Vacation in Colorado ending

This is our last day in Vail and we've had a glorious time. When we lived in Denver we'd go op to the mountains now and then and enjoy it, but now that we live in California, it seems Colorado has gained in beauty, which it has not of course: we're just not used to seeing it anymore so it's newer, better and more beautiful.

Vacation is a funny thing-- another invention of our consumer society that we're all supposed to have to enjoy life. I have seen many families around us, sitting down for lunch and dinner, utterly bored with each other and not having a good time. Even our own children seem jaded by the luxury hotels and the meals they get served. This is not what vacation is supposed to be like. I'm seriously contemplating taking my kids on a survival trip next summer, just so they realize how lucky they are.

And we're dreading the 17-hour car drive back. Harder this time because the vacation has ended. Oh well, life is good, too without vacation. Lynn Ruth is about to take off for Europe. Hope we can hear her stories from Edinburgh and elsewhere. For whoever is reading this: enjoy your summer, vacation or not. Make the best of every day and life may actually be worth living...