Staycation 2012!

Our local elementary school runs on a year-round schedule (which I love...and don't love, for various reasons.)  In October, Luke went off track for 3 weeks, so we all decided to take a break right along with him. Originally, we had grand plans of gallavanting around red-rock country down south, but when the weather went south up here in the north, we didn't want to risk less than ideal circumstances for a costly trip (whimps,) and decided to stay put.  Instead, we opted for a week-long...

Staycation!

It all started out with a little drive.  The kids loved that.   See the love:

  

Creighton took us on a tour of his old home country (the neighborhood he grew up in.)  His parents still live here, so we visit often, but rarely spend time cruising the neighborhood just to tell stories.  So this time we got stories.

Of Billy and Bobby and Joey (names changed) who lived in this house and that house.  Of mischief and wandering and exploring in the woods and gullies.  Classic boyhood stories.  And all the while, I absorbed the ageless charm in this part of town. 

I love old tree-lined streets and homes.  Actually, "love" doesn't adequately describe what I feel.  I am enamored, delighted, and somehow rooted in their character, their loveliness. Or, rather, there is something in me that strongly resonates with them.  In fact, before we were married, Creighton and I bonded over our dreams of restoring (and living in) an old beauty someday.  We would stroll up and down these streets on perfect summer eves and sigh and dream away.  Some of that dream has come true over the years in homes we have lived in and loved, but it's an ever-present itch that still fuels our imaginations for the future.

This one (below) belongs to Creighton's cousin.  Be still my beating heart.  The inside is decorated in M&M colors (with lots of modern art)- and they keep bowls of M&Ms in various rooms throughout the house.  Not at all what you would expect, but so interesting.  And it makes me smile.

So beautiful.  We were all thrilled to be someplace that actually looked and felt like fall.  There are no leaves at our home (yet), and knowing fall in Virginia, we feel the drought of color keenly (though we don't miss raking up an entire acre!)   Fortunately, we've had enough leaf raking parties with both sets of grandparents this month to fill that longing. 

Our drive through old home country was just a slight detour on our way to the university art museum.  The timing was perfect.  The girls and I were in the middle of learning about Ancient Egypt and this museum had an Egyptian room with just enough artifacts, and even a mummy case for us to wow over.  We found a few other things that captured our minds, as well:

Of course there's always that sculpture or two that boggles the mind in it's apparent pointlessness.  Here's Miri next to the one none of us could figure out:

And then there was the giant charm bracelet. 

 Why not?

My personal favorite:

This is me at 9:30 p.m. if my kids aren't in bed.

After the museum, we headed up the canyon a bit for lunch at Ruth's Diner.  This restaurant has been around for a long while, and I'd never been there, so we figured it was time.  Although the inside has been completely renovated, the walls are lined with old photographs of the diner and it's owner, "Ruth," covering decades of its history.  After we'd been seated for awhile, and staring at the photos, we couldn't help but wonder if Ruth still watched over her diner.  Sure enough, with a little prompt and a nudge, our waitress revealed what is common knowledge among the staff:  that Ruth does, indeed, haunt her old home and restaurant.  The stories were fascinating, and nearly sent chills up our spines.  We don't blame Ruth, though.  What a spot for a restaurant- and one she poured her whole self into til the day she passed. 

 Definitely a lunch date not to be forgotten.

We capped off the day with a little drive-by of my grandparents old home.  My Dad grew up here, and while the home has since been painted (over brick) and shutters added, seeing it still brings back oodles of memories for me of summer and Christmastime visits with grandma and grandpa.  I wish my children could really know what used to be in this little home at 2500 Commonwealth. 

This was just the beginning of our Staycation. 

What didn't get photographed:

• Miniature Golfing (on the last beautiful day)
• Indoor swimming and slide-a-palooza at the Rec. Center
• Ball-a-palooza at the Community Center
• A matinee
• A few dinners at our favorite spots.   

We capped off the week with a trip downtown on the train:

This is what the little girls did when we told them to "stay behind the yellow line."  Rascals.

After a shot of sugar at our favorite cookie store, we spent some time at the Visitor's Center on Temple Square, then made our way over to the Joseph Smith Building to show the kids "The Nauvoo Room," where we had our wedding reception (what a magical spot.)

Luke, who is fascinated by all things Greek and Roman right now, declared the Church Administration Building to be his favorite piece of architecture:

We made our way to the Lion House for lunch....and a brief discussion on polygamy. ;)

Catching snowflakes on Main while waiting for the train home:

 I think I'm ready to start traveling with our crew.  I was really hoping to get away for a little road trip and some wandering in the south.  But there's something to be said for a good old-fashioned staycation.  Not only did we save a significant bundle of money (which is always nice), but we had a great time.  More than anything, we simply loved having nowhere else to be but with eachother- just for fun.