All of a sudden, possibilities

You know, I started this particular blog to document stuff before I forgot it. But it's not working out that way, obviously, as it's been a month since my last post. Most of what I talk about, think about and dream about these days is travel. And I'm doing a good bit of it. Yet I don't write about it.

Part of the reason, a huge part, is Twitter. I'm managing to get pretty much everything I want to say into 140 characters. And the reason I can do that is the other reason I'm not blogging about my trips. The travel I'm doing is just not very interesting, much less exciting. I still enjoy it, I've rediscovered the joys of just going to the airport and the whole journey experience, which is nice. But what I do once I get to where I'm going is just no big deal. This is mainly because I'm visiting family, rather than a destination.

I look forward to being able to see some different stuff, probably not totally unfamiliar, but things I haven't seen in a very long while. And that will be starting to happen soon, so I'm getting excited about it.

First up is a trip to New Orleans toward the end of this month. The plans got rearranged due to circumstances way beyond my control, so I won't have the gobs of time to myself I was expecting. And I also won't be spending a weekend in the French Quarter. But I am still determined to wring loads of fun out of the trip. We will certainly be spending some time down in the Quarter, just not staying down there. There will also be some great meals at wonderful restaurants, with enjoyable company. Lots of potential for fun, and no reason why we can't have a thoroughly memorable trip.

That's really the only definite trip left on my agenda at the moment. However, recent developments are paving the way for more. Toddler boy is going on a wait list for day care. And when he gets in, my services will no longer be required in this particular location.

It's almost certain that I will rotate between Vegas, Carson City and New Orleans. Those are the places where I am most needed. But I will no longer be needed full time anywhere. So, not only will I be able to bounce around between the three, I will hopefully be able to start going to those places I long to revisit.

I was only supposed to be here through August, anyway, but now it looks like it could easily be sooner than that. This is particularly great because the 7 year old will be spending her two months of summer vacation with me again. I'm hoping that will turn into a tradition with us...at least until she reaches the age of making her own plans for the summer. Her mom gets a nice break, I get the thrill of showing her stuff and sharing her excitement, and she gets all kinds of new experiences. Win/win/win.

The original plan was to split her time between Florida and Las Vegas. But, now, I'm hoping to take her to Washington D.C. and maybe even New York. She has a cousin she's been missing in D.C., so that will be really nice for her. But, also, there is just so very much to see there that I know she will enjoy. Particularly if I can swing a White House tour. I've even got a free roundtrip ticket she can use at some point during the summer, which will come in handy.

And, once we're on the East Coast, New York is just a train ride away.

So even though I only have one trip left on the calendar...except, I just remembered another one in April. But that's just another weekend in Carson City, and I don't expect it to be any more exciting than any of my previous trips up there. I do enjoy going, don't get me wrong, it's just that it's a very quiet and ordinary few days.

But I have big hopes for the summer. I love visiting Washington D.C., so even if I just manage to squeeze that in, I'll be thrilled. If I actually get to make it to New York, as well, I will be walking on air. Those are two of my favorite tourist destinations in this country, and it's been waaaaayyyy too long since I've been to either one of them. Added to another little trip to New Orleans, plus some beach time to finish up...well, it could turn out to be one very busy summer. And that would suit me just fine.

What's really weird, though, is that all these little pieces have just recently started coming together. The day care, the free tickets, the other circumstances that have just rolled in out of the blue - Only now can I see the potential they have to fall into place in a way that I would absolutely love. But now that I'm aware of the possibilities, I'm going to do my utmost to make sure they fall into place the way I want them to. A little luck, a little effort and - hopefully - the thing is done.

We'll see.