Last Fourth of July, my poor husband was bed-ridden, a rare occurrence. He couldn’t even drive to the fireworks stand let alone make it to our beach cabin to host our annual BBQ for family and friends, followed by a pyromaniac’s dream come true.
What bothered my husband the most was that our four-year-old grandson was disappointed. The little guy had been looking forward to our over-the-top display.
Several days after the fourth, my husband was still bemoaning our grandson’s disappointment. He said, “I wish we could take the kids to Disneyland,” meaning our two grandchildren and our older son and daughter-in-law. My husband and I had another trip planned, but after calling our son and his wife to get the green light, he swapped plane tickets and made hotel reservations for Disneyland in southern California.
After what must have seemed like an eternity for our grandkids, our jet finally touched down on the LAX tarmac. The next day, we literally had a scream on Splash Mountain. I went along on the hair-raising ride to be a good sport, but I don’t recommend it unless you enjoy a fifty-foot drop and getting wet. They don’t call it Splash Mountain for nothing. Fortunately the 90 degree weather dried my curly hair in moments. A pokey ride like It’s A Small World is more my speed.
Later that afternoon, surrounded by the stroller-pushing throng, I was struck with the notion that I’d had enough blaring noise and glitz. I found myself looking for something Plain or just one horse-and-buggy. How dumb is that?
Have your best laid plans ever taken a radical U-turn? Has a vacation done a belly flop or turned out to be better than expected? Do you prefer peaceful promenades over roller coasters? If you could wish upon a star, where would you land?
Please leave a comment and enter to win one book in The Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. Winner has one week to respond. USA & Canada.
That looks like awesome fun ! We have not been anywhere like that with the kids. I can’t wait till I get my van so that i can take them out to do things this fall and winter. I would love to win one of your books and if I did I would pick Penn. patchwork.
Blessings
Linda Marie Finn
Women Professing Godliness
http://www.faithfulacres.net
Our vacation was more than we could have ever expected. Watching our grandson and the characters at Disney made everything perfect. I like just walking around and taking pictures, but the merry go round was a lot of fun, faster than I remember, but way fun. If I wished upon a star I would land in Europe.
Your trip to Disneyland sounds delightful, Sparkle! I hope you get to Europe some day. Thanks for writing!
We took our granddaughter there for the Princess Lunch, so nice! Wish I lived closer!
Oh, a Princess Lunch sounds darling, Sonja. Thanks for leaving a comment!
I love going to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. A cabin in the mountains is a dream come true for me. Love the peace and quite. Thanks for a chance to win your book.
Thanks for writing, Donna! I’ve never been to the Great Smoky Mountains and I must someday. I just googled it and saw incredible images. Good luck in the book giveaway!
I haven’t been on a vacation in five years, but if I could wish upon a star it would be to land in the Rockies, Estes Park, CO. Or, in Big Sky Country, MT to see my Dad. I love the country, love the hiking, love God’s beautiful creation… would choose that every time over a busy theme park!
Blessings,
Kelly Y
Oh, dear, five years seems too long, Kelly. I agree, no one creates and entertains better than God! Thanks for writing and good luck in the book giveaway!
Several of my planned vacations have gone belly -up.if I had the perfect vacation planned ,it would be right in the middle of Amish country,Lancaster,Penn.Thank you for this chance to win one of your books.
Linda Stowe
Good destination choice, Linda! Thanks so much for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Our best vacation was one where we took off in our car and had no plans, just stopped when we wanted and explored what was interesting to us.
My worst was as a child. My parents took us to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Our car broke down on the way, bugs were horrible, and we had to stay inside our motel until our parents decided to get up each day. They were late morning sleepers!
Wow, I’m impressed that you just took off w/o plans, Gail! I’ve driven across the country several times and explored along the way, but always there was a final destination. Your worst vacation sounds like the worst! Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
A stay in the hospital this summer cancelled a trip to Maine, but I feel so much better than I did so I’m thinking that’s more important anyway. Would love to win, thanks for the opportunity! Linda
Thanks for writing, Linda! I’m glad you feel better. Improved health is more valuable than any trip. Good luck in the giveaway!
I’ve read Leaving Lancaster and would love to read the other two books in the series.
I’d love you to read Pennsylvania Patchwork and Forever Amish too, Jean! Good luck in the book giveaway!
I prefer peaceful promenades over roller coasters ! Wishing upon a star? I am just pretty content on right where I am. Although, maybe a nice quiet cabin alongside a running creek would be awesome 🙂
How fabulous that you’re content, Deanna! When I was a child,, my parents owned a summer cabin by a creek. I can still hear the playful water in my ears. Thanks for bringing that peaceful memory back to me. Good luck in the giveaway!
I am pretty content.. but if I would I would take a vacation to either Hawaii or Disneyland with my aunt who is my caregiver!! I love reading your books.
A trip to a tropical paradise with your aunt sounds delightful, Andrea! Thanks for entering the book giveaway and good luck!
When I was in college, my mom and I accidentally got left behind from our tour bus in Paris. There we were, stranded in one of the world’s largest cities! So, after a few minutes of panic, we decided to make the best of it and explore the city by walking around and going to the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and having brunch in the Champs Elysees. In retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise because we didn’t spend the whole morning stuck on the bus–we actually got to experience Paris firsthand!
Lisa, your expedition through Paris sounds fantastic! I’ve walked many miles there and gotten lost a few times. You’d think with a river running through the expansive city a person wouldn’t get turned around, but not so. Thanks for writing!
If I could wish upon a star in heaven, I’d wish for another special vacation with my late husband. We had many great vacations making wonderful memories, but we had planned to go back to Alaska on our 30th wedding anniversary when I retired. (We went on our 20th and had a magnificent time!) But, God had other plans and called him home right after our 25th anniversary. What a great post!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
If I could wish on a star and land anywhere it would be Paris France. Sharma Darby
I think Paris is the most beautiful city, Sharma! But sometimes its occupants can be a bit snobbish; they pretend they can’t understand you when it’s to their advantage. But worth the inconvenience to see the extraordinary art and architecture, and to sample the food. Thanks for writing. Hope your dream comes true!
Yes,A trip to Gatlinburg with my daughter in Feb. turned out better than we thought because we got snowed in for her birthday
Being snowed in on your daughter’s birthday sounds like a rare treat, Sheila! Thanks for writing and entering the book giveaway. Good luck!