Take a Break

 "Can I get a time out, Ref?"

It’s never too late in the year to take a vacation.  I’m not talking about a few days from work, I am talking about a few days away from it all. Sometimes life gets a little tough, throws us a few punches, and can get a little overwhelming whether it is spouse woes, financial woes, kid woes, work woes, a neighbor’s tree woes, on and on and on. Sometimes we need to take some time out for ourselves.

A break, somewhere isolated for a few days with my husband and some friends, that is what we are taking advantage of. I am so excited. Gatlinburg, Tennessee is our destination. It’s not fancy, glittery, and glam like a great vacation city such as Las Vegas or Miami, but I am expecting our vacation to be calm, soothing, and relaxing.

(This is our first vacation without the baby so I am a bit nervous. I do have my family and friends to help us out while we are away. I promise not to call home, too much!)

I am, however, expecting cool breezes, refreshing mountain air, warm fireplaces, and plenty of cocktails. We planned this trip months and months in advance and time is ticking down to departure day. I have been watching the calendars and counting down the days.

My idea of a vacation?

 It could be two days, three days, a weekend excursion, or whatever as long as it is 50 miles from my house, it is a vacation.

I am pretty simple. When I go out of town, I don’t have to stay at the fanciest chateaus or 5 Star hotels (although it would be nice.) As long as the dwellings are clean, crime free, and bug free, I am happy! I do enjoy scenery such as rivers, lakes, lakes and open fields. I always seek out the fame foods of the town I am visiting. For example, if I go to Atlanta, I want some Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. If I go to New York, I am seeking out pretzel joints and street food. When we went to Biloxi, Ms, my husband sought out seafood (I am allergic to shellfish.) If someone comes to Memphis, they are looking for the barbecue. I don't know what they eat in Gatlingburg, maybe raccoon or squirrel, something caught and cooked. (Just kidding, Gatlingburg citizens.)

The economy is blah, and some of us are broke, so we have to be realistic. If we don’t have it, we just don’t have it. We have to work with what we got. Maybe one day in the future, we can take that trip to Vegas or South Beach.  This time it’s East Tennessee. I am more than excited. I have never stayed at a cabin, in the woods, in the mountain.

 Now, if you are wanting that elaborate vacation, go ahead and plan ahead.  Websites such as Expedia.com offers great vacation getaways. Call me ‘cheap’, but I am always looking for deals (I love the internet.)

I know this was brief but I know a lot of you readers are in the same boat as I. You want to get away, but don’t have a lot of money. Well, you can always save up for your vacation for next year or simply get away if only for a few days, stay in a hotel, get pampered, sit by the pool while it’s still a little warm. I guarantee you will be so happy that you did.

Only $33/day on midsize cars with Payless Car Rental! - Expires 12/14/2011