Happy Sunday Funday guys!! Hope you guys all have a fantastic holiday weekend. Today we’re talking surprise vacation AGAIN. We leave in less than a month. We got the final clue. And my dad’s got a little message for ya’ll!
He’s clearly having a whole lotta fun with this 🙂 And here it is….
Final Clue
Previous Clues:
Along the eastern coast, ruins to behold
Some cities, some towns, so quaint and so old.
The rugged wildness of life
Such beauty, such magic, such strife.
Inside we go, away from the beach and away from the bold
To pass the time, for ages untold.
At 2:15 we lay down to sleep, at 2:17 she snores
How much can I take, I need my rest, with wonders still to explore.
From here I sit,
To leave on this wonderful trip,
We will be there soon,
Heading home in June.
Early to rise,
The sky so blue
I don some clothes
And observe the view.
Sites abound
Wonders all around
So warm on top,
So cold below,
Two different worlds
For us to go.
On the rocks,
My calves so cold
Or is it I, just getting old
Sites for sore eyes:
My wonderful Uncle Sal will visit us on monday, GREAT!
Boy, what an amber looking ale, it tastes so good on these hot summer days!
Mom’s house, in the middle, of AA
I must find her room, “Aack this is hard”,
But well worth the pain.
Or; can in the mirror, I only see
A name, or me?
Any ideas?!? I’ve also come to learn that we do NOT need any vaccinations or anything for where we are going. Maybe some pills to take while we are there – but my parents are staying tight lipped on if we will need to take anything while we’re gone. Also – I’m fairly positive we are leaving the country. Alaska might be the only place in America that’s an option… but I think we’re going to need our passports.
If you’ve got an idea – or can decipher a clue – leave me some info in the comments!! We’d love to solve the puzzle before we go!
Oh my goodness how fun!!!! I have no idea where you’re going but I can’t wait to find out!
Machu Picchu/Peru!!!
why!???
But Macchu Picchu is along the western coast
I’m gonna guess the Yucatan.
what makes you think that?!
Could it be Saudi Arabia?
I found this and it makes some sense: One of the 7 wonders of the world for 2010 Lake Coatepeque is a large crater lake in the east part of the Coatepeque Caldera. At 26 sq. km, it is one of the largest lakes in El Salvador, and has hot springs near its shores. In the lake is the island of Teopan, which was a Mayan site of some importance.
El Salvador?
And that would work for the “Uncle Sal” part!
Love how creative your parents are! Not any help in the clue department – sorry!
So much fun! I have no idea though. 🙂
This:
So warm on top,
So cold below,
Two different worlds
For us to go.
On the rocks,
…makes me think of caves?
Rock of Gibralter?
I still think it is South America, a Mayan ruins. can;t wait to find out!!!
I think you were in Charleston, South Carolina going to South America to the Mayan ruins, there are ruins in South Carolina also!!
That was my reply and it posted on comments?
The references to “going home” and “Uncle Sal” make me think maybe it has something to do with your heritage? My initial thought was actually Ireland or Scotland, though I don’t know if I could pinpoint why.
You are coming to the lovely State of Maine – I picked up on the beer part…we have mountains for climbing and lakes for swimming and old forts and ruins along the coast….if you come let me know and we’ll have a lobster together! Susan
I think Greece! Athens is on the eastern coast. Not sure about the hiking clues though…
Hmmmmm…..not sure but i can’t wait to see how this unfolds!!
Sounds alot like Cancun..yes the Yucatan…there are a ton of ruins…and the ‘two different worlds’ could be diving or snorkeling (warm above, cold below). Don’t know if you need a passport to go there these days…I haven’t been for eons…
Wait…changed my mind…
New Zealand.
They have ruins on their eastern shore
They have great beer there….world famous!
They have rugged wilderness
Uncle “Sal” could be the Southern ALps that divide the largest of the two islands?
Also a natural wonder could be Tongariro National Park which is Home of the real Mount Doom and many of the landscapes from The Lord of the Rings!
So…can’t wait to find out!
I like your thinking, Pam! What I can’t get into this is the lying down to sleep at 2:15 and “she’s snoring at 2:17”! Mind you, that part makes no sense to me at all…but the answer has to be a dilly! What fun parents Gaby has!
I have no guesses….but I just wanted to say that I wish I was in your family. That is all!
Could it be Spain?? The part about sleeping at 2:15 reminds me of the siesta, and “sal” is salt in Spanish. There are definitely ruins + beaches, and I’m pretty sure it’s colder up top and warmer down south. I love your parents – this is amazing!!!
will your parents adopt me? Please?
If we guess right, can we come? I’m with the South America crew. Definitely colder in the south than the north. Uncle Sal. Tons of ruins and wonders and beaches and beers. EEE! What an exciting year, Gaby!
Has to be Turkey , ancient cities along East Coast and wonderful beaches.
Turkey
Hey Lisa! Turkey would be awesome, but we were just there a few years ago so I don’t think we’d go back quite so soon.
Mexico…. somewhere in Mexico…
Gaby,
I think you are going to Amsterdam/ Holland. Clues, the strife on the eastern shore is WWII. The amber ale equals Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam. The mother’s house is Anne Frank’s house and the clue must find her room is where they hid. The reference to brothels is the red light district and finally the garden hose was invented in Amsterdam.
That is our guess.
Scott and Sally
Sally + Scott!
Those are the most thoughtful guesses to the clues that my parents have ever seen! They are impressed. They’ll tell us in less than month 🙂 But you guys are GOOD!!!
So it’s now June 19th…did they tell you yet?? Any idea at all?? SO CURIOUS!
The Explora in Patagonia. Your father and I have been secretly conspiring the entire time 😉 Does one of us win as autographed Absolutely Avocados cookbook if we get it right? Or maybe get to sneak in your luggage on surprise vacation!
So wonderful to have a family that knows how precious living in the moment is. Sharing travels with family and loved ones while physically able will provide memories for generations to come. Though not as creative as your parents, I took my mum and MIL on a one month vacation every year for the last 10 years of their lives. We often incorporated a two week cruise with one week prior in the starting city (fancy hotel, please!) cruise, and 1 week at the end port of the cruise. Yes, I spent a fortune despite plenty of frequent flyer miles to fly first class, balcony cabins, and the like, but no regrets. My sisters joined us on what turned out to be their last long trip: an adventure in Australia/NZ, one week at a 5 star hotel in Sydney, the last week in Auckland joining a dear British couple we’d met on a Mediterranean cruise. Though tedious at times and not the customized vacation each of us grown children would perhaps have chosen, it was perfect: we’d all spend the mornings together on outings, back at lunch, they’d play bridge or relax in the afternoon, and we young’uns had free time for our pursuits. There is much to see even within our own state, so it doesn’t have to be more than a modest weekend/week for many. Seize the day. Fortunately your family does such a great job of plenty of forethought and preparation. We’ll be following you vicariously.
How about Israel?
Sounds fun and I like the idea of it being a surprise.
On July 4th 2011 you blogged about Israeli Couscous…so perhaps Israel? I don’t know enough about the country itself to say if all the clues fit or not…
This has been so much fun this time around just reading all the guesses. Could it be Naples, Italy? They have beautiful beaches and ruins and high-low weather. Can’t wait to hear the final destination.
My favorite pancakes, Banana Mickey Mouse made by daughters!
Hi All-
I just started reading this blog and am dying to know where the surprise vacation ended up being! Does anyone know? It seemed like her travel posts right after this were mostly with her husband.
Thanks!
Brittany – It was a small boat cruise to the inside passage of Alaska!!
Thanks for giving it a try!
The ClueMaster