These are a few of my favorite places . . .
During this lull in travel opportunities for my wife and me (she is back in the classroom and very BUSY at this time of year), I thought I would share some memories of my favorite vacation destinations and solicit some of your ideas for the site.
FAVORITE DESTINATIONS
My all-time favorite travel destination was Aruba. Despite the pall cast over the island because of the issue over Natalee Holloway’s disappearance, my wife and I still have very fond memories of the week we spent there a decade ago with her brother Ron and our sister-in-law Judi.
I enjoyed the visit so much that I wrote a lengthy article about it for The Florida Times-Union. Some of the editors for the TU Lifestyle section must have liked it too because they featured it on the front page of that section on a Sunday. I think I still have about a couple hundred copies of the article if you want to read it. Just kidding.
Like I said, except for the snafu over the passport, the trip was remarkable from start to finish. Probably the two things I remember most about the former Dutch colony are the weather and the friendliness of the residents. The temperature year-round in Aruba is a refreshing 80 degrees due to the southern trade winds and tourism officials proudly point out that it is “one happy island.” Tourism is the island’s chief source of revenue and visitors are made to feel welcome. As an example, a retail store manager spent more than an hour helping me find the location of a local Rotary club meeting. And I didn’t even buy anything in his store!
I have to admit that I had been smitten with the idea of Aruba ever since the Beach Boys came out with their classic song, “Kokomo.” Remember the line “Aruba, Jamaica, ooooh I wanna take ya to Kokomo?” The island experience certainly lived up to my expectations. I wholeheartedly endorse a visit there if you get a chance. Just don’t let your young sons or daughters go there alone.
North Carolina Mountains
We have been to the mountains on several occasions and always leave there eager for
