Summer Vacations

Image 1: Cinque Terre near sunset, Italy

This post features photos from past summer vacations while answering ten questions about summer vacations.  Compare answers with me!  (Question list below). 

Image 2: Overlook at Ferry Bluff Natural area, Wisconsin.
View of Wisconsin River with Sandbar
Notice the tiny canoes at the bottom edge in the river

1.  Share your summer trips for 2025!  

(2024 trips would be easier!)  Summer trips in 2025 should consist of (2) weekend in-state camping trips, (weather permitting).  One is a canoeing trip where you camp on a sandbar in a large river, water levels permitting.  

Image 3: Overlook at Ferry Bluff Natural area, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin River view with my kids and nephew, 2023

I hope to add in a visit to Door County, and possibly (a day trip? or two??) to Chicago.  This summer is a good time to stay home and enjoy Wisconsin in it's best season, especially when money and vacation days were used for the spring trip to Japan.  Someone has work on the 4th of July this year, so no July 4th mini-vacation to Door County or Michigan, both destinations I've enjoyed in the past.

Image 4: Canoeing on the Wisconsin River with three adult  children

2.  How do you manage the post vacation laundry?

I try to wash vacation laundry almost right away once home - within a day or two.  It might have sand or bugs or whatever from afar. 

Image 5: Sandbar Camping on the Wisconsin River

3.  What are your most memorable summer vacations.  

My most memorable summer vacation (post pandemic) was a trip to Italy including Venice and Cinque Terre.  Hot but wonderful!    

Image 6: Rialto Bridge at night, Venice, Italy

Another special summer vacation was a road trip from Wisconsin to Charleston South Carolina which included three National Parks (Smoky Mountains!)  I discovered driving trips could be fun, and I set a goal of visiting all of/(most of) the National Parks !  

Image 7: Angel Oak Tree, Charleston, South Carolina

4.  Do you cook or eat out on vacation?  

We eat out on vacation because of places we stay (mostly hotels).  We have camped out and cooked, but I am not great at it.

Image 8: High Tea in Tokyo

5.  Do you over pack, under pack, or are you just right?   

If I'm driving, I way over pack and that car is filled!  Even flying - It's so hard to not over pack.  Especially if there will be cold weather (gloves and heavy coats needed.)  Doing laundry on vacation isn't fun, and extra shoes are a must. (If it rains, I am not wearing wet shoes.  In Japan we had to buy my daughter new shoes because hers got soaked...)  

Image 9: Spring in Tokyo, Japan - with wet shoes in the rain

6.  Beach, Lake or Mountains?  

Where do I want to go? or what's close? (particularly for summer).  For me it is sights.  I'd prefer mountains and beaches, but this summer, near Wisconsin, no Mountains, so Lake.  Beaches can be rocky around here, like in Door County.  

Image 10: Door County Beach, Wisconsin
Notice that the rock Cairns can be taller than the kids*

7.  Road trip or Fly? 

Road trips for small things (Weddings, camping), flying for "real" trips, and then rent a car once there if needed.  If you only get X days of vacation, I want to get to a spot fast and enjoy the location.  Except for that road trip to Charleston...

Image 11: Unknown bridge from car at sunset, South Carolina

8.  My favorite vacation activities are... many things!  Seeing sights and museums, dining at great restaurants, exploring new places and cultures, hiking in beautiful locations, and shopping!  

Image 12: Oak tree on Wisconsin Hillside

9.  Best packing tips?  

Packing cubes, but not black ones.  (which is what I have)  Looking for adapters and power cords in black packing cubes tucked in with black clothes is a pain.  Having all socks and undies and technology extras in neat flexible packages, magic! 

Image 13: Kids Watching Sunset, Door County, Wisconsin, USA

10.  Favorite road trip songs?  

With multiple people we take turns selecting songs.  My daughter has incredible musical tastes, and I like hearing new tunes, .  When I pick a song it could be Billy Joel, Greatest Showman tunes, and Josh Groban's Oceano, and Canto Alle Vita.  I like peppy, upbeat and beautiful music.  

Image 14: The list of questions from Pinklady

This is a new kind of post for me.  I am participating in a link party where the questions above were posted (by Holly and Patty) with a link party where people answer these questions.  I hope you enjoyed my answers.  Thinking about the responses and writing this post took such a long time, but allowed me to organize vacation photos to find photos to share.  Feel free to post your answers or ideas on some or all of the questions below!

I hope your summer includes fun vacations
with friends and family!
...and a lot of beautiful sunsets! 

Click on the images to see them enlarged!

Let me know any thoughts you have on the questions above in the comments!  Anonymous comment are welcome!

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See other FANTASTIC travel posts here...

