Recipe for a Vacation

"The alternative to a vacation is to stay at home and tip every third person that you see." Anon

Did you ever browse through one of those cookbooks that have those cutesy little recipes for happiness that begin, "Take three smiles and two hugs and add..."  By the time I get to the part about mixing in the sunshine I'm ready to set fire to the book.  But that might just be me.

With that in mind I'm about to give you a recipe for a vacation.  My husband and I seldom vacation together because of our schedules and our very diverse interests in life.  I don't want to spend time at a NASCAR event and he doesn't want to spend time exploring quaint little shops.  What to do?

We recently spent one day together in a largish city that was a mere two hours away.  We stayed at the finest hotel that the city had to offer where we were treated like royalty.  We both enjoyed that.  We also walked through a renovated area of the city where there were quaint little restaurants.  For brunch he enjoyed French toast smothered in candied pears, pecans, and maple syrup while I enjoyed a beet salad that was festooned with goat cheese. 

Sunday afternoon found us in our opulent room enjoying a rousing football game while nibbling on a few exquisite chocolates.  We'd found a gourmet chocolate shop on our walk back to the hotel.  In the evening we took a long stroll along the river walk and discovered a microbrewery where we enjoyed a delicious veggie pizza (me) and a burger worthy of a king (he).  Fortunately, the weather was perfect for the entire day.

In the morning we ate at the hotel restaurant and then headed for home, both of us refreshed and ready to get back to our day-to-day lives.  Total cost, besides the room and gas to drive there and back, was about $100 for food.  I've now become a proponent of the one-day vacation.  I recommend you mix in perfect weather and a partner who's a good walker and willing spring for a great hotel. 

Loveya
The Mom