Same Ol, Same Ol

You know, it occurs to me that vacations are really personal things. I think there are a lot of feelings and emotions tied into where we visit and the reasons why. Fond memories must be high on that list. I know people who chose to visit many different locales, always after an adventure. I think those people must be disturbed. Okay,not really. Ummm, but yeah really. My husband and I have had sort-of an ongoing dialog about this for about the past year or so. And it's been interesting. We have found that we know alot of people who return to the same vacation destinations time and time again. And while we don't always understand the choice of where, we definitely identify with the why.

We are one of them. And, God willing, we will continue to be. There are places on this Earth that I haven't seen that I would someday like to, but I am in no hurry. And if I never get around to it, eh that's okay too. And don't even start with the majestic beauty of this wonderful country God created that I should show my children. Not that I disagree at all, in fact quite the opposite. I just find no good reason to drive 16 hours in a car and push my entire family to the absolute brink of sanity just to see it. I can see the wonder and beauty of this world in my backyard.

And I do understand that mesquite trees and hay fields aren't the same as say the Smoky Mountains. And you're right, I have seen the Smoky Mountains and they are beautiful. But there is beauty all around you, all you have to do is look for it. And children are really adept at this skill.

One more thing- said children may want to see the Smoky Mountains when they are 25. But when they are 10? Swimming pools, grilled cheese for dinner (or better yet, ice cream), amusement parks, and plenty of time with Mom and Dad is what they want. And that's why we vacation- to make memories together as a family. We want these times to be those that conjure up happy, relaxing memories for all four of us. Driving for days or stressing the lessons of history are not relaxing or all that pleasant for me.

So, our destination of choice? We have a few but the one we visited last week is known to us simply as "The Hyatt". Sure there are other Hyatts but not for us. This is the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio. It is a wonderful place where you can float in the river all day, have "the perfect" margarita, watch your kids play on the beach, watch a movie on the lawn, or pretty much anything else you want. We love it there. Our first trip as a family when it was time to leave, Dunk asked what we were doing and I said "going home" and he replied "I not". Then he cried. Yes, it's that good.

This picture was taken on that trip-2003 our first trip as a family-

And this one was taken in the same spot last week-our 4th trip as a family

The river and the margarita stand where you can grab a drink and charge it to your room without ever leaving the water. Genius, I tell you.

The river all empty except for a million tubes. This was our early morning when we were first in the river.

It was cold water!

Dunk began "swimming" this trip. It was great fun to watch. He had a blast though, he didn't cry when we left this time. Of course, he knows we'll be back.

The pool

The Beach

Yummy! S'mores on the beach in the evenings.