Need a Vacation? Check Out the Fourth Annual Doodle Trip!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Have you been on DoodleKisses long enough to start wondering what it would be like to meet some of the people you “talk” to about your dogs on a frequent basis?  That is what happened to some of us a few years back when Jane (Rooney and Stuart) decided to organize a cruise for her fellow Doodlers.  I signed up almost immediately and wavered between thinking this was one of the dumbest things I had ever done to waiting with anticipation for the upcoming event.  When I signed up, I really couldn’t even have told you where the cruise was going and my dad would have called it one of my “impulse buys”.  Back in the day when I still lived with my dad if I went shopping and came home with something dumb, my dad would take one look at it and say, “impulse buy?”  Sometimes I do something so quickly, I live to regret it, but other times, I am so glad I took a chance.  Luckily, this is what happened on our first Doodle cruise.  Not only did I sign up quickly, but I signed my husband up too, and I am sure when he heard the plans, he had thoughts of a bunch of dog crazy people walking around a boat chanting, “we love Doodles!” and flipping open a plastic accordion bunch of pictures when someone asked them about their dog. 

 

When I found out that smoking was allowed in some sections on the boat on our first cruise, I almost canceled. I spent the better part of the year leading up to our first Doodle vacation complaining to my husband that just once I wished I would think before I hit the buy button, and while he agreed about the thinking and spending part, he kept saying it was going to be great.  Thankfully, I listened to John for once and did not cancel, because that first Doodle trip truly was one of the best times of our lives. We loved all of our fellow Doodlers, still talk about the beautiful blue beaches at Half Moon Cay, and formed friendships that I believe will last a lifetime. The funny thing was on that first cruise and all subsequent vacations, we talked a lot, but not much about our dogs.  We found we had other things in common besides our dogs and by the time it was over, we were all thinking about when we could do it again.  My only complaint was when we gathered to take a group picture in the beautiful “Fudge and Vern” t-shirts I passed out and one couple appeared with their dog’s pictures taped over Fudge and Vern.  I thought that was rude, but what could I say besides, “get off the ship now or else.”

On our second Doodle cruise, we added some great new people who meshed as easily with the old gang as we had all meshed the previous year.  There were no strangers, just friends from the beginning, and another great trip was had by all.  Not everyone could come back for the second trip for one reason or another and they were all missed. None of them missed more than Tim (son of Jane, Guinness, and Murphy) who I think we would all agree made the first trip so special.  Tim puts the fun in trips and he had my husband fist bumping, dancing in the dining room, and me spending the better part of the week trying to explain to anyone who would listen that the John they were seeing was not the John I lived with in Pennsylvania. (see above photos for proof)

A couple of the newbies....Ronna and Flat Laurie!!

Don't ask! 

A few of the cruisers after a day in Key West!

Our third Doodle trip we decided to rock the boat a little and do something different and ended up going to Mexico and staying at an all-inclusive resort.  It was the only trip of the three where we encountered some bad weather (think tropical depression) and yet sitting in the lobby playing Mexican Train or venturing into Cancun for a little shopping in the rain was still wonderful because we were with friends. 

The only bad thing on the trip...a ride down this horrible Lazy River :) 

The truly great thing about these Doodle trips is that the destination is secondary to the company.  On the first Doodle trip, I didn’t even know where we were going when I signed up and each subsequent trip we are all more concerned with who is going than where we are going.  Each year we have added a few new people and I bet if they were asked would tell you that everyone is made to feel welcomed and included.  There are no rules as to how much or how little we do as a group. Everyone is free to “do their own thing”, yet at the same time everyone goes out of their way to tell you what is happening if you want to join in.  For all of you who keep saying that one of these days you want to experience a Doodle trip, I guess my question would be, “what are you waiting for?” The only one not getting any older is Flat Laurie and only on a Doodle trip would a cardboard cutout be included in all the fun.  Take a chance and join in the fun.  Don’t let one more year go by wishing you had just decided to go.  

P.S. Jane will post a link in the discussion for information on this year's trip!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Have a wonderful time! I know you all will! 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Oh man, I need vacation so bad! Unfortunately, I can't even go alone since my DH is a HS teacher, so he can't stay home with the boys.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This year will be my third Doodle vacation and last year my sister from vancouver joined for the first time. It's truly the best bunch of fun people and no one is a stranger. There is no stress about who joins in what and you can dip into the group or take time out as you wish. The only thing required is a huge sense of humour. My jaws literally ache after each trip. If you want a vacation and haven't yet decided on where to go this year I (and I am very fussy) can't recommend this one highly enough X 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Leslie, LOL...about the strange in strangers :) I am so glad Judy and you decided to come on that second trip. We have had such great times and both of you are a hoot!

Deanna, YAY to you and Kathy. I am so glad you forced her along, although I don't think it took much arm twisting. LOL Good thing she finally got a Doodle before we had to oust her from the group. Can't wait to see all of you again.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I, too, haven't found much time to be on DK lately - a couple of grandkids and their activities have been added to my mix, so some days I can barely come up for air.  Talk about impulse buys!  When the first Doodle Cruise was presented, it sounded like a great idea.  I knew my "stick in the mud" husband would not go with me, so I did some arm twisting and "forced" my best friend, Kathy, to be my traveling companion.  She'd been thinking about getting a doodle, but at the time had not yet acted on her thoughts.  Before the trip, I was a bit concerned that Kathy and I would be "outsiders".  Many of the doodle lovers who were going on the trip had been chatting regularly during Yappy Hour and seemed to really "know" one another; nothing could have been farther from the truth!  We felt a part of the group immediately, yet we also felt free to do our own thing.  Kathy (who now is the proud momma to Mahru, her rescued doodle) and I have gone on all three trips so far and are booked for the fourth.  Come join us!!

[Leslie and Halas]

Judy and I are booked!  We just have to get our flights.  We can't wait.  This will be our 3rd DK Trip, and I know it will be as fun as the other 2.  We immediately felt like we had been friends with everyone forever.  I had been on DK for a long time, so I knew people "virtually," but my mom had never even been on DK, so these were complete strangers to her. And she still felt like she'd known everyone forever.  We've definitely made lasting friendships.  DK Travel Group - We Put the Strange in Strangers!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, I know...probably what happens in Key West should stay in Key West. I think that was Ronna, Doris, Dori, Leslie, and Judy is on the ground :) I told them to get their clothes on. 

Thanks, Stella. You should think about joining us.

Thanks, Jane, for posting