Thursday, August 7, 2008

Meg's Fantasy Vacation

My fantasy vacation involves a West Coast beach and John Cusack. But short of that, I’m living my fantasy vacation at this very moment. No, you didn’t land at the wrong blog (although you could be intoxicated, I wouldn’t know). Meg is actually having the time of her life.

I know, I know…hard to believe. Meg is happy (it’s in vogue now to refer to yourself in the third person).

Most folks wouldn’t think a family reunion with 36 other people (21 of them kids) at a sandy destination with no dry towels in sight as a fantasy vacation.

But here’s the deal. No one’s locked themselves in the bathroom, or the keys in the car. There’ve been no meltdowns over ice cream, or animal products touching vegetable products on their dinner plate. Or at least none that I know about.

That’s because, by some oversight, fluke, alignment of the stars, heck intoxication could be involved, I wouldn’t know, but the organizers of this trip assigned our kids, in fact all the kids, to the two other rented houses.

Yes, I am vacationing in a house WITHOUT KIDS. Insert endless exclamation marks here.

We are in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. It’s a Mayberry-like version of East Coast beaches. There’s the old-fashioned boardwalk complete with arcades, Thrashers French Fries, and The Candy Kitchen. The Candy kitchen sells the requisite fudge and salt water taffy and it also sells rainbow lace licorice.

Yes, Rehoboth's a Mayberry-like attraction and a Provincetown-like attraction. Not only is there nothing wrong with that, sharing the resort with alternative life stylers means there is plenty of fine dining and home accessory shops.

But being kidless with great restaurants and shopping doesn’t make it a dream vacation.

This does:



Rehoboth is the home of Dogfish Head Brewery.

THE FREAKIN' HOME!!!

As many of you may know, I like my hops. And if you don’t know, I’ll tell you: I like my hops.

But not just any hops. My favorite beer in the world is Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA.



But even that doesn’t make it a fantasy vacation.

After years of vacationing here, by some oversight, fluke, I prefer to think of it as divine intervention, we’ve been assigned to a house two blocks from my favorite brewery which makes my favorite beer.

TWO FREAKIN'BLOCKS!!!

In the interest of full disclosure: in past years some of us drove to the pub in the middle of the afternoon and got so hopped up we had to leave the car in the lot and walk 3 miles back. And walking 3 miles all hopped up is dangerous because there are all kinds of other pubs along the way and well, you get the idea (don’t worry, our kids have been well instructed on what to do if they get caught in a rip tide).

Anyway, I am kidless,
and two blocks from the best pub in the world,
and the best pub in the world has free Wi-Fi.

What could be better?

This:




The day we leave Rehoboth I’m heading to Baltimore to see Wilco at the Virgin Festival. As many of you may know, I like my Wilco. And if you don’t know, reread the previous sentence.

In the interest of full disclosure: the Cusack thing is really just a lark. I always wanted to use that word, lark. I think it’s United Kingdom for harmless frolic. The love of my fantasy life is really Jeff Tweedy of Wilco (I think Ms. Picket knows that).

And now I have my Jeff Tweedy,
and my hops,
and my Wi-Fi,
and the beach—which I promised the kids I would indeed visit one of these days.

***

Stay tuned for Caption Contest Winners Chosen Live from Dogfish Head. Or not, depending…

Until then, VOTE for this post at Humor-Blogs where there is a lot of lark.

26 comments:

Arpeggio Andy said...

Mental note to self: remember to drink Dogfish Head IPA when the beer odyssey takes me to the west coast.

Korie said...

Sounds pretty awesome. You had me at "beach". I love the beach. And not the Belgian coast type of beach. Screw that gray north sea water and rough sand.

Anonymous said...

Sounds very sweet. As one who hasn't been on a vacation in about two years, I am extremely jealous. Glad you're enjoying the beer and the music.

I like Wilco, have a few albums, but I could take or leave Jeff Tweedy, but them I'm a heterosexual male too. But my wife is head over heels about John Cusack. I think it's her way of getting back at me because Steffi Graf and I were born not only on the same day, but the same year and I have a crush on her. :)

Caution/Lisa said...

And to think we were happy with our destination back yard vacation this year. We are such losers.

Anonymous said...

hi .... nice blog

for a different kind of girl said...

Could I be any more jealous?! Seriously. You had me at the whole no kids thing. I could use some of that beer to calm the headache my kids have inflicted upon me today. Who cares if it's only 10 a.m.!

Meg said...

Andy: It's East Coast. You must be drunk.

Lilacspecs: Yes, beach with lifeguards, love it!!

Unfinished: Tweety is a writer--a song writer--need I say more?

Caution Flag: Backyard vacations mean easy access to computers!!!

Tozie: Thanks, I try.

Different Kind of Girl: It's noon somewhere.

Jeff and Charli Lee said...

I'm going on vacation next week. I'm still trying to figure out how to lose my kids for awhile during that week so I can enjoy some grownup time with my friends.

Suzie said...

Can I come. I want to be kidless too and drink beer. Im so jealous I could spit.

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Don't have too much fun. Or I will have to be very, very jealous. Wait. I already am.

You totally suck.

But have fun anyhow.

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Unfinished:

Let it go already. You've only been talking about that for like 15 years....so what if you have the same birthday as Graf! She's married and has kids. Let it goooooo!

Alice said...

Your planets have aligned darling!

Enjoy yourself - I'm going out today (since I'm kid-free until Sat.) and will pick up your beer recommendation.

April said...

I just wrapped up 3 days of being kidless. I was so stupid, all I did was relax! Glad the family reunion has been so surprisingly pleasant.

Kirsten said...

I'm jealous!! No kids+lots of great beer=the perfect vacation for sure!

Stephanie M said...

I am super jealous about you going to the Virgin Festival :( Esp. Foo Foo and Jack J. Also - I STILL want a John C. finger puppet - weren't you the one who had a picture of one on your blog? :)

Chat Blanc said...

WOW! it's like you won the vay-kay lottery!! Enjoy!

Citizen Dorph said...

I too love hops, I'll have to try and find that beer around here... And in case you're still concerned, I got another bag of Chex Mix sans the rye chips. There goes my safety deposit for the apartment....

Meg said...

Jeff: TV is a beautiful thing!

Suzie: Let's do it. Hopefully you're like me and can't hold your alcohol.

Jonny's Mommy: Yes, your brother has issues.

Alice: Be careful, it's 9% alcohol and can make you see Zombies.

April: Relaxing is good. With a Cusack video!!

Meg said...

Momjeans: Yes, perfect when you add in Tweedy!

Stephanie: Yes, we'll see the Foo Fighters, although Wilco should have won that Grammy!!

Sandy: Like I said, divine intervention.

Citizen Dorph: Invite me over.

April said...

now that sounds like fun! beer and tunes

Jen said...

Sounds pretty perfect... I think you were due this after the LA trip.

Sue Wilkey said...

Woah- new masthead since I was last here! Sonny but no Cher! I'm freakin' out! Looks good, tho. :)

OMG I failed the first intoxication - I mean - word verification test....

Mozi Esme said...

Sounds like a wonderful life!

Anonymous said...

You must be in brewery heaven!




peace
#2

robkroese said...

Sounds like a great time.

MsPicketToYou said...

Give Tweedy a big wet one from me.