Joan Ellen Cornell: vacations

7:00 PM

What would I do with 3 months off?!?

7:00 PM

Day two of Blogtember! If I could take three months off of my typical life, what would I do? Oh my gosh. What WOULDN'T I do??? Assumi...

Day two of Blogtember!
If I could take three months off of my typical life, what would I do?

Oh my gosh. What WOULDN'T I do??? Assuming I also have all the money I also don't have in my typical life, haha, I would travel. All over. I haven't been on a vacation in over three years and it's time. I'd take P with me for parts of the three months, and the other parts would be MY time :)

Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, a cruise in the Caribbean, all of the above. I want beach and warm weather and lots of sunshine!

2:42 PM

Away

2:42 PM

Last weekend, I was super stressed out about a lot of stuff, and all I could think about was just getting away from everything- just me and...

Last weekend, I was super stressed out about a lot of stuff, and all I could think about was just getting away from everything- just me and P, away.

So, I went on Craigslist in the "vacation rentals" section and started looking for a cabin.

I came across a post for Tomichi Lodge.

Perfection I tell you.

I emailed the owners explaining my situation, that I don't have a ton of extra money but wanted to get away for a couple days with my kiddo.

They totally hooked it up you guys, I mean, above and beyond.

They made this possible and I will never be able to thank them enough.

So more about the place.

Tomichi Lodge is located about 15 miles over Monarch Pass in Colorado.

(It was about a 3 hour drive for us)

In the winter, you drive to a trailhead and the caretakers of the lodge come pick you up with snowmobiles. It's about a 7 mile trip by snowmobile to the lodge.

The Lodge has running water and hydro electricity (from the creek running next to it).

About 150 yards from the lodge is the cabin, which has no running water or electricity.

The first night we stayed in the cabin, and the second night we slept in the lodge.

There's no cell reception, but there is a phone at the lodge for emergencies.

We got there around 1pm Monday and left about 10:30am Wednesday.

This was seriously some of the best days of my life.

Me and P snuggled by the fire, read books, played games- just spent time together.

I can't wait to go back :)

the cabin

the outhouse

the door/heart on tree

watching me get wood

inside

coloring

hanging out in the loft

insect flashcards

crayons

cooking breakfast

reading books

disco party

getting ready for the "hot tub"

hot tubbin'

11:12 AM

Texas!

11:12 AM

12:15 AM

Dreaming of this place...

12:15 AM

Dubai. This place looks SO AMAZING. It is in the top 3 places I plan on visiting before I die :) The building you see above is a hotel. I...

Dubai. This place looks SO AMAZING. It is in the top 3 places I plan on visiting before I die :) The building you see above is a hotel. Imagine being able to look out and literally see water all around you! And to top that off, it's voted the world's most luxurious hotel!

Below, you will see pictures of what is called "The World". It is a bunch of islands that were made to resemble the different countries of the world.

Next is the largest mall in the world. Ever. At 440,000 square feet, it houses over 1,000 stores as well as an aquarium and underwater zoo...among other things!

Dubai is also home to the Dubai Sunny Mountain Skidome (or snowdome). Indoor skiing and snowboarding (despite the fact that it's in the 100's outside a lot of the time!).