I've found that the best vacations are single day, non-traveling vacations in the middle of the week.

I'm headed to Virginia Beach on Saturday with the Catholic Alumni Club of Pittsburgh. :-)

hahHAH! I am writing this WHILE ON VACATION!!! (our first family vacation in many years) This is my first visit to San Diego, and I must say, you live in a gorgeous part of the country, Jimmy! We've visited the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, Torrey Pines State Park, Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and Seaport Village. (didn't make it to the bouncy bridge) Next time we'll visit other places (I've started a list).
It helps that my sister has an estate in Rancho Santa Fe complete with a guest house and all the amenties of a luxury spa...I gotta stay on her good side!
So, yes, take time to really enjoy this gorgeous land of ours!
'thann

Yeah. I recommend a cruise to Mexico, in Nov. :) I wish I could go!

"According to the Arizonans, you wouldn't want to go from June to October anyway."
As one of the aforementioned Arizonans, I have to agree.
The recent heat wave in Arizona has already claimed 11 lives in the past week.

"That's what I need. . . . . a vacation."
You & me both, brother! (SIGH) Well, the way this week's goin' at work, I may just decide to take one sooner than I was planning!

Exactly, Lurker.
A vacation is supposed to be a time to unwind, rest and get a little perspective on things. Instead, how many times have we done the "theme park death march" and come home more frazzled than when we left.
My wife and I have agreed that our next break will be no more complicated than a stretch of beach, some good books and someone to bring us drinks with little umbrellas in them.

hippo354, that sounds fantastic. I haven't camped for so long, I'm jumping out of my skin wanting to do it again.
Benedict comes from a culture where "Sommer Pause" is taken a bit more seriously than just as "the season where kids are off school, so we have to do something with them". They actually name it "Sommer Pause" here. I wonder if he might be talking to those "I'm always so busy!" types who only have two to four weeks of vacation per year and waste it all on obligations and holiday weekends, rather than taking real breaks. Most of us don't take vacations for the purposes of having a REAL break. Many of us could use more retreat-type vacations.

I grew up spending summers here:
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=...
my parents built a cabin in the woods about 12 miles from the park. It was primitave (no running water, no indoor plumbing, coleman stove cooking, etc. Very restful! All those things you are looking for.

Judging by those weight trackers you've been meticulously keeping...i'd agree with you, you need a vacation!
And don't forget to pack your bathroom scales when you go.
If I knew where to send it to, I'd be tempted to send you a postcard when I go on my holiday 48 hours from now...not that you'd probably get that worked up with jealousy about Wales, UK. :D
God Bless.

According to the Arizonans, you wouldn't want to go from June to October anyway.