Griswold's in the VI -Day 9- The End

LandLockedBeachLover · Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:02 pm

Day 9; Jul 5th – Sad, sad day

. Woke up 4:20 a.m. and began packing. We were out the door at 4:50 and at the airport by 5:00 on the nose. I felt woozy and sick this morning

. Maybe it was too much to drink yesterday. Maybe not enough sleep. Maybe too much sun the last 7 days. Could I be pregnant? Oh GOD no

, that would require that ODH and I had had more than 10 seconds alone this trip! And even if we did, we now need to sue his urologist!

Anyhoo - - who am I kidding? I was sick due to the fact that we were LEAVING this beautiful place that has long been such a respite for me. I can’t believe this week has gone by in such a flash. We had accomplished everything on our itinerary and then some. We had bonded as a family. We hadn’t killed the children. We met some wonderful friends from the forum. And our kids had such a great experience! They had eaten more cheeseburgers in paradise than one can fathom. They experienced car burglary firsthand. They learned to snorkel, and liked it! They learned that rum makes mom and step-dad fun (or is it dumb?). They also made some great friends from Philadelphia, although they have no idea where that is

! They saw the best beaches in the World, and they realized that this trip together is the benefit of Mommy traveling for work - - the AAdvantage points and Marriott reward points!

Most importantly, we are all now united in our love and addiction to the VI’s. I can just flash forward to see them as young adults having slightly different and wonderful experiences here with yet that same pang of familiarity. Perhaps eating something other than cheeseburgers. This is truly the only place for us and will be a permanent fixture for our family vacations. All precious moments, corny but true.

All these streams of consciousness are running through my mind during the hour we stood in line waiting on both the American and customs employees to arrive at work. At 6:00 am, we finally make it quickly through customs and to the gate. Darn it, but the 7 am flight is right on time

. I step on the stairs to the plane hoping and praying for some issue that will cause it not to take off. Well, that issue never comes. We are on our way home to St. Louis with only our memories, a few trinkets and our temporarily brown skin serving as reminders of our glorious trip. And what a trip it was! Now, what next? I see that American has a sale for $289 round-trip in the Fall….or maybe the Griswold’s should stick to Wally World. Nah.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:10 pm

Thank you for the great report and I love the last picture.
Tom

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:16 pm

beautiful photo

Pete (Mr. Marcia) · Post by **Pete (Mr. Marcia)** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:22 pm

Killer trip report...enjoyed all nine installments. Thanks for putting it together.

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:52 pm

What a great story and beautiful photo!! Thanks!

Robin in NC · Post by **Robin in NC** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:42 pm

Terrific report. Loved the prose. Loved the pix. Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

Robin

LC · Post by LC » Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:44 pm

Thanks for taking the time to write - absolutely loved reading them!

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:25 pm

You made my week with such fun trip reports!
The travel day home is miserable isn't it! But that just means it is time to start thinking about when you will get back!
Thanks for sharing your adorable Grizwald Family with us!

mdxter · Post by **mdxter** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:06 pm

Great report!!!

I must say, I have read a lot of good reports on this forum but I thoroughly enjoyed yours the most. Maybe it’s your witty commentary or pictures of you and your children having fun or both but it was fantastic.

The last picture is priceless.

Start planning for your next trip.

Thanks for sharing

Nic in KC · Post by **Nic in KC** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:53 pm

Dang...for that price on American out of St. Louis, it'd be worth the drive down. If I tried to go three times in a year that might be a little too reckless for our budget!

But you should definitely take advantage of it! Thanks for all your reports! Your adventures traveling with your kids were great!

LandLockedBeachLover · Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:36 pm

Nic - I hear ya. Very tempting at $289. I wish we had the money to go on a "solo" (sans children) trip this Fall, but our pool is being constructed as we speak (what a $$ drain). Oh well, for our pool party in August we're making up a 5 gl container of painkillers. Is that worth your drive from KC?

Bill L. · Post by **Bill L.** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:50 pm

Thank You Thank You Thank You. That was an outstanding report.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:10 pm

I really loved your report, and the final photo is touching. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

DELETED · Post by **DELETED** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:11 pm

DELETED

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:03 pm

That photo is great!
Your reports were very fun and enjoyable.

usvi-on-line

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Griswold's in the VI -Day 9- The End

Griswold's in the VI -Day 9- The End