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va·ca·tion
Pronunciation: \vā-ˈkā-shən, və-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English vacacioun, from Anglo-French vacacion, from Latin vacation-, vacatio freedom, exemption, from vacare
Date: 14th century
1 : a respite or a time of respite from something : intermission
2 a : a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is suspended b : a period of exemption from work granted to an employee
3 : a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation <had a restful vacation at the beach>
4 : an act or an instance of vacating

Definition courtesty of Merriam-Webster.com.

My recent vacation time turned out to be one where my gaming went exactly opposite of what I had expected.  Of course, being the only member of the family with a driver’s license I was driving and so could not take travel time to be an opportunity for any gaming.  I had taken Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure on my trip intending to play it during some down time.  That never really happened.

When we left it was raining and it rained for almost the entire four plus hours that we were on the road.  We got to Branson shortly before seven and made a quick stop at Rib Crib for some dinner and then headed to our motel.  I planned that evening to get in a little bit of gaming before heading to bed and I ended up turning on the game and after just over a level was sound asleep.  I woke up a few minutes later with the DS laying in bed next to me, still on, and decided I should probably just go to sleep.  The next morning was filled with rain and adventure as we wandered around Silver Dollar City, soaked the bone, but having a good time.  I quickly discovered that’s the perfect time to go on any water rides you want because if you’re already soaked you can’t possibly get any wetter.  That night after dinner we went back to the hotel and Jake took the DS to play Scribblenauts for a while and I watched a show about Robin Hood on the History Channel and an episode of Castle.  I never even opened the DS at all during that night. 

The next day, the last of the short vacation, was spent in even more rain than the previous day, which I didn’t think was possible.  There were a few brief moments of relief from the rain, but no gaming in the 1880’s and the DS was in the car anyway.  We left Branson and got back to our house around 8:30.  After sending the kids to bed I realized I had work to do for the site to get ready for Monday morning.  I’m still sorry the podcast was delayed by a day, but I wasn’t about to try to edit it after being busy non-stop for about 13 hours.  It wouldn’t have turned out pretty.  So I turned on 24, and started work on the articles that needed to be posted Monday morning, catching up on emails from over the weekend and then went to bed about 1:30 Monday morning. 

So, despite having the best intentions about getting some good time in on Henry Hatsworth, my vacation was mostly gaming free.  I can’t say I’m completely sad about that, as I think I probably needed a break from gaming as well as work in general.  It was a really good refreshing break from everything going on.  The rain never, no pun intended, dampened our spirits.  It’s just water after all.  Vacations are supposed to be a time of relaxation, fun and a break from it all. That’s exactly what I got.  No computers went with us on the trip.  The only technology we brought was one DS.  We take our vacation every year to Silver Dollar City, consciously for a number of reasons.  The first is because it was always a place my wife enjoyed going with her family growing up.  I lived on the east coast and didn’t know anything about it growing up and it wasn’t until I met her that I found out what it was.  The second, is because it really, despite the presence of cash registers to take all of your money is a break from all the things that make life “easier” for us today.  We use this little vacation to get away from technology for just a small period of time every year and relax, wind down, and slow down. 

Gaming has been a great hobby.  I’ve grown up with it.  It’s been a part of my life non-stop for 20 years and I couldn’t imagine having any other way to spend a couple hours a day entertaining myself, though 24 has sort of taken over my entertainment life in recent weeks.  Sometimes, though, it’s good to break away and let gaming slide for a while.  Not too long granted, but sometimes just a day or two away can be good for you.  I’m pretty sure events turned out the way they did because I needed to get away from video games, even for a couple of days. 

So what about you?  When you go on vacation do you use the time to get away from all the “conveniences” of modern life or are they the first things you pack when “getting away from it all”?  Leave us a comment and let us know some of your favorite vacation moments, whether related to gaming or not.