I love beach towns at Christmas.

Being from the North East I have no concept of driving anyplace that is actually far away. So it is hard for me to visualize how long it would take you to get somewhere,. but as an example I love Cape Cod in the winter. Its amazing how pretty and peaceful it is off season. Its just so different from the summer craziness.

.Last 3 yrs we have gone to the Keys. Last year the weather was bad, but it was still fun. We rent a dog friendly place in Summerland Key. No tree, no presents--the trip is the gift.
Child problems have also left us shattered and changed, and finished with Christmas at home. We've been considering going to the oil areas and volunteering.
My heart goes out to you re-the loss of your son.

Summerland Key.........My old stomping ground. I lived on Cudjoe key back in the days of wine and roses....

Tenn has some beautiful spots and rentals are reasonable. Any of the gambling destinations like Biloxi? I was going to recommend the Virgin Islands, I love St John, but that's not exactly drivable. Plus it's so much cheaper before Dec 15th!

I hate to suggest driving N in the winter, but I hear Canada is just gorgeous--anyone have any experience?



Please accept my deepest condolences.

A coworker went to Arizona last Christmas and really enjoyed himself, weather was great

We went to calgary and banff and some place in the middle of the mountains one summer. Absolutely stunning!

It would be totally different in the winter though, perfect if you like snow I bet...but certainly not an 8 hour drive

Before you got to all the qualifications, I was gonna say "Hawaii!" There's nothing like swimming in the ocean there and hearing the whales sing while you're under water<sigh>.

I'll bet Quebec City is amazing at Christmas. Way over an 8 hour drive, tho.

I'd probably head for somewhere in the Keys, but I'm such a fool for water that's no surprise.

While my suggestions aren't very practical for you, I'm enjoying reading everyone else's .

(BTW, I've been trying to figure out that quoting multiple replies thing and you are way beond me!)

I also send my condolences for the loss of your son. Children just aren't supposed to go before the parents; it's so far beyond rotten there's just no scale for it, Barbara.

leih

The only destination that I can suggest within an 8 hour drive would be the Old Colonial Villiage of Williamsburg, VA. I have not been there for holidays, but have some friends that have been there at Christmas & Thanksgiving & have said how wonderful it is. I know that this is not vary far away form where you already are & that you may have already done that. I personally like Cape Cod,MA, VT & NH, but they are much further than an 8 hour drive. Although I like the 'islands', Christmas to me has to hopefully have snow. But that is just me...I'm a sucker for the traditional old fashioned Christmas.

Barbara, I am so sorry for the loss of your son. My heart cries for what you have had to endure. No parent should EVER have to bury their child. There is NOTHING that could possibly compare to that kind of loss. I applaud your strength.

My son was in a serious Motorcycle accident a couple of months ago & when the police called me from the scene, my heat stopped until they told me that he was conscience & on his way to the holpital trauma unit. All I could think of was: that he was AWAKE, he has to be going to be ok, right? That was my mantra all the way to the hospital. I can't even think of what I would have done if I had lost him.

Thank you everyone for the kinds words on losing Adam. It is simply beyond description, but I know many, many folks out there face similar situations, if not worse. He was a great young man and we miss him terribly and holidays simply suck. OKAY - enough of that! (But thanks again).

I'd love, love to see Canada at some point, and Alaska, but that won't happen this Christmas.

If Arizona was closer, I'd be heading there just to lend my support in regard to the right of individual states to govern as they so chose...

If money were no object, Hawaii it would be. We took a week's cruise around the islands to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and LOVED, LOVED every moment. I cried like a baby when I had to come back to reality! Seeing lava flow into the ocean at night from a small cruise ship was a-w-e-s-o-m-e. (I was born in Tripler Army Hospital wayyyy back in the day!)

Tennessee has real potential. I'm going to look into that a bit more. I bet it is beautiful in December... I wonder if there are any hores drawn sleighs?

Thanks for the good ideas... don't stop if something else strikes you!