What's next?

I'm currently counting down: 15 days until we leave for our next vacation. Real, not virtual.

We depart for Miami and, ultimately, Key West, Florida very soon. At this point my work is largely done. Hotels are reserved, car reserved, restaurants and activities selected, and all that's left is to find a Cracker Barrel to stop at for lunch and plan our drive into Miami. We'll have a GPS system with us, so even driving directions don't have to be entirely planned out. Deals secured, work done; vacation is almost upon us.

So what's next? What's to become of my hobby? I have several challenges to take on. First, next summer we plan to take our then five year old to Williamsburg, Virginia. I've been there before, so much of the research part is already done. I will have to start to investigate suitable accommodations as well as some road trip components. No need to stop with the Colonial triangle...we'd like to see if it's reasonable to travel to Monticello, Jefferson's home. After all, the four year old is already excited to "meet" him in Williamsburg; shouldn't we make a pilgrimage to the real home? I will also have to find a suitable beach as we can't be on the East Coast and not make a trip to the shore.

Before that, there's the probability of a long weekend Disneyland adventure in the fall. This will be easily planned, but hinges on my work calendar for next year which we don't yet have. We also have the prospect of Spring Break. Again, we can't put energy into that one until we know if my vacation and my husband's match.

So, other than Williamsburg, what can I do with my time? It seems as though it's back to virtual traveling, my speciality. I would love to see Martha's Vineyard in my lifetime. And take a trip to The Hamptons as well. I know nothing about either of these locations, so herein lies my summer project. First, I'll have to learn about the regions and then start to seek out lodging. Something tells me that this will be expensive! Perhaps it's a good thing that it's virtual.