Vacationesque

This past week Craig had a short conference in Pacific Grove, a charming beach town about two and a half hours south of us, so our whole family (and the dog) drove down for a pseudo-vacation. It wasn't really a vacation for Craig, because he had to be at the conference most of the time, and it wasn't really a vacation for me, because I had to take care of Isaac (and the dog) while Craig was at the conference. Maybe it was a vacation for Isaac? (Or for the dog?)

Taking care of a child away from the comforts and structure of home seems especially challenging, making vacations problematic (or at least not restful) for parents in a way I never realized before. Part of the problem is strategic -- how are we going to eat, play, nap, soothe, bathe, sleep? Routines that were second nature now have to be rethought; this makes everything just a little bit harder. (As far as that goes, we had it pretty easy -- we stayed in a two-room cabin, so I didn't have to tiptoe around while Isaac was asleep since we set up the Pack N Play in the kitchen. Also, we had our meals in the dining hall on the conference grounds, and although the food wasn't exactly delicious, at least we didn't have to shop, cook, or clean up.)

But another part of the problem is philosophical. While we're at home, I don't mind not getting many breaks from my job of taking care of Isaac, but going on vacation makes me expect a certain amount of relaxation. I've been tagging along to this conference for about eight years now, so perhaps that's an additional factor -- I remember too clearly how relaxing it was without a toddler (or a dog). In the old days, I would sleep in as late as I wanted. Then I would find a picturesque place to sit and read, like the balcony of our room or a bench on a cliff overlooking the beach. Or I would rent a bike and ride along the ocean, stopping to look at tide pools or visit the historic lighthouse. And sometimes in the evening I would drink beer at the conference poster sessions, where scientific work is presented in an informal setting not unlike a big cocktail party, before walking back through the pine trees to sit in front of the fireplace of our Julia Morgan-designed lodge.

This year I didn't do a single one of these things. But even if it wasn't a real vacation, it was fun. I took Isaac (and the dog) down to the beach every day, where Isaac sat in the sand and dug while Walt played with other dogs and sniffed at a dead seagull. One afternoon I met up with my mom and sister, and along with Craig we went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium -- I've been there many times before, but just as they say, I was thrilled to see it all over again through Isaac's eyes. I even saw exhibits I'd never noticed before.

Plus, one morning Craig got up early with Isaac and let me sleep in.