“Aaahhhhh!” That utterance, offered by yours truly this morning, is the essence of having achieved a clean and refreshing break from routine through the Art of Vacation. And what a vacation it was!
A Celebration of True Love
Our family vacation commenced with a two-day drive to beautiful Ouray, Colorado where we would join with family from all over the country in celebrating the nuptials of my niece, Jenny.
Panoramic taken from outside our room at the Box Canyon Lodge and Hot Springs
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- The family at the Continental Divide, Monarch Summit, CO 6.26.2014
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- Early morning selfie taken our first morning in Ouray from outside our hotel room.
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- Jenny & Evan exchanging vows 6.28.2014
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- Me and my bride, Ridgeway State Park overlook 6.28.2014.
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- Me, my parents, and my sisters at the wedding reception 6.282014
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- My wife and me at an overlook on the Million Dollar Highway, 6.29.2014
A Celebration of True Friendship
Upon returning from Colorado June 30, we prepared for the arrival of our friends from Roanoke, Virginia the next day. When they arrived at DFW Airport we hit the ground running, spending lots of time catching up on each other’s families while we played tourist in my home town.
Dealey Plaza, the site of John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, was our first tourist stop. Offering an audio tour through the events of that fateful day, the museum on the sixth floor of the old Texas Book Depository is extremely well done. If you live in the Metroplex or find yourself visiting here you must put this on your bucket list.
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- The Texas Book Depository. The shooter was in the corner 6th floor window (second floor from the top floor).
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- The road is marked with X’s showing where the president was hit.
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- The Grassy Knoll, from which some theorize that a second shooter may have been involved.
We lightened the mood on July 3 by visiting downtown Grapevine, Texas. This historical area features several Texas wineries along with cool shops offering everything from fine chocolates to antiques to Texas apparel & souvenirs. Grapevine also offers several fine restaurants to suit any taste. We were apparently so caught up in the excitement that none of us took any pictures!
Independence Day, July 4, found us in the historical Fort Worth Stockyards, one of my favorite places to visit. We took in the sights and sounds of this beautiful historical district and celebrated our freedom at the Stockyards Rodeo – you can’t get much more Americana than that!
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- The cattle drive approaches on Exchange Ave in the Fort Worth Stockyards 7.4.214
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- Fort Worth Stockyards famous cattle drive 7.4.2014
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- My wife and our friends soaking up the ambience and a “Buffalo Butt” beer at Booger Red’s Saloon 7.4.2014
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- Must have: a Buffalo Butt Beer T-shirt!
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- Us and our friends standing before the Lone Star flag of the great State of Texas 7.4.2014
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- My wife and me in front of the Stockyards Rodeo Arena 7.4.2014.
Our friends departed for home Saturday afternoon, and we spent the remainder of the day relaxing at home as we recharged the proverbial batteries.
The Art of Vacation
As I prepared to leave the office for vacation I put the wheels in motion by letting my coworkers know that they will hear from me when I return to the office on Monday, July 7. I updated my voice mail greeting to state clearly that I am not checking it, and my email auto-reply clearly states the same. And I kept my word. Today I returned to work reenergized, refreshed, and ready.
Have you lost the Art of Vacation? If so, find it. Reclaim it. Live it. I promise you won’t regret it.