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If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Summer Sunsets

Glass Garden

Italian Garden

Lotus Garden

Winter Garden

God's Garden

Spring Blossoms

Yellowstone

Flower Mirror

Bluebirds

Travel Memories

Rock Window

Bonsai in Bloom

Orchids

Lilies of Valley

Orchid Peacock

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I am linking up to these parties:
Holly pinklady: Monthly Musings Summer Vacation (Entry 27 of 27.)
Bosworth Life*: POCO Love (Entry 14 of 14.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 367 Mon 4a (Entry 14 of 173.)
Rachel Swirl*: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 2 of 6.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 523 (Entry 6 of 41.)
My Random: Anything Goes 450 (Entry 3 of 56.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 8 of 39.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 17x of 33x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 10 of 25.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 586 (l Entry 4 of 54.)
Keeping it Real: Party 469 (Entry 2 of 49.)
Wisdoms+Wrinkles: Wisdoms Party Tue (Entry 9 of 15.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 1 of 16.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 333 (m Entry 10 of 127**monthly)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 783 (l Entry 1 of 107.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 4 of 108.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 7 of 36.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday (Entry 4 of 13.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now 483 Tues (m Entry 42 of 79.)
Altered book lover: T Tuesday (Entry 4 of 13.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 44r of 118r.)
Stonecottageadventures: You're the star (l Entry 9 of 86**)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 643 (l Entry 4x of 107x.)
Studio27 - Jennifer: Wed Studio 16 (Entry 19x of 29x.)
Artsy Mama: Team Creative Crafts (Entry 17 of gone.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 3r of 142r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 459 Wed (m Entry 20 of 70.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 10r of 35r.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 141 (Entry 4r of 78r.)
Our Hopeful Home: Vintage Charm 497 Wed (m Entry 11 of 46.)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 555 (Entry 10 of 73.)
Lisa Howeler: Weekend Traffic Jam Thur (Entry 2 of 70.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 4 of 108.)
Pennys Passion: Thinking out Loud Thur (Entry 2 of 42.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 459 (b Entry 19 of 28.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 498 (Entry 36 of 84.)
Also Our Hopeful Home: TFT 498 (Entry 36 of 84.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 12 of 15.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 537 (s Entry 1 of 119.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 4 of 95.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 549 (Entry 7 of 120.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 679 (L Entry 10)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 405 (Entry 3 of 103.)
Shoreline Journeys: Time to Travel July (Entry 4x of 5x.)
Skyley: Skywatch Fri (Entry 40r of 40r.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 21 of 22.)
** Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe (L Entry 29 of 55.)    I was featured here!
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 682 (L Entry 64x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 96 Fri (Entry 15 of 48.)
Rambling Woods2: Nature Notes Fri (Entry 5 of ?6.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 16 of 59.)
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry 6 of 14.)
Huisvlijt: Huisvlijt Party Sun (Entry 10 of 32.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 440 (l Entry 4 of 11.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 255 (Entry 1 of 107.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 6 of 121.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 315 (l Entry 7 of 114.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 681 (l Entry 24 of 111.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 3 of 7.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 497 (Entry 6 of 121.)
Pienilintu Finland: Wed around the World (monthly)
Life tales books: Will blog for Comments Mon (25 of 50.)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Grace filled moments: Sweet Tea Friends (monthly Entry 5 of 150.)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 20 of 50monthly)

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Italian White Peacocks

White Peacocks in Park Pallavicino Garden in Italy

Ciao! 

In Italy, the peacocks are white!  Or at least many of the peacocks I saw in Italy were white, which strikes me as odd - I don't think I have ever seen white peacocks in the USA; AND I don't think white peacocks are exactly common in Italy. 

Image 2: White Peacock in Park Pallavicino in Italy

But some of the gardens in the Lake Maggiore region of Italy have white peacocks lounging around and looking lovely.  My daughter and I saw white peacocks at Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Park Pallavicino.

Image 3: White Peacock (male) strutting his stuff!

Finding the white peacocks was easy - finding a male showing off his feathers seemed impossible.  

Image 4: Backlit White Peacock - the feathers are so lovely!

At Isola Bella we ate outdoors within feet of several white peacocks, some of whom were grooming and teasing us by fluffing their feathers for more than 20 minutes.  The birds moved in and out of the shade of nearby plants, creating wonderful lighting effects.  The birds, and the texture of the feathers was mesmerizing.   

Image 5: A White Peacock's portrait

Other peacocks were parked around the gardens, and many visitors watched whenever the peacocks moved, hoping for a show, but the peacocks didn't cooperate while we wandered the garden.

Image 6: White Peacock at Isola Bella Garden in Italy

At Isola Madre we saw more white peacocks, but never with their tails open.  At other gardens we only saw peacocks in gift shop images. We left having seen beautiful gardens, flowers and palaces, but not white peacocks showing off their tails.  We said it wasn't meant to be and left for other adventures. 

Image 7: White Peacocks wandering in Gardens in Italy

But then - while leaving the Lake Maggiore region, we had a small 45 minute time-window, so we made an unplanned stop at the Pallavicino Garden, which  featured a zoo and farm.  There our peacock luck changed! 

