I really want to welcome all my new readers and thank you for deciding to receive my newsletters.
I also want to mention my daughters article on Gilded Gears – Victorian Jewelry with a twist – that was in our local newspaper on Sunday. Her is a link to the article – Avon Sisters Start Jewelry Business
In the middle of August this homeschool mother’s thoughts turn toward – vacations? Yes, it’s true. For many years we’ve vacationed the first two weeks of September. 
Lest you think we’ve completely lost our minds, we usually begin school the middle of August. After two weeks I find that I know what needs to be tweaked in our schedule and curriculum choices. Those two weeks have been a nice time to “try” out our plan. Then I have two weeks of vacation to mull over, and discuss with my husband, what changes need to be made, how to make them, and opportunities to get his valuable input. It’s nice to know that when the school year begins mid-August, we all know it’s only for two weeks – then its vacation time! Somehow that always makes starting easier for all of us.
We’ve found September to be an ideal time of year to travel. Labor Day weekend is usually busy, so we plan those as travel days or days to stop and spend with friends on the way to our destination. After Labor Day everyone goes home, and we are left to enjoy what we’ve planned, minus the crowds. Many National Parks are almost empty. We were once the only campers at the campground at the Black Hills. Imagine no lines in the bathrooms or showers, quiet evenings around the campfire, and freedom to roam wherever we want. Not to mention the end-of-season sales!
We enjoy the solitude of the less busy time of year. In addition, it’s usually a bit cooler, which always makes travel with a family a bit easier.
So while most people we know are back at school we’ve been getting ready for our fall vacation. Are children are all adults now, but we still have three at home in various stages of study and/or work. We all still try to keep the first two weeks of September open. Last year Eric was in the middle of a class, but he spent hours in the van studying during travel time and with diligence he was able to keep up with his classes and lessons. This year his next class doesn’t start until mid-October so he’ll be free to enjoy his camping trip.
Eric in the BWCA 2004
This year we have had to lay aside our usual 4000 mile car trip because we have a 12 week old puppy that might not enjoy so much car time. He’s been very good riding for up to an hour in his kennel, however we don’t want to risk making his dislike it due to one of our 12 hour travel days.
We’ve decided to spend some time in our own state of MN this year. We’ll start by going to the Minnesota/Canadian border for a couple of days, then to Tofte, MN on the North Shore of Lake Superior. There the girls and puppy will settle in to a very nice pet friendly motel and the guys will leave for a week of wilderness camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Finding Joy in the Journey,
Phyllis
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Phyllis Sather
Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness at:
© 2012 Phyllis Sather
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10 Comments
Phyllis
Sounds wonderful Elizabeth. We have 4 more days. I will link up soon.
Blessings, Phyllis
Elizabeth
Hi Phyllis!
We also take vacation the first week of September! We have a time share at Hilton Head Island in SC. Even though we now live on the coast, it is so nice to come and stay at the beach! We’ve found this to be the perfect time of year — crowds are gone and the temperatures are perfect! Very relaxing! 🙂 Enjoy your vacation!
Please consider linking up to my blog sometime. I have Marriage Monday and TGIF link ups most every week! 🙂
Phyllis
Thanks! I’m so glad you liked it. You can enter a drawing for one of their necklaces if you like, Here is the link: http://econobusters.com/gilded_gears_giveaway/
educator
I visited their jewelery page. They are doing awesome.
momstheword
Hi Phyllis! I have a question about your “Be Sure to Count the Cost” post that you linked up to my meme. Is there any way to leave a comment on *that* post? I looked and looked and I know it’s getting late and I’m tired, but I didn’t see one. Just wondered if I’m just too tired to see it?
Anyway, I really liked the part about counting the cost of our choices and just also wanted to thank you for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
Phyllis
Hi Nan,
I checked and for some reason the comments are turned off for that page even though I have them marked to be accepted. I’m on vacation and traveling today, but tomorrow I’ll be staying in one place for a few days and I’ll try to fix it and move your post.
Counting the cost of my choices has always been very important to me since I lived the first 30 years of my life strictly for myself. Now that I’m a believer I try to live a more proactive live – looking ahead to what the Lord wants me to do as well as what will happen if I make the various choices.
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know that you enjoyed this.
Phyllis
Hi Belinda,
Welcome back from your trip. We’re loading the van right now for our trip. I’m looking forward to hearing more about yours. I’m glad I could give you some food for thought. Blessings,
NCSue (I follow back!)
Thank you for visiting Wordless Wednesday at http://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your photo this past week! And please visit this week’s Observing Beauty linky, too – it’s up and running!
I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great week,
NCSue
Belinda Letchford
Hi Phyllis – I love the idea of starting and then taking time to review. I also like the idea of having holidays set time especially as kids grow up. A few things for Pete and I to think about.