Friday Five: Vacation Edition

Hey!  I’m back from my {Michigan} vacay! Unlike my last trip home (so homesick for my parents that I basically stayed by their sides the whole time) I had big plans for the seven days I would be back in my hometown.

I was visiting for my brother’s wedding but as soon as that was over I was on my way to crossing off my Muskegon bucket list items with a vengeance.

Without further ado, I present to you…

Five ways to vacay in your hometown {in my opinion, of course}:

Pretend to be a tourist in your own hometown.  Drive or stroll around your hometown and take in old familiar sights.  Marvel at the changes and advances; reminisce about what used to be.  I took my nephew around town on the Muskegon Beach Town trolley.  I loved showing him where my grandfather used to work and telling him about the time I house sat for a friend and found three deer standing on the corner, in the city, watching the waves roll in from Lake Michigan.

Make time to visit things you love.  Notice I said things here and not people.  My childhood home sat on Sullivan Road.  There’s a tree growing in the front yard that I love.  I love that I grew up with it.  I stopped by to take a look.  It was tall and lovely.  Its branches heavy with leaves and green with health.  I’m always glad to see it standing, still.

Make time to do what someone else wants to do.  In my case, it was playing Monopoly.  My nephew has loved  playing it since he was barely old enough to count spaces much less manage money.  It’s a long and involved game but I do it because he loves it.  And apparently, I’m the only person who will indulge him and play.

Do something you wouldn’t normally do.  Y’all.  I put on a swim suit.  I went in the water.  All the way into the water.  Dunked my head and all.  It was hotter in Michigan than Arkansas, you guys.  And humid, too.  I spent Sunday at the beach with cousins and my nephew.  I laid in the sun.  I didn’t care if people looked at my big bum or white legs.  I enjoyed  it.

Visit as many family and friends as possible. This is a difficult one for me:  so many people, so little time.  Luckily a wedding brings people together and I could knock out a bunch of family in one shot.  I had a little guy {turning 1 year old this week!!} to meet.  I stayed two nights with family that I’ve never stayed with before and enjoyed a sit down meal and fun conversations. Unfortunately there were missed opportunities and lunch dates not realized.  I hate that.  There were also fly-by hugs.  They were the best hugs of the whole trip. Thanks, Melly!

What are your best vacation tips?  I hope to put them to good use soon!