At the time of this posting, I will be in Colorado on a hiking trip with girlfriends. We have been friends since we moved to Alexandria and our boys started playing hockey together. We were so lucky to have such a wonderful hockey family that brought us in and accepted us as their own.
Our first girl's trip was in 2016, the fall before our boys graduated. Since we typically travel in the fall, it's always hurricane season. That trip to Siesta Keys, FL was uneventful, but there had been a hurricane 2-3 weeks prior. We thought we saw some aftereffects of it. Turns out what we saw was completely unrelated. The weather was beautiful with sunsets that were even more beautiful. It was a picture perfect trip!
The next trip was to Galveston, TX. We got off the plane, picked up our rental car, and started driving to Galveston. Shortly after we got on the road, it started sprinkling. As we got closer to the island the rain got harder and harder. We couldn't check into our condo yet, so we decided to go to a restaurant. By that time it was pouring rain! Of course, we all checked the weather on our phones. We were in a tropical storm!! This was not anywhere on the radar the day before we left. Upon conversation with the wait staff, this was really nothing to worry about - we all laughed and figured it was the equivalent of a snow storm in MN.
Let me tell you, we were not fond of Tropical Storm Imelda! She decided to stall right over the Galveston/Houston area. The next morning we decided to go check out what was supposed to be a cute downtown area. The four lane road was down to two because the outside lanes were totally flooded, with some of the side streets blocked off due to flooding. Once we got downtown, most of the stores were closed. This was quickly becoming more like a MN blizzard! We decided it was best to head back to the condo. The beach side was actually the higher side of the island, and we all felt better knowing that.
You may think the whole vacation was a washout, but it wasn't! Did we have more condo time than we expected? Yes. Did we play each of the colors of cards in Taboo? Yes. Did we finish a puzzle? Yes, again. But, we also got some beach time everyday even if it was for a walk. One afternoon we went to the outdoor pool for several hours - and saw the sun! Our last full day, we enjoyed a full sunny day on the beach. And, as luck would have it, I got to see my cousin, Mollie, from Tulsa that day. It was so special to see her!!
Maybe others would say the trip was a washout. I would not. We still laugh about that trip and talk about our adventures - and about how sneaky Imelda was! For Christmas that year, I gave each of them the game of Taboo. I don't care to ever be caught in a tropical storm again, and definitely not a hurricane, especially when I'm on vacation! I guess I got a little taste of what visitors to MN may experience when we have a snowstorm. It can be a little unnerving!
It's important for your health to build relationships and connect with people you love, as well as to take time away from work and the busyness of life. It doesn't have to be a big trip. It doesn't have to be a trip at all. Spending a day or even a few hours with special friends and/or family is good for the soul, refreshes your mind, and gives you a mental boost. Research shows that friends can add years to your life, and it's just as important for kids as adults.
At InCourage Health LLC, your social support system is a critical aspect of reaching your health goals. Have you noticed how working with someone else makes tasks less challenging? It actually changes how you respond to challenges and tackle tough tasks, whether changing an old habit or starting a new exercise plan. We all need friends, so don't neglect this area. Make time for friends, make real connections with them, and make memories that make you laugh! Get connected - and not on social media!
Comments