(I've been away before-- during my Army years-- but this is the first time I ever went away on my own, on purpose.)
MrsEx has an old, dear friend who lives in Virginia. She and her husband usually go to Myrtle Beach, SC for Christmas (their only "kids" are a pair of schnauzers). This year, they invited us to join them.
We visited Appomattox Court House, Virgina (where Gens. Lee and Grant met):
Then, a five hour drive later:
View from our balcony Christmas morning:
Church:
Back at home now.
It was fine, and I like MrsExs friends (not so much their dogs!)-- but I told Mrs Ex "no more beach vacations in winter".