I need a vacation from my vacation! (long)

[tw1nsmom]

We just got back from a lovely week in Maine. It was our first big trip pulling our new camper.

First, the good. We loved staying in our camper! We slept in our own beds, had air conditioning and our own bathroom with tub and shower. We were able to cook some of our own meals and really relax. The camping resort was really nice. We stayed at Bayley's in Scarborough. They have entertainment, three pools, a restaurant, nice playgrounds, and a trolley to two area beaches. All this and we could still make s'mores over the campfire at night.

We had a great time at the beach and in the pools. DD went off a diving board for the first time! She was so excited! We also went to LLBean on my birthay and did a little shopping.

NOW, the not so good...
The Suburban kept overheating pulling the camper over the Berkshires and we had to ride with the windows open and the heat on full blast. Okay, well we made it to Maine even though it was 95 outside. I mean, it was only a 6 HOUR Drive from Hades, but we were good sports. During the week the kids were great. They only had one full combined meltdown. It just happened to be when we were out eating lobster for my birthday dinner. For the ride back DH was sure he had fixed the problem with the car overheating. It was fixed...for about an hour. I thought I was going to pass out! We were just about home when DS gave us a little end of vacation gift. He threw up all over the backseat!

I bet you thought it was over when we pulled into our house. Not quite. We had paid DH's nephew to housesit and dog sit. We knew he would have to go to work, so we put an air conditioner on the back porch for the dog so that he would be comfortable during the day (we had DH's business partner check on the dog in the middle of the day and nephew was home by 4pm). Well our lovable, yet neurotic dog decided that three days was long enough for us to be away and he set out to escape and find us. He tore down the shades on the porch, clawed at the window (the AC was the kind with ducting) and jumped through the screen. Our neighbor saw him walking down the middle of the road and brought him home and put him in our basement. Our wonderful dog then found the corner of the foundation near the basement door that was weak and due for repair. He then dug his way through the foundation and escaped again. We have a nice size hole as a souvenir. Now nephew didn't know what to do with the dog while he was at work, so he put the dog crate (we ussually only have to use it when we travel in the car with the dog) in the middle of the kitchen. It took me an hour to clean up all the hair the dog blew due to anxiety (to be fair, DH's nephew didn't have any other choice...the porch was way too hot without the A/C).

I only have about seven loads of laundry to do and I can consider this vacation officially over. I think I have a bottle with a cork in it in my future tonight.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Bumping for sympathy

 

[ohiominnie]

Sympathy definitely going out to you. Guess this is a prime example of "ya gotta take the good with the bad," eh? Your goods were really good, your bads were crappy!

Hope things settle down now that you're home and will get back into the routine.

 

[preshi]

That sounds like one heck of a vacation!

 

[Saphire]

I think that doggie needs some pats and a hug...poor baby, he missed you guys!

 

[llij]

Welcome home!

It certainly does sounds like you need a vacation from your vacation!

 

[tw1nsmom]

Chippy definitely has gotten an extra helping of attention. My guilt is equal opportunity. I'll feel guilty whether or not I did anything wrong and whether it's a child with or without fur.

BTW...Thanks for the sympathy everyone. DH and I have finally sufficiently cooled down (literally...I felt like a baked chicken) and had enough adult beverages that we're finding the humor in our journey.

 

[llij]

My hats off to you b/c I think the heat would have done me in! It is great that you all are looking back at this with humor too!

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

It is great that you are so good-humoured about the vacation. Sounds like you went to a nice place.

 

[RUDisney]

This is the first year since 1999 that we haven't gone to Maine for vacation. We spent the week in Punta Cana instead.

Anyway, the ride to southern ME should take 6 hours, but with traffic, it takes 10 hours to get there but only 6 to get home. That's not the bad part. I can sympathize with your sick child situation. Last year, even though we gave them bonine, our DD got sick at 75 MPH (I was keeping up with traffic, honest) through Hartford, CN, where there is nowhere to pull over. Once she got sick, DS was overwhelmed by the smell and got sick, too. When we finally got to a rest area, DH got a roll of paper towels from a worker there and we spent at least 30 minutes cleaning the van. DS did try to be good about it. He tryed to open the side window to get sick outside, but that only meant it was down the door panel on both sides. Sorry for the TMI.

Look at the bright side... you got to go to LLBean for your birthday. How cool is that!?! Did you find any good bargains at the outlet store that is down the hill from the regular store? That's my favorite place in Freeport.

 

[luvwinnie]

Just found this. We take our dog with us to avoid these problems. Most campgrounds allow them. We'll be in Maine next month!

 

[sameyeyam]

Maybe you can just move out in your new camper in the driveway for a couple of days when things settle down!! No kids, no tv, just silence! Now that would be heaven.

 

[jjskribs]

Sorry about all the "problems" but glad that you enjoyed your time in Maine. We have vacationed at Old Orchard Beach for years. Even though I live on Cape Cod I like the "real" ocean in Maine so much better! We always get steamers at the Clambake in Scarborough... is that where you had your lobster???? Welcome home.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Hi all!

Things have really calmed down here. My mom offered to take the kids for two nights and a good time was had by all. They're home now, so I didn't have to worry about missing them too much. Now my mom needs a rest.

Let's see, to answer some of the questions/comments...

I had a blast at LLbean. True to form, I mostly bought things for the kids (new backpacks and lunchboxes), but I did find a hat that actually fit and that I liked. Whoo Hoo! Finding a hat is actually a big deal for me. I love wearing them, but I have a huge head. When they say one size fits most, they aren't talking about me. We didn't make it to the outlet store. We had arrived early enough that we had a spot up by the main store. It was so hot that day that we couldn't face walking around Freeport. Besides, I have really bad luck at finding things in those places. I have trouble at TJMax and Marshall's too. Other people find such cute things and I just come out empty handed.

We didn't eat at the Clambake this trip, but it's just down the road from the campground. We ate at the School House place. The Lobster was good, but the buffet was just eh.

We've only taken the dog camping for a short weekend local trip. He cried and barked whenever we left him in the camper (can't bring everywhere in a campground). We thought he would be happier in his own home with our nephew watching him since we planned to be away from the camper a lot and you can't bring dogs on the beach. You can see how well that theory worked for us. Plus, he's a very large dog (almost 100 lb) and would make the camper a little cramped for a longer vacation. We'll try taking him on a weekend trip to a local state park, but for longer trips he'll have to be kennelled unfortunately.

I really like the idea of going out to the camper for a mini break. We can hook up the A/C and fridge. I have a couple of girlfriends from my college days visiting in a couple weeks. We may have to have a girlsnight/camper/sleepover!

Now I just have to mentally prepare myself (and stock up on liquid fortitude...DH does the driving) for our Christmas trip to Fort Wilderness in December. I was ready to sell the camper, but my easy going DH insists that there won't be any problems on that trip. Wish me luck!

 

[Mermaid02]

Glad you like Maine!! Sorry about the rest!