We're on vacation this weekend. Sort of.We left late Friday evening for a short get-away to a small town near here, a beautiful, little, old town on the Mississippi River (not Red Wing.) Husband's younger son went with us: we've had a trip together every summer, and we just weren't quite ready to let the tradition die.
But there were a few catches.
One: This was our interim organist's last Sunday with us. It's been a great year, and it's been a pleasure working with him, getting to know his Golden Retriever, Rupert, and getting to know him, too. I really didn't want to miss that. The truth was, I was a little crabby about it. I really didn't want to go away. I also had a baptism this Sunday, at the late service. So, even though I wasn't preaching, I had responsibilities.
In fine marital tradition, we reached a compromise. We actually drove into town, just for my late service this morning. And then we drove back here, had a great Southwestern Chipotle Pizza at a little place on their historic main street.
Tomorrow, we drive back home: for good this time.
We've had a good time: learning about eagles at the National Eagle Center (I recommend this new attraction to everyone), eating at a historic Hotel, driving along the Mississippi River to Red Wing to celebrate my husband's birthday, perusing antiques.
But I don't recommend this for a normal vacation option. I drifted asleep last night thinking, "I'm in another town, and I'm going to get up and preside at worship tomorrow." I had some of those weird neurotic dreams that pastors get (I won't explain, and I haven't had them for awhile). But I'm still glad we went away, saw the bluffs, the river, the eagles, the old town.
A person just has to remain flexible, I guess. Not a bad lesson to learn.
I also learned some great lessons about Bald Eagles. More about that later.....
12 comments:
oh i highly recommend sleeping in another town and then getting up to drive and preside... oh wait that might be my daydream... oops!
I'm guessing you drove right past my hubby's childhood home. Beautiful area! We haven't gotten to the eagle place yet, but we will some day as hubby's mother still lives in the "Lake Town."
Oh I love this post and what it says about you.
You are the best Diane.
I'm glad you had some time away, even if it involved a sort of awkward compromise.
Look forward to reading about the eagles.
Our local newspaper is calling these short, local trips "Staycations."
My bad dream now: not being packed to fly...the plane is leaving soon...AHHHHHH! I empathize with the presiding nightmare. As a teacher, I nightmared about "no lesson plan; kids run wild." It's a bad feeling.
It is a neat place. Cool compromise...enjoy the rest of your "stay-cation."
glad you got to see the eagles! on my holiday I got to see ospreys! There is some "symbiosis" between those two species I believe...
Oh we have bald eagles here in Iowa. So beautiful to watch flying over. Seems everyone is taking weird vacations this year. We never vacation because every day is one! LOL.
Starved rock state park in Illinois is also a great place to see Bald Eagles...only you are supposed to view them in January when they are nesting or is that when the babies are learning to fly? I forget...anyway, I really understand that night of weird dreams over the distance and presiding....glad you enjoyed the time as much as possible...
Diane, I love the way you write about your adventures. At least, you make them that way.
the river, the bluffs, the eagles -- that all sounds great!
I so enjoyed seeing this side of you in the tensions of competing concerns. We have a couple bald eagles on the Susquehanna River, but no eagle center.
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