I’m taking four of the kids, everyone but Sam, back east the first two weeks in August to visit relatives. It will be my first trip home since my mother died four and half years ago and Mark and Cheryl’s first trip ever to the east coast. Paul is not coming. He and Sam will work on our new office in L.A. and maybe finish our outdoor kitchen. (Hah.) When I mentioned to a friend that I was taking four of my kids on a trip across the country, alone, without my husband, she was amazed and said, “Wow. You’re  like Sacagawea.”  Now for those of you who had to do a Google search like I did, Sacagawea was a Native American woman who, along with her infant son, traveled with Lewis and Clark acting as their interpreter and guide as they crossed the Continental Divide. Her presence assured possible enemies that “the white man” was friendly since it was  almost unheard of to see a woman traveling alone, particularly with an infant. She was an amazing woman: a mediator, a peacemaker and one hell of a gal. I only hope that I can live up to her example. Hopefully I won’t have to overcome too many obstacles. The first big challenge, aside from figuring out how to pay for this trip, (more on that later) will be getting the girls to pack lightly. Since we will be navigating subways, taxis and trains, EVERYTHING must fit in a small, rolling suitcase. The wails of outrage and despair reverberated around the neighborhood when I issued that proclamation. “Everyone for themselves.” I told the kids. “You can pack whatever you want so long as you are willing to carry it.”  This should be interesting.

I decided to take the kids on this trip for a number of reasons. For one, it has been a while since I had seen some of my siblings and the old homestead. We will fly into Columbus, Ohio to visit Paul’s sister Joan and cousin Molly, then onto NYC to stay two nights in Times Square to see the sights there, then to N. Jersey to visit my ex-father-in-law and then to S. Jersey and Pennsylvania  to visit my sister Pam, my sister Nina and my brother Tim.

Secondly, aside from the two night hotel bill, we are for the most part sponging off of relatives; the most affordable way to travel. (Travelocity and frequent flyer miles are my friend.)

And finally, I have come to the conclusion that Paul and I are simply not vacation compatible.  As an ex-New Yorker, I am more of an urban dweller. While we are in NYC we will go to two Broadway shows, visit art museums and climb to the top of the Empire State Building. While in New Jersey, I’ll take the kids on walking tours of Victorian Cape May and relax at the beach. Paul’s idea of  a vacation it taking a helicopter to the top of the mountain and skiing down it. Not for me. I love him dearly and even though we are able to find a common ground when it is just the two of us, there is often way too much compromising and negotiating when it is all of us. Paul is very physically active. I am not . I want to be able to sip iced tea on the porch and not feel guilty about it. Paul understands this and I love him for it. And the kids are THRILLED  to be going. I’ll keep you posted as the plans unfold.