Summer Memories

Artwork from digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When I get to this time of year, I often remember my summers spent with my cousin in Ohio. I would stay there for a few weeks, then she would stay with me in NY. I don't remember much of what we did at my place (with the exception of the summer we went together to camp.) I do, however, my days spent with her.

My summer days at my cousin's house were special because she lived in, or rather near, the city. We could walk to the pool (something we did nearly every day, even though it was about a mile away.) It was often so hot that the cooling effects of the refreshing dip would be over-ridden by the heat of the sun long before we returned home.But the experience was something different and, I guess, exciting for me - going there, then stopping for candy or ice cream on the way back.

Then, there were the fun houses we would create in her garage. We'd get my older cousin involved, too (before he got too old to want to participate). We'd make up a scary/fun house and invite the neighbor kids. And, there were always a ton of neighbor kids there! This was something we planned on every summer, and, it seems, each year our plans got more and more elaborate.

Finally, when I was a little older (I think around 12-13), I learned how to ride the bus with my cousin to the mall (a city bus - something unheard of out in the country!) This allowed us a freedom previously unknown, and prepared me to be prepared for public transportation as I grew older and traveled around other cities.

I'm sure there were fireworks and sparklers; mosquito bites and sunburns and calamine lotion. If I try, I can remember it all. Just wish, sometimes, that I could bring it back.

Time Lapse

I am still trying to overcome jetlag after returning from a recent trip out west. It is interesting what time and time changes can do to your system. I am finding that I am hungry at the strangest hours, and not hungry when I normally should be. And then there's the exhaustion.

Part of this (the exhaustion) problem was caused by the time difference. But a big part of it was caused by sleep deprivation which came from being awake for nearly two days straight due to an unexpected layover.

I don't like to travel by plane, and before this trip, I hadn't for over 10 years. This trip reminded me why I don't like to travel by plane. Those who embrace this type of travel will tell you it is faster. Well, if you get there on time, maybe it is faster. Or not, depending on how early you need to get to the airport, and then how long you need to stand in lines. A trip from RI to NY should only take an hour, but you need to get to the airport several hours ahead of time. In all that time waiting, you could be driving. Or taking the train, which I generally prefer.

And another advantage of driving - no screaming children (unless they are your own). Yes, you don't get to relax and have someone else in charge of getting you to your destination, but, let's face it, how many of us can really relax on a plane with screaming kids, people reclining their seats into your lap, others talking loudly, etc. None of that in the car.

I may travel by plane again. After all, I will admit that I don't much care for driving cross country (I prefer to limit my car travel to something that I can get to in one day). And I do plan, one day to get to Europe (not easily done by car!) So, I guess, there are advantages. I'm just not ready to fully embrace this form of travel - not yet.