Vacations come in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes. Some are so well planned that they cannot possible go wrong. Others are spur-of-the-moment wanderings which somehow go surprisingly right.
This one was perfect. First, let me say that it is hard not to enjoy a week when the only variation is the weather is how many little white puffy clouds are blown across the azure sky by the ocean breeze. 90 degrees hardly seems hot when one is laying by the pool or strolling the crystal beach. And while we did plan the occasional outing, much of the time was spent--especially by the girls--lounging poolside in the sun, kicking out a ridiculous amount of reading, and tanning as only the Seibt women can. That means much sunscreen was slathered, and we all burned anyway. Especially the porcelain-skinned Princess Rebecca.
We were able to spend a good deal of time with the grandpa we don't often see. The guys spent many a morning with dad, meeting a couple hundred of his closest friends and doing all that "guy stuff." There was fishing, and boating, lumber yards, car repair, and numerous meals with familiar waitresses who delight in meeting more charming Seibt men. There were late family meals from the grill eaten on the patio with a good wine or a cold beer, sunset ocean cruises to find the dolphins, Key Lime pie created by the island man himself.
There was time with the Naples grands as well, driving the golf cart and playing cards in the heat of the day. Delightful to see Grandma's friend Rose and catch up with her family news, too. A wonderful concert by the Naples Philharmonic of Frank Sinatra music which turned out to be a little Sinatra, a nod to the Italians, and a LOT of opera--GLORIOUS!
20 years ago there would not have been a cell phone. In retrospect, perhaps we should ALL leave our cells at home for the next trip. There was certainly enough contact to throw an occasional hiccup into our holiday bliss, what with the continuing familial drama on any given day. Would I have been better off not knowing what was going on up north? Realistically, being out of the loop is probably as hard as being in. And God knows the kids would be shaking with the DT's after two days of tech withdrawal.
Yep. 8 days spent doing very little, in a wonderful location, with the people I love most. Rest, relax, read, renew, recharge, rewind. The ultimate week of R&R (&R&R&R&R). It might not have achieved total and permanent bliss, but it sure took a huge edge off a tremendously bad winter, and gave me back a smile.
When can we go again?
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