Keeping Active on Vacation

Public school spring recess was April 14 - April 21.  We used the opportunity to take a family vacation.  Because several other families in Upstate NY had the same idea, we decided that it was too expensive to fly anywhere and took an old-fashioned road trip.  There are benefits to driving to your vacation destination - especially if you travel by mini-van.

Driving for 24 hours is exhausting.  We left on a Thursday night and drove straight through to a small town just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana.  Husband and I alternated at the wheel, sleeping when we could.  We kept the kids busy with electronics and got as many miles as we could behind us while they slept.

How did we stay active?  First, traveling by car, we were able to pack our active wear and sneakers.  Second, we looked up local clubs in the area and connected with them as guests.  I'd like to thank the Emerald Coast Triathlon Club and the crew at the Run With It running store for being so gracious.  Not only did we meet new people, but we had people to run, walk, and even swim with as well!

I made it my goal to be active every non-driving day.  This helped me to keep a healthy lifestyle while still enjoying some indulgence on vacation (read:  decadent dessert).  The kids saw this and were also active - swimming in the community pool and frolicking in the Gulf of Mexico - they collapsed at night, weary and sun kissed.  We also did other fun family activities including kayaking and stand up paddle board.  Connecting as a family while being active was good for the soul.

After a week, we loaded up the van and headed home.  Exhausted yet refreshed.

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Song lyrics and melodies often pop into my head.  Today I started thinking about the rainy weather we've been having and suddenly I am softly singing a Carpenters tune to myself.   This was certainly a morning where I wanted to bury myself in the covers and hibernate.  Somehow though, I found my energy and am not letting this weather get me down.
It's not technically Monday, however today is the first day of school here in the Capital District.  Driving to work this morning was no fun as commuters were hit with the double whammy of pouring rain and congested highways.  There is a definite shift in the traffic patterns when school is in session as schedules are adjusted so parents can see their children off to a new year.  The start of every school year is exciting and terrifying for just about every child and even more so for the parents. 

Personally, I don't yet have a school aged child so I have not had the opportunity to experience the wonder of a new school year through my own child's eyes.  She's in day care year round (and has 2 more years before she starts Kindergarten) and has no idea that most other children have "summer recess". 

While many people mourn the end of the season, it's time to start looking ahead at the next few months.  Fall foliage has already begun to dot the landscape and soon we will be ensconced in hues of orange, yellow, and red.  October, November, and December are full of anticipation for children and adults alike as we prepare for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas (for those who observe any of these holidays).   As far as healthy eating goes:  fall vegetables are coming into season and advertisements for apple picking abound.  Holidays aside, there really is so much to look forward to!

I'm looking forward to a pumpkin spice latte.