Hawaii

The land of alohas, leis and luaus seems like a wonderful place to forget the turmoil that daily life can bring.

Come to think of it, I sure could use the laid-back atmosphere right about now. Based on afternoon developments, I'm about ready to take my bunch and fly this coop.

North Shore here we come.

I wish!

Prague

I know nothing about Prague other than accounts from those who have traveled there.

Several people, of different age groups, have all described it as one of the most beautiful cities they visited.

In fact, two world-traveling, beer-loving friends said it was the BEST place they had ever been. Because I used to travel extensively with one of them for work, I trust his judgment.

He especially knows how much I love to eat at great restaurants and how important the atmosphere of a place is. I know he wouldn't steer me wrong.

It does seem quite lovely and picturesque.

Waterboys/girls

Yesterday we participated in our first 10K.

Before anyone gets the wrong impression let me state that we are not runners.

We aren't bikers either - part of the race was a bike ride.

Confused?

If we didn't run or bike then you are probably wondering what we did.

We had the all-important job of manning the water table!

It's a big responsibility standing by with cups of water that spill too easily if they aren't filled to the appropriate level. You don't want to be responsible for slowing those runners down, especially those leading the pack.

Joking aside, the Love Your Heart Run/Crank Your Heart Ride benefits a great cause. Because one of my dearest friends is responsible for organizing the race, I volunteered the entire family.

It was a rain or shine event, but the rain didn't damper anyone's spirits. There were hundreds of participants.

Next year I'll make sure to have a pair of rainboots for each of us. I have no idea what happened to the two pair I used to have, but I came prepared with multiple shoes and pairs of socks (OK, so maybe I went home right before the race started to get a few more things).

Jack loved it - mud, rain, cold weather and and all!

Ireland

Long before I visited France or England, I wanted to travel to Ireland.

I think it has something to do with believing for years that I was of Irish descent. Actually, I still believe my maiden name is Irish, even though my uncle swears it is Scottish.

It's not easy giving up an ethnicity you've claimed for years.

In high school, one of my best friends, who also swears her maiden name is Irish, traveled with her grandmother and a group of senior citizens to Ireland.

I was so jealous - minus the large group of senior citizens part.

I can still picture the photo of her hanging upside down kissing the Blarney Stone.

Shortly after Mattie was born, Matt's mom and step-dad visited Ireland. She brought back brochures about the city of Killarney, a place I'd never heard of.

She said it would be the perfect spot in Ireland to visit with children.

It was around that time I renewed my intent to one day visit the land of leprechauns, shamrocks and St. Patrick and to find out for certain where my Irish roots might lie.

Key West

If I had been writing about traveling in my early 20s, I probably would have written solely about trips to the beach.

I still love the beach. In fact, we're heading to the Gulf in a few weeks with some friends and their children.

But the older I get, the less I find myself drawn to beach destinations.

Maybe it's the age spots and lines I notice more and more everyday. It think it also has something to do with me breaking out in a weird rash on my legs and stomach the last few times I've spent more than a day in the sun at the beach???

Never the less, I'd like to spend about a month in Key West.

It's been so long since I've had a beach vacation that lasted more than a few days. As relaxing as even a few days can be, I long for the days when we can slow down for longer periods of time and enjoy life at a snail's pace.

I don't know what it is about the beach, but it seems to make you do just that.

When I was in junior high and high school, my grandparents had a condo in Panama City, Fla. I can remember spending weeks at a time there.

I would love for my own children to be able to spend more time by the water enjoying the sea air.

Key West is so remote, I think it would be the prefect place to unwind and enjoy a long vacation in the sun and sand.

South Africa

I can't explain why I want to go to South Africa.

I just feel drawn to it.

It may be that it would be an awesome place for Jack to get a glimpse of massive great white sharks.

It may be that I recently heard a student discussing her time in Capetown and Johannesburg and it sounded almost mystical.

It may be that it's an entirely different continent and that alone draws me.

It may be all the stories the The Gypsy Mama tells about her homeland.

It may be the history.

It may be the beauty.

It may be that the soil and story of a land so different from my own has an unexplainable allure.

Whatever the reason, it's another place on my travel wish list.

The Pink Palace

All these years of not wanting anything for Christmas, Valentine's Day or our anniversary are going to add up.

When it comes time to collect, I know exactly what I want.

Two nights here:

It's affectionately known as The Pink Palace.

There's no telling what its walls could reveal.

I'm thinking our 10-year anniversary coming up in two years will be perfect timing!