I’m on vacation. In fact by the time this column runs, I will have already been on vacation for over a week and will shortly be heading back to Bremerton.

Nick and I are currently in Florida and southern Georgia visiting with Jason’s parents for spring break. Yes, Grandma and Grandpa time. They live in a tiny little town named Woodbine. It is so small it doesn’t even have a stoplight. I know that sounds just like the opening to a joke. Woodbine defines the image of the small southern town. For many of you who are or have served in the Navy, the name Woodbine might be familiar. That is because it is within easy commuting distance to St. Marys and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

Jason is not with us on this trip. He is holding down the home front in Bremerton. It’s just him and the dog. He simply could not get the time off of work during the time we needed to stay within Nick’s vacation days. Nick has a perfect attendance record so far this year and wants to keep it that way. Besides, leaving Jason with the house, the dog and the chores for a week makes him a little more appreciative of me when I get back.

Some of the things Nick and I have planned are an overnight stay at a beachfront hotel in St. Augustine, Fla. which is just north of Daytona Beach, a trip to the Okefenokee Swamp and a ferry ride out to Cumberland Island National Seashore where the wild ponies roam through the ruins of old turn of the century mansions.

We will be stopping at Daytona International Raceway as well. Capping it all off in a big finale, three nights at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando where my 10-year-old boy will glory in the opportunity to be “slimed” by the Nickelodeon staff while hanging with SpongeBob and Patrick or a whole group of Power Rangers.

I will be lounging by one of the many pools in the 80-degree weather sporting an iced fruity drink served in a coconut shell with an umbrella in it. My big plans during those three days include napping and catching up on my reading. I wish everyone back in Bremerton a wonderful spring break. Make the most of it and have some fun. If I could share the 80-degree Florida weather with all of you, I would. We all know that it will be July before that type of weather is even possible here in the Pacific Northwest. Be back soon.