We are thinking of going somewhere for Christmas this year, mainly because it is simply too darn hard to try and "celebrate" since we lost our son. The first year we went to the Keys, and although extremly hard, it was beautiful. Next year stayed home and did nothing except get through it - very hard. Last year we got up the courage to put a tree up again and while it was wonderful to see all our ornaments collected for 34 years again, it was just too damn bitter-sweet and emotional. Just going through the motions...

SO! This year, we are thinking of going somewhere again since that seemed to work the best. We don't want to spend the amount of $$ we did flying to the Keys (well, one of us doesn't... ) so somewhere driveable, up to 8 hours or so from southeast Virginia. We will probably be able to stay a week if we desire. We like both cold or warmer locations. (Somewhere not too "family" oriented ie: lots of children probably easier to handle.) More on the quiet, relaxing side vs loud and energetic, but we aren't couch potatoes. We love the outdoors, fishing, sightseeing...

Ideas? Where have you gone that you had a nice time? Tacky souveniers sent to the individual whose suggestion / idea we use! (Or maybe that should be a LB gift certificate?

If it was me I would head up and get a cottage and where that cottage would be would have snow. I white chirstmas in an intimate location but ok for Falcon to roll in the snow. Lol you can always come to wisconsin. lol

Beach cottage for the week?

Dennis loves Nags Head, I love Caswell Beach further south in NC. The little town of Southport (the "town" area of Caswell) has a nice ticky-tacky Christmas festival/parade you could try. Both are very dog-friendly so your boys could go with you.

Maybe go build houses for Habitat for Humanity for a week, or spend a week in Utah at Best Friends volunteering.

My heart goes out to you, Barbara.

I'm not attempting to shamelessly plug my home state, but what about Christmas in Vermont? We have snow and sleigh rides, tons of really cute tacky souvenirs, skiing, etc. Lots of Christmas parties in lodging areas too, and the people are friendly and welcoming. Stowe is an especially lovely getaway spot at that time of year, though I'd be hard-pressed to think of a 'bad' place to be.

There's lots of lodging options, from B&B's to quaint little cabins, many of them dog-friendly if that's something you're into. I personally like to cross country ski or snow shoe with a doggie entourage, though I'll admit it's been awhile. So bundle up and come to Vermont

I don't think it falls into your 8 hour drive limit, but it is driving distance (though we drive from VT to FL, so maybe I'm not the best judge of what's feasibly drivable;-)

I'm so sorry about your son, I can't even wrap my head around how hard that must be.

Barbara, I am so very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine the pain and grief of losing a child.

Normally I would suggest the gulf, and some deep sea fishing but that is probably not the best choice this year!

What about a trip to DC to see the Smithsonians, or New York City for a few days then a cabin somewhere out of the city for a few days.

I love new orleans, it is such an amazing city, and in the winter it is not so damn hot and muggy.

We were in Savannah, GA in January. It was cooler than usual, but we still enjoyed it. We did a few days in Savannah then drove up to Charleston, SC for a few days. I read all I could about both places before we went. Lots of history and interesting architecture in both cities.

 Quote: Mariellena Simon

We were in Savannah, GA in January. It was cooler than usual, but we still enjoyed it. We did a few days in Savannah then drove up to Charleston, SC for a few days. I read all I could about both places before we went. Lots of history and interesting architecture in both cities.

Barbara, if you do Charleston/Savannah we are getting together, as I'll be right in the middle of those two cities.

 Quote: meredith hamilton

Beach cottage for the week?

Dennis loves Nags Head, I love Caswell Beach further south in NC. The little town of Southport (the "town" area of Caswell) has a nice ticky-tacky Christmas festival/parade you could try. Both are very dog-friendly so your boys could go with you.

Maybe go build houses for Habitat for Humanity for a week, or spend a week in Utah at Best Friends volunteering.

My heart goes out to you, Barbara.

We both love Nags Head and spend a week each October and often in the summer as well... love it. I haven't tried Caswell, but will look into that area as ticky-tacky Christmas parades are right up our alley.

I do a lot of volunteering year round, so probably won't do so on this trip, but that IS an excellent suggestion for taking one's mind off of one's own problems! (which is why I do it year round...)

Can someone walk me through how to paste comments from several posts onto one reply post??

Edited by Barbara Schuler (07/09/2010 08:46 AM)
Edit reason: spelling booboo

If you click the little Quick Quote button at the bottom of the post you want to quote it should past it into your reply box, then you just have to pick what you want and delete the rest of it.