RevGals Friday Five: Get Away Island Edition

Cathy over at RevGals writes: We snitched a bit of time on an quiet island nearby this week. It was a last minute plan, escaping with a minimal amount of preparation. One must have essentials that make it a relaxing time. Perhaps you have had this opportunity to escape, or maybe it's only been a thought to get away. However, suppose you were told to pack some essentials for a trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Describe your location, in general or specific terms and....

Generally speaking I would like to go someplace in the mountains. My Dad has a home in the canyon lands and one more north in the mountains, both in Utah. I could go visit either one. The one in the mountains is a beautiful cabin he built himself...so, probably one of these.

1) What book(s) will you bring? The new Barbara Kingsolver: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life; the new Ann Lamott: Grace; some poetry, and an armful of others. I load up each summer with a bunch of non-church books to read, a breath of fresh air after 9 months of intense church reading and work...

2) What music accompanies you? Music is the tough one. I like a variety, from Mozart Sonatas to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Norah Jones, the Dixie Chicks, Indigo Girls, Elvis Costello, Diana Kroll, Jazz (great for night time). And often I just prefer silence and the sound of nature around me.

3) What essentials of everyday living must you take (as in the health and beauty aids aisle variety)? Thankfully I don't need much. No meds, well except seasonal allergy stuff. And I can live pretty simply. So. shampoo, a razor, toothpaste, that kind of stuff.

4) What technological gadgets if any, will you take with you or do you leave it all behind? I leave it all behind. No email. No blogging. (Well, Maybe I'd blog, since it's become my form of journaling, and that would be fun and fine to do on vacation - but then I'd use my Dad's computer...)I'd bring a deck of cards, my knitting, and my cross stitch.

5) What culinary delights will you partake in while there? Again. Simple foods. I'd probably do my own cooking, so our usual diet. But definitely good coffee for morning, good tea for the afternoon along with some dark chocolate, and good wine with dinner. Those four are my basic essentials :-)

As a bonus question, what makes for a perfect day on vacation for you? A good, vigorous hike in the mountains ending in a great view and an easy journey down. Followed by a fabulous meal, a fire in the fireplace ('cuz it gets cold at night in the mountains, even if the day was hot), and a good book or a game if the family is with. I could go on vacation like this with my kids or without.