A Vacation From (My Typical) Vacations

[stewart christensen]

Guest Post By Kathryn Christensen.

I am on the Big Island.

As we were walking on the beach yesterday, Scott (my son) said to me
“Mom, I don’t remember when we were last on a vacation like this.”
“What, with just us, not the whole gang? ” (I do have 7 children, 4 of whom are married, and 5 grandchildren– so we can have quite a crowd)
“No, I mean we usually go to the cabin or Seattle and then all you do is work. Now you are just on vacation!”

Such an insightful comment. As those of you who are fellow vacation home owners know-when you go to your own “vacation” home, you do work. Restock, repair, improve, etc, etc. It has become a normal vacation for me. I may take an hour or two here and there to read while relaxing on the porch swing, or sit on the chaise on the deck and listen to the chimes and the wind in the trees—-but generally I work. I am one of those types who likes my kitchen cupboards organized in MY way, etc. I am always moving, reorganizing, making everything “right” again. Never mind the deep cleaning, fixing, restocking………….

This morning I was running alone on the beach. I love the “beach” here. It is primitive, rugged, and totally natural. The lava goes all the way into the ocean creating tidepools, reefs, and waves breaking at different places all along the coast. There are a few “natural” beach areas-where it is at least smooth enough to get safely into the water, but most of it is lava and water. The beach trail here goes from the local state beach, behind some private homes, then goes along and connects some of the fabulous resorts here in Hawaii. I had one of those fun “Ahh-Haaa” moments that come along in life.

Running from this completely natural environment into the stylized beauty of a resort was an immediate change and made a remarkable impression on me. The whole feeling, character, atmosphere changed in a few steps. Instead of a few people watching the local surfers, there were large numbers of people. They looked wonderful, had matching swim wear and outfits, strollers, children, and families gathered together. They were having fun. I ran past the golf course, the various swimming pools, the man made beach with children floating on rafts, or snorkeling with the gear they picked up at the straw covered bar. Drinks with umbrellas and pineapple spears, books, kindles, newspapers–all the paraphernalia of a vacation–with people laying on matching lounge chairs-some around the pool, some on lawns overlooking the ocean and lava rocks from a distance. I ran on through the resort and back out into the natural beauty of the leeward side of Hawaii. I sat on a large lava rock while the ocean crashed around me and realized something–

Its not that resort vacationing doesn’t have its place. It does. I have stayed at some of the fabulous resorts here on a few of the islands in Hawaii and in other destinations. Resorts are fun! People watching at resorts is even more fun! I live in Las Vegas!! Talk about resorts–for those of you who live in any “vacation” destination–it is the difference between real life in Las Vegas, and walking into the Bellagio or the Wynn. It is fun, it is exciting and stimulating and creates a feeling of “I’ve arrived”, or something—-but is it real? What is Las Vegas REALLY like? Is it really relaxing, rejuvenating? What IS a vacation? Vacations do differ–and resorts do have their place. However–

on THIS vacation, I am looking for peace, for relaxation, for rejuvenation, for time to reconnect with ME and what is important to me, for time to just BE and to BE WITH my family. And THAT happens in the REAL world, with the REAL people that live in a REAL place and the REAL characteristics and environment that exist in that place.

I LOVE renting vacation rental homes. A REAL space in a REAL place. A place to BE, to experience that location and yet have privacy. Space to be, to cook, to sleep, to interact with family and loved ones-to create memories together and to really EXPERIENCE a unique area of this marvelous world. Getting back “out of the resort”–walking those few steps back out of the stylized, artificial “resort” environment, into the deeply moving environment of the REAL west shore of the Big Island-the black lava, white foam, endless blues and greens of the ocean–the wind and the sound of the water crashing around me–those few steps crystallized the reason I am staying in a fellow vacation home owners’ home (yes, we traded! Another perk! I hope we do again!)-on a REAL street where people REALLY live in this place of beauty–as peace and tranquility seep into my soul.

When my 14 yr old son notices the difference in me on “vacation”, I am more committed than ever, not only to truly experiencing the uniqueness of this world, but of creating this website. Trekadoo is not only to find YOUR Destination. My mission is to create the tools that allow you the extra time and FREEDOM to run your own vacation rental business (allowing others to find Their Destination) while YOU are able to find your own–someplace else when you need it.

Better go–have to go click a couple buttons on Trekadoo vacation rental software (ie. update my calendar, send completely personalized emails including dates, monies collected, property addresses, names, customer addresses, specific property information, thank you’s and returns, glance over the simple chart that shows exactly where all my properties and reservations are “at”) before heading back to the beach.

Aloha from Kathryn!