Markley's Blog

Vacation!
Yes! If you’re like me it’s something we all look forward to. Sometimes,
however we travel so much and run to every possible attraction that before we
realize it, the time of relaxation is over and we never really relaxed. I have
always wanted to take a vacation and do nothing but nothing. So far, the time
away from my 40 hour, (wait, things are slow at work so I have to say 35 hour)
weekly requirement to bring home the necessary funds to survive, has been the
least active time off I have ever enjoyed.

First let me say that my wife and I love to drive, so even the trek to our spot of
leisure was a joy. Now that we have arrived, we have both declared “NO
AGENDA”!!! We let the day, our mood, our desire, and our minds set the pace. We
are going to do nothing but nothing. The evening we arrived we set our luggage
down and went to the pool.  We have
basically been there ever since. I’m not joking. We get up, have a light breakfast
and off to the pool. While at the pool we read, nap, or take a dip. Usually
it’s all three. So far at the mid-point we have been to the coast, out to
dinner and once to lunch. Each time we end up back at the pool.

I know some may be saying “how boring”! That’s just it. We want to be bored,” in
essence”.  After the daily schedule and
commitments that come from our jobs and other activities that we get involved
with, a small time away from all of it and be able to do nothing but nothing is
actually very exciting.  So when a brief
shower interrupts a small time at the pool it has no effect on what we do. We
move under the canopy and continue right on reading and writing this blog.
After 30 minutes guess what? The rain has stopped and we venture back out to
the pool and continue our “nothing”.

Sure there are numerous exciting, expensive places we can indulge in, but by doing
nothing it also becomes a very affordable vacation. That is another reason for
loving doing nothing. I mean with the aforementioned hours being reduced, the
need to be very “frugal” during this vacation is vital. With fall approaching,
and Christmas right around the corner, well you know what I mean. So for the
first time I am able to achieve what I think constitutes a vacation.

A time to sit back and refocus, recharge, and reconnect. That is my goal for
these twelve days away from work. Half way through and right on schedule. Will
come back to finish when I feel too bored and need a little something to do. We
have been to some very interesting spots down in Jensen Beach. We partook of
the cuisine at Mulligan’s and enjoyed some reggae music and then moved up the
block to Crawdaddy’s to hear some good blues. (Will be headed back there one
night this week). Lunch at Duffy’s was a treat but breakfast at Jan’s was a
little disappointing, only for the fact they put more cheese than egg in their omelets.

Looking forward to getting back to Jensen beach on Thursday night for “Jammin in
Jensen” a weekly event that has all types of music and the culture is well
represented.  Enjoying the night-life with no agenda and no alarm clock is very cool. The hardest thing to do is to
decide where to go. On Wednesday night we ventured out to Shucker’s. It is
right along the coast and sitting there listening to the waves crash and having
a delightful portion of Penne Primavera that was more than enough for both of
us. With the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop and the love of my life next to me,
the evening couldn’t have been more perfect.

A walk over the St. Lucie River on Thursday morning was
refreshing and an exhilarating way to start the day. Then guess where we ended
up? That’s right, back to the pool. Actually after just a couple of hours, both
my wife and I said, “That’s enough.” You know the old saying “too much of a
good thing”. Well I think we may have hit the point of no return. We are
starting to feel a little bored of being bored. I know, I know, I started out with
the premise of do nothing but nothing. Well, after 7 days of doing nothing we
are looking forward to doing something. So it’s Thursday and we were told of a
new restaurant to try. Conchy Joe’s was a pure island and tropical setting.
Everything from a raw bar to almost everything nautical on the menu. We went
early and then headed to” Jammin’.  We ended up ( I told you we would) back at Crawdaddy’s and heard a great band
called Shaker’s. With a sky filled with lightning as a backdrop they played an
electrifying set that matched the light show in the southern sky.

Friday! End of the week and one day away from leaving our
“boring” vacation. At least that’s what you may be thinking and “yes” I did
elude a couple of paragraphs earlier that we were feeling bored. Make no
mistake, we love our vacation and though we may be a little bored we are sad
it’s almost over.

The morning of our trip home started the same. Well, first
straightened up and started to pack the car. Then we went to the pool and hoped
that some of the acquaintances we had made were there so we could say goodbye.  John and Marge, a couple we met and really
enjoyed their company, were already in the pool and we joined them. We told
them that we look forward to seeing them when we return.  As we traveled back during one of our stops I
was able to post my “blog” on my feelings about 9/11 and will finally post my
week long “blog” about my vacation on Monday which Marge said she will look up
and read.  Hope she enjoys reading and I
hope the rest of my readers do also. John –  thanks for the names, and don’t worry, they’ll
never know!

So it’s back to work and the daily grind. As I mentioned
before, the Christmas rush will require a lot of attention and money, and my
wife’s birthday is here at the end of the month. One more thing to get excited
about……  hockey season will start in 4
weeks Yea!!