Vacated.

I'm back! I can't say the vacation was quite the relaxing, regenerating experience I so desperately needed, what with the high winds and six-foot waves and puking over the side of my kayak and whatnot, but it was an adventure and a terrific experience on whole.

The post-kayaking part of the trip was enough to remind me why I love unstructured, non-group travel, as Lily and I attempted unsuccessfully to get out of Dodge a day early. We wound up having a delightful late-night helpful-locals experience in a small island town, then spent an entire day lazing luxuriously by the Athens Hilton's swanky pool. I am only slightly embarrassed to admit that the closest I got to the Acropolis and Parthenon was the stunning view from our hotel room's balcony.

My camera was rendered unserviceable by an unfortunate early-trip mishap, but I should have a few photos to post soon. Others to follow, perhaps, as I collect the promised copies from fellow travelers.

Now it's back to the salt mines, with much work and life and wedding planning to tackle. I'm sort of looking forward to immersing myself in it all, but am even more excited about eating a fresh vegetable that is neither a cucumber or a tomato.