I gotta go, I gotta get away

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I think I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about places I'd like to travel. Some simple places and things I want to do are fairly easy to accomplish, while others need a category beyond "pipe dream, " (Bora Bora, looking in your direction, you expensive bitch!). The below list is middle of the road; still takes planning and thought, but also doesn't make your mind spin out of control when thinking about the planning and money involved. My current top five...

1. Outer Banks, NC

This one might actually get accomplished this year. We'll see. I've always wanted to go, and most definitely would love for my kids to see the wild Mustangs on Currituck. The girls would absolutely lose their minds. The five hour plane ride has always been intimidating to me, but I'm starting to think the kids can handle it. Or maybe I can just drink enough and pass out in a corner until the plane lands. Sorry, Todd, but I know you've got it covered. My kids have never been to where I grew up (the South...specifically, Atlanta) and I'd really like to take them.

2. Tofino, British Columbia

This place is gorgeous. Lord knows it would take a full day of driving, sitting at the border, crossing the border, driving some more, waiting in the ferry line, crossing in the ferry, and more driving just to get there, but it would be worth it. This is the true sense of getting away from it all. And more specifically, I want to stay at the place pictured above, The Wickaninnish Inn. Nature meets luxury; hike all day and relax in the big double jet tub at night. Sign. Me. Up.

3. Hawaii

I've had a lot of people tell me it's not worth the money to go, that it's better just to head south to Mexico. This might be true, but I've never been to Hawaii so I really don't care what they say. I want to go. I want to sit on the beach, watch my kids frolic in the ocean, and drink a big fruity drink doused with alcohol. Don't spoil my dream with reality!!

4. Alaska

Above picture is my own from our trip to Alaska in 2003. We took Isabelle to Alaska when she was 15 months old, which she obviously does not remember but I've really been getting the irking to go again very soon. And this time I want to take the train from Seward to Fairbanks, and enjoy the inner beauty of Alaska. My kids love hiking, nature, animals...this is their dream vacation, they just don't know it yet.

5. Disneyland

Okay, this is a bit of a cheater, since we go to Disneyland every year, but I love it more than I should. When I look at pictures from our past trips (like the picture above), it just makes me happy. Seriously, in a second I can take myself back to being in the park and just feel good. Our next trip is in may for Isabelle's birthday. I am both happy and sad: happy because we're going, sad because it's still 6 months away.

Back to my planning...