This past weekend, I said the word "vacation" to Gary and his back went out within the hour.
Yesterday, I asked where he wanted to go on vacation, and he said, "Here?"
Rewind to a month ago, when he said, "If we ever go to Hawaii again, I want to stay on Kauai. It's the Forest Island."
No, it's the Garden Island, because it rains all the time. I did a little research. Rainy and overcast? No strength-sapping sun? I love it. Gary would love it too, since the migraine last year left him with photophobia. (In fact, the flash of the bird camera just got him full-face and it's left him nauseated and fatigued, poor guy.)
I went in for some heavy research and found a flight/car/hotel half price if we stay off-season (when it's probably less sunny). I could afford it. I can also afford it because no one will construct a heated driveway, so I have those savings to spare. (Seriously, cement construction companies say things like "I don't do that any more, it's too expensive." or "I don't have the equipment," or "No one gets those anymore." Turning down work. Proof the economy is improving. My brief career as a robber baron, over.)
Gary sensed I was looking forward to a trip and came back to say, "Don't get too excited about vacation, you never know what my job will be like -"
"Stop it."
"You know, there aren't any bears or alligators in Hawaii." He abruptly left the room.
So, Alaska? I thought back to the inside passage, where one can view moose and bears on the shore or go back inside to the air conditioning and gourmet food. Gary countered with the La Brea tar pits and Yosemite. I parried, "Galapogos? African Safari!" You would have thought I'd said "Thailand? Sex Clubs?" Evidently, among former biology majors, touristing at those shrines is like money-changing in the temple.
Norway's Aurora season is over. What sounds good? Nature, mammals, overcast ... go!
I'd like to go to Iceland. Or Greenland, or both.
Posted by: Zayrina | May 23, 2012 at 04:29 AM
It's almost winter in New Zealand.
Posted by: Becs | May 23, 2012 at 04:45 AM
Pacific NW rainforests!
Posted by: elisabeth | May 23, 2012 at 11:54 AM
Elisabeth beat me to it, but it's as if you've just said "Washington State" to me.
Posted by: Tami | May 23, 2012 at 01:17 PM
Haven't been to Kauai in a few years, but it is magical.
We're gone a lot, but perhaps we could cross paths if you do come to Hawaii.
Have you thought about an Alaska Cruise? That's what I would do, with your tastes and interests. I want to try it next summer myself.
Posted by: Hattie | May 23, 2012 at 02:40 PM
Duh. I posted this before I finished reading what you wrote. Yes! An Alaska cruise would be perfect for you!
Posted by: Hattie | May 23, 2012 at 02:42 PM
There may not be bears or alligators, but there are mystery deer.
http://news.yahoo.com/mystery-deer-growth-pitting-hunters-against-hawaii-173250448.html
Imagine, flying all the way to Hawaii just to hit a deer like you could have a mile from home!
Posted by: Caroline | May 23, 2012 at 09:53 PM
Zayrina - I'm thinking Nova Scotia: that was close enough for the Vikings.
Becs - Oh, I mentioned NZ, but that's two days on a plane. I don't know if Gary can handle that.
Elisabeth - Hm. The only thing I know of in Wash. is Seattle. They have rainforests?
Tami - Two votes for Wash state then.
Hattie - That's the next thing I'm researching. After that, Nova Scotia.
Caroline - My god, wait till I tell Gary the biologist. He's still bummed someone brought over insects.
Posted by: TheQueen | May 23, 2012 at 10:15 PM
Also, no mammals here in NZ, apart from the human ones. Just birds. (Alligators aren't mammals either, of course.)
Scotland and Ireland are pretty reliably overcast, and have deer and foxes and suchlike. Plus whisk(e)y!
Posted by: Big Dot | May 24, 2012 at 06:32 AM
I hear Portland is nice.
Posted by: Hot Mom | May 24, 2012 at 06:46 PM
Big Dot - What? No wallabies, wombats, kangaroos?
Hot Mom - I hear it is lovely. Lots of good tea places for elderly ladies to lunch.
Posted by: TheQueen | May 25, 2012 at 06:00 PM
Augh! Not us! That's the other lot. Shocking faux pas, Queen. Tch.
Posted by: Big Dot | May 28, 2012 at 02:26 AM
Big Dot - Pish, I knew that. Just winding you up, love.
Posted by: TheQueen | May 28, 2012 at 10:47 PM