Image 8: White Peacocks in Park Pallavicino in Italy

Not one, but two white peacocks vied for attention from some unseen nearby female.  Seeing male white peacocks with their tail feathers open is a breath-taking sight - the tails remind me of fireworks exploding.  They shake and move in a way that is hard to describe.   

Image 9: White Peacock in Park Pallavicino in Italy

We stayed long past our 45 minute time window.  But when you travel thousands of miles to see sights you probably will never see again, sometimes you become late for (or even miss) the next site while enjoying an unforgettable sight right in front of you.  As an old saying goes, "A bird in hand is worth two in the bush"...  I'm glad I was able to be flexible when traveling this time.

Image 10: Isn't this feather pattern incredible?

The patterns and textures of the peacock's tail feathers look stunning!

At the Pallavicino Park we also saw a traditional male peacock showing off it's tail. 

Image 11: Male Peacock in Park Pallavicino Garden in Italy

A female peahen darted out of nowhere, and wow, did both of the birds move! What happened next has been redacted to keep this post family friendly.

Image 12: Fast moving female Peahen and Peacock

Comparing the different "peafowls" added to the visual fun.  This peacock and peahen were the only traditional peacocks I saw in Italy. 

Image 13: Traditional Peacock Feather Details

Notes: In researching this post, I found out white peacocks (also know as leucistic peafowl) have a genetic mutation known as leucism, which inhibits melanin from being deposited in their feathers.  Source here.

Image 14: My favorite Non-Traditional Peacock photo - Click to Enlarge

Have you ever seen a white peacock?  If so, where, what country/park/zoo?  Let me know, I'm curious as to where these beautiful birds can be seen.

As always,
Click on the images to see them enlarged!  There is so much extra detail in a larger photo!

I blog for fun and my blog is ad free.  Comments encourage me, and I sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!  Anonymous comment are welcome!

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See more FANTASTIC travel posts here...

_____________________________________

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Glass Garden

Lotus Garden

Winter Garden

God's Garden

Summer Sunsets

Travel Memories

Yellowstone

Spring Blossoms

Garden Mosaics

Flower Mirror

Bluebirds

CBG Orchid Show

Rock Window

Bonsai in Bloom

Orchids

Lilies of Valley

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I am linking up to these parties:
April Harris: Hearth and Soul (Entry 32 of 171 Sept.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 322 Mon 4a (Entry 50 of 190.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 478 9a (Entry 1 of 90.)    mosaic post
My Random: Anything Goes 429 (Entry 3 of 30.) 
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 6 of 6.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 17 of 26.)
Also Pienilintu: Good Fun Mon (Entry 17 of 26.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 19x of 27x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 14 of **)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 543 Mon 1p (l Entry 22 of 56.)
Keeping it Real: Party 428 (Entry 33 of 36.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 16 of 18.)
Kristin-Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 323 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 19 of 134.)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me 744 Mon 3p (l Entry 2 of 104.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up 455 (Entry 34 of 45.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 455 (Entry 10 of 16.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 435 Tues (m Entry 30 of 93.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About 263 (Entry 49r of 119r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 588 (l Entry 26 of 30.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (l Entry 28 of 115.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 600 Tues (l Entry 4x of 102x.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry r)
Also Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed 132 (m Entry 119r of 135r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 411 Wed (m Entry 21 of 59.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 7 of gone.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 20r of 45r.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 93 (Entry 22 of 97i.)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 450 Wed (m Entry 21 of 55.)
Ridgehaven Homestead: Homestead Blog Hop 508 Wed (Entry 4 of 44.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 438 Wed 6p (Entry 6 of 101.)
Grace filled moments: August Link-up (Entry 3 of 205.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 353 Th (Entry 14 of 34.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 18 of 147.)
Bosworth Life: Garden year August (Entry 4 of 5.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 3 of 14.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 491 Fri (s Entry 4r of 113r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 6 of 101.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 500 8p (i Entry 10 of 119.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 8a (L Entry 15 of 94.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 359 (Entry 23 of 112.)
Pandora and Max: All Seasons (Entry 3 of gone.)
Marsha in the Middle: Weekend Traffic Jam 60 (Entry 7 of 72.)
Bosworth: PoCoLo (Entry 8 of 10.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 36 of 48.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 202 (L Entry 39 of 59.)
Shabby Art: Create-grow-gather 634 (L Entry 24x of 108x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 49 Fri (Entry 4 of 32.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 5 of 94.)
Ready Attention Gallery: Wild Bird Wed (Entry 5r of 8r.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 390 (l Entry 3 of 9.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 208 (Entry 30 of 109.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 16 of 79.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 264 (l Entry 10 of 91.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun even 631 (l Entry 3 of 106.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry --)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 27 of 98.)
Pienilintu: Wed Around the World (Entry )
Will Blog for Comments #57 (entered, bi-weekly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home (m Entry 5 of 25.)
For Love: Little bit of Everything 321 (Entry 5 of 31.)

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  Tuscany!