Oh dutchess, I'm sorry that I made light of your vacation since you posted what you will be doing. Bittersweet it will be. We can't really go home again, but we can remember how it was and those memories sustain us. The last time I saw "home" was when my Mom was buried. The only home I ever had that was firm was my grandparent's homestead. My parents were always moving and that made my grandparents farm the only constant in my growing up years. When I saw it the last time it was falling down and the vines and fallen trees were covering it up. Son was with me and we both stood there and cried as we recalled the "good" times. It was sort of the same for him because my parents lived there and took care of my grandparents in their old age and son's life was one of movement too. It was a constant in his life too. I think he and I were the only ones in the family that felt the loss that deeply. I would buy the place in a heartbeat if I had the money, even though it's in Tenn.
You go and relive those times, dutchess, and hold the memories close. God go with you and your Dad. Loveya.