Camp Jingle Hymer Schmidt

Rochester has so many beautiful lakes from Lake Ontario to the Finger Lakes . . . so why don't we have a family friendly, waterfront, destination resort? A place where you can rent standalone cabins or a rustic suite in the main lodge. A place with highly trained camp counselors (a la Club Med) and kids activities galore. The kids can have heaps of supervised fun while their parents get massage treatments and facials, attend yoga classes, learn to salsa, watercolor, etc. There would be family activities, too, like swimming, ping pong, bingo, and arts and crafts. At night there could be bonfires and sing-a-longs. There could be outdoor cookouts and mess hall meals in the lodge.

I think it's time to resurrect the halcyon days of the Poconos and the Catskills right here at home -- especially since gas prices are through the roof. With our proximity to other major cities, including Toronto, it would be an easy drive for thousands of families.

Given the seasonality issue, it could house corporate off-sites in the winter months. Or bring in speakers of its own to drive off-season revenue.

I don't need Patrick Swayze to have fun. I just need time with my kids and some downtime for myself at a price I can afford.

Sleep-away Camp

I just returned from a weekend at a "spa" -- better described as a fat-farm/adult sleep-away camp with my girlfriend. What a blast!

I already posted my review of the Deerfield Spa on TripAdvisor.

There is a quote from Miguel De Cervantes that sums up my two days with Jacque, "Tell me what company you keep and I'll tell you who you are." I am unbelievably blessed to have a friend who a) is one of the nicest people on the planet, b) will roll with the punches, c) engages in everything that life offers, d) laughs a lot and e) maintains her beauty even after kick boxing.

Which reminds me of a Sicilian proverb, "Only your real friends will tell you when your face is dirty." I'd like to modify that to, "Only your real friends won't mind when you haven't washed your hair in days and it's covered in massage oil."

Thank you Sean (husband and generous ringleader)! Thank you Jacque! Thank you God!