torrent of activities and making sure each day has some purpose, and I honestly can’t tell you the last time I went on a vacation with no agenda whatsoever. The kids are older now, so they don’t need to be watched as much. The adults can relax more—and can actually adult more. Wait, are we entering a second adulthood??
But maybe all these years of feeling restless, needing to climb more mountains, was really just the result of needing more sun in my life. Because this week, I’ve logged some serious hours on a recliner at the beach. I didn’t even know I was capable of such repose. It’s been so hot, the most I can really do is swim, sit at the beach, heat up, and then swim again. Not having to think about much beyond that is the vacation I’ve been needing for longer than I realized. Probably about eighteen years.
Going With the Flow
We’re still getting around and doing a little. We went bridge jumping in Sandwich the other night and have done a little exploring around East Bay, but for the most part, we removed the choices and let ourselves just be. Which has got me thinking. I’m usually fed up with all of the choices we have to make in life—and on vacation—to keep everyone happy. But I think maybe we are all putting too much pressure on ourselves to “get things right.” Maybe the secret is to just make sure there is sun and let the chips fall where they may.
This vacation has been all about just rolling with it and learning how there is another way to do things. Or not do things. I could use more of that. I’m so used to always having to make decisions, the thing I really need a vacation from is making any decisions at all.
Confession
Confession time: I still have a ways to go when it comes to getting better at this relaxing bit. I couldn’t help myself and, um… still went out for a bunch of kayak rides. But no mountains this week, I swear!
These guys get it.