Libertarian Librarian

One week into my vacation and I just have to ask-- why are vacations so tiring? Seriously, I'm having a great time, and I'm certainly not looking for any sympathy, but it is a bit of a paradox that relaxing can be so exhausting. Part of it is the sun, part of it is being an integral part of keeping my 5 and 8-year old children entertained, but part of it is... what? The jarring effect of breaking your day-to-day routine? The inability to sleep as well in a strange place as compared to your own bed? An overabundance of restaurant food, throwing you body's normal routine out of whack?

Probably all of the above. Okay, so here's what I've been up to for all you poor saps stuck doing your normal job-like activities:

• Last Thursday we all bombed down to Great America, the closest gianormous amusement park in our area. About an hour away in northern Illinois. Sticker shock at the gate wasn't too bad as Nicole got in free (school thing), Jenn got in free (school thing) and I got in for half price-- but everything else was stunning in its expensiveness. Captive audience indeed. I no longer have the tolerance for roller coasters I once had-- too much bouncing and banging around. The speed and loops and whatnot are still fun, but the side to side bonking of my head against the shoulder restraints is really not a good time for me any more. But the kids had a blast, and there is still something very very magical about a big amusement park after dark-- the twinkling lights, the sounds of the rides and the multitudes on them, the tinny music that somehow loses its annoying edge once the sun drops below the horizon. I remember all of that from when I went to Great America as a kid, and the place can still stir those memories to the surface, though I approach excursions to the place with nearly equal measures of anticipation and anxiety.
• Friday was Laura Ingalls Wilder Day at Old World Wisconsin. OWW is a 100+ acre state historic site where the Wisconsin Historical Society has collected 19th Century farms from all across the state and from a wide variety of ethnic groups that settled in Wisconsin in the 1800s. Volunteers and paid staff dress in period costumes, showing the visitors how the pioneers of our state lived and worked and entertained themselves more than a 100 years ago. There are German farms, Norwegian farms, Danish, Finnish, Welsh and other types of farms. A small village similar to many of those to be found all across the state in the 19th Century. All very, very cool and as authentic as such a thing can be in an era of cell phones, computers, and supersonic airplanes. Plus, it was Laura Ingalls Wilder Days, so there was a look alike competition-- folks dressed up like Mr. Edwards, Ma & Pa Ingalls, Mary, and of course, Laura, were judged for the authenticness of their look, with the top three getting ribbons. The winner of the Laura look alike contest?
  
  My daughter!
  
  Woohoo! Way to go Nicole! We were all very proud of her, and it was a huge thrill for her-- she's really been getting into the Little House mystique lately, both the show and the books. Nice way to end the day. Photos to be posted once I return home.
• Saturday-- REST! Seriously, nice to not be walking after two days of doing almost nothing but. I mowed the lawn, played a little baseball with the kids and did some serious bouts of nothing whatsoever.
• Sunday-- my niece's birthday party. 10 already! How is that possible? Fun time, and always a kick to get together two families plus many of the friends of the birthday girl all in one place. The diversity of opinion, disposition and looks is quite entertaining. After the party, up to Door County to begin some serious vacationing at the in-laws house. They have nearly two acres right on Lake Michigan, but on the southern end of the county, where the tourists have yet to contaminate the place.
• Monday-- hanging by the lake. Did some swimming-- surprisingly warm in August-- some baseball, some frisbee and some rock throwing. I have no idea why lobbing rocks into a body of water should be so entertaining, but it was when I was Jacob's age (five) and it still is today. Grilled out for dinner. Cocktailing may have occured. Watched the stars far away from any cities or other sources of harsh artificial light. Glorious.
• Tuesday-- Hung with the kiddies while Jennifer went shopping with her mom. More swimming in the morning, with a round of golf in the afternoon. First time ever for both Nicole and Jacob on a real course. Italics because it was a par 3 course with a longest hole of 205 yards. But nine holes nonetheless, and real golf for sure-- nothing miniature about it. Took nearly three hours. Yikes! The first four holes were a hoot. 5, 6 and 7 were all about keeping them focused. 8 and 9 were finishing the marathon-- but afterwards, there were many grins and the recounting of the good shots was begun. Nicole shot a 70! Not too shabby for an 8 year old out for her first real round. And it could have been better if she had a better feel for putting. Something to work on over the winter. Jacob had a 112, but he hit some pretty nice shots for a 5-year-old. Tricky bit for him was learning to swing a golf clug as if it weren't an oddly shaped baseball bat. Cocktailing ensued later in the day.
• Wednesday: golfing with my father-in-law. Always an enjoyable afternoon, made only slightly less so by my stupidity in forgetting my clubs back at home. Borrowed a nice set of Titleists, but it's still always hard to play with clubs different from those you are used to. Weather was perfect-- indeed it has been glorious all three days we've been up in Door County. Hooked up with the rest of the family for an early dinner at an excellent bar/restaurant between the golf course and the house. $4.50 for a monster plate of fried chicken, rolls, fries and coleslaw. Nearly unbeatable, and also a staple of our visits 'up nort'.
• Thursday, went biking with the kiddies in the morning to a nearby park. Slides, teeter-totters (not too many of those left any more-- liability issues?) and playing on the beach. Lunch. Then... this.

So, there you have it. Just wanted to share. Okay, and to make you feel a tad bit jealous ;->

Seriously, it's been a lot of fun, and there are a few more days to go. Nice to kick back and pay absolutely no attention to the rest of the world, or my job, or... well, any of that stuff.

And yet it's tiring. So, I think I'm off for a nap.

Good luck with that work thing, folks!

Oh, and thanks for filling in again, John. Greatly appreciated-- I will comment on the NFL and Joe Lieberman when I return next week.

Labels: Family