Surprise Vacation 2015

Oh SNAP. You guys. It's back. It's that time of the year again and I am PUMPED!! Surprise Vacation 2015 is upon us and I'm freaking out.

For those of you who are new here - let's start at the beginning. Surprise vacation has been a longstanding Dalkin family tradition since we were kids. It started when I was 9, my sister was 6, and my parents would throw us birthday parties. Now that I've thrown a party or two, I know how much work they can be, PLUS add in some screaming and crying children, ummmmm NO. So my parents decided to do away with the birthday parties and instead they’d plan a surprise vacation for us each summer.

So what's a surprise vacation you ask? IT'S A SURPRISE. And it’s basically the highlight of my year. I’m obsessed. They plan a vacation for us and we get somewhere in the realm of 8-10 clues each year and we have to figure out where we are going. Some years we’ve figured it out, others we’re totally surprised. One thing is always certain…. I’m always wrong. My sister sometimes figures it out, my husband has been known to do the same… but I’m always, without fail, 100% wrong. I think it’s because I have this burning desire to go on safari in Africa and no matter what clues my parents send over I somehow make them fit into an African safari. Clearly, I'm a mess but that's going to be resolved next year because I'm going for my 30th birthday!!!

ANYWAYS... since we were kids, we've been getting everyone involved. My tennis coach, friends of friends, parents, professors, you guys!! I mean, it's basically a puzzle for anyone I know. So I'll be sharing the clues here as they roll in (roughly once a week) and I'll just continue to update this post so you don't have to search high and low for the latest clues. Ready... Clue's are officially rolling in:

Clue #1 - Part of: With all its trees, Montana is a forever desirable place to live; though not on an overcast-like day, when it is best to just put up your feet and/or lay down and rest.

Clue #2 - Sister Bertrille - she must be scared!!

Clue #3 -  Its "Made in China" so it does not cost much, but you will flip for it even if it is a bit off.

Clue #4 - Part of what my students always ask: Why are we never allowed to volunteer at the cancer center office?

Clue #5 - Everyone in the country loves to leave their car at the heart of this green fruit.

Clue #6 - Like Monika, yet longer, but can only keep half of your automobile.

Clue #7 - To start, the old ranch trail's under going unusual extensive renovations, oy! So, let's go watch some ball in the capitol.

Clue #8 - In old Western films, what happens when Lloyd and his clan are found guilty of murder.

Clue #9 - They wear orange robes with ease / Traveling as they please / Not quiet nor dark / Always in a search for fun / In space so bathed by the sun

A few things to keep in mind for this year - we're going in December. I'm about 95% sure passports are involved. It's roughly 9 days. LET'S DO THIS!!

UPDATE: Mama D sent me a list of things I need to buy for the trip this year:

• Hiking boots
• Good socks - several pairs
• Bathing suit
• Sun/rain hat
• Rain jacket
• Fleece jacket
• Those lightweight quick drying pants like I have that can usually also roll up into shorts but don't necessarily have to roll up
• Long sleeve light weight shirts of the quick dry fabric also
• Hiking sandals/ teva or keen like

And these are past vacation destinations so we can rule those out:

1. Orcas Island + Vancouver  (click on over to see clues and my parents clues and commentary on this trip!)
2. Nat Geo Cruise through Alaska (click on over to see clues and my parents clues and commentary on this trip!)
3. Road Trip through France (click on over to see clues and my parents clues and commentary on this trip!)
4. Bahamas
5. Banff, Canada
6. Italy
7. Turkey
8. Greece
9. England + Scotland
10. Cancun, Mexico
11. Somewhere else in Mexico
12. Michigan (I can't remember where exactly)
13. Hawaii
14. Napa
15. New York
16. Washington DC
17. Las Vegas
18. Texas
19. Disney World
20. 2015 HERE WE COME!!!!