Perfect vacation tip #12: Stay just long enough, but not too long

Some vacations leave you feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation, but this trip instead recharged our batteries.  Why?  We were only gone for four nights, which was just long enough to really get into the zone and then be happy to see home again.  (If you're less of a homebody, you might be able to stay longer.)

Perfect vacation tip #13: Don't drive too far

Even though Mark does all the driving (because I hate it), hours in the car can be a drag after a while.  Seven hours seems close to the maximum amount we'd want to go, since much further would tempt us to stop for the night and would make the vacation too long for homebodies.

Perfect vacation tip #14: Don't go too often

Before this trip, I hadn't been in the ocean for about ten or twelve years.  When I walked out into the waves, I laughed out loud from delight and suddenly I was the person I'd been a decade or more ago.  I don't think I would have had such an extremely good time if I'd been to the beach last month or even last year, so even though Mark, Mom, and I all rated this trip a 10 out of 10, we probably won't go back to Pawleys Island right away.

Thanks for looking at all my gratuitous vacation photos!  Before I return you to your regularly scheduled homesteading posts, do you want to add any tips you have about creating the best possible vacation?