Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Kickin' It Beach Style

You all will have to forgive me if this post makes zero sense--I'm still a little jet lagged from this weekend. My entire extended family spent a long weekend skiing in Keystone, Colorado. Which was great, save for the few minutes of screaming from my toddler on the plane. All was made better, though, by the foot of fresh powder that fell the night we arrived.

So, for me, it's pretty appropriate that we're discussing favorite travel places this week. And while I do love me some chair lifts, black diamond runs and drinking hot chocolate, I'm going to have to pick a beach destination as my favorite place to travel. Specifically, one destination: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

My family has been visiting HHI for over twenty years. Miles of wide, flat, soft beaches, a relaxed island attitude and fabulous restaurants like the Salty Dog Cafe. It truly is like a second home to me, every corner occupying some memory of childhood. And I LOVE that I'm passing the tradition down to my son.

If forced to make a second choice, then I'm going to pick another beach destination--Port Douglas, Australia. My husband and I honeymooned there. We fell in love with the Great Barrier Reef, the easygoing "No worries, Mate" attitude and Bees Knees beer. We still crack up when we think about the three things any Australian mentioned when they heard we live in Chicago: Al Capone, Oprah and Jerry Springer. Hilarious, but a little frightening. We can't wait to go back someday. (Not likely to be soon--see aforementioned toddler scream-a-thon.)

Of course, we already have our week picked out for HHI this year. But there are a few other places I hope to visit soon. Here's my short list: Sedona, Arizona; Ireland (Like, all of it); Greek Islands; and Barcelona, Spain.

Bon Voyage!

3 comments:

Lisa Patton said...

Would KILL to go to Australia. Love, love, love Hilton Head! One of my craziest teenage memories ever - getting chased by an alligator. OMG Glad you got to steal away to Colorado!

Jillian Cantor said...

Maureen, I spent nearly every family vacaction as a child in Hilton Head. I haven't been there in years, but this so made me want to go back! And Lisa, I remember seeing some alligators there, but never getting chased by one. Yikes!

Maureen Lipinski said...

That's so awesome you guys have been to HHI! Maybe we should do a Novel Girls retreat to the island!

Oh, and if either of you guys know who Gregg Russell is (guy who sings beneath the big oak tree in Harbor Town), he's STILL there. 25 years later! I will DIE if he ever retires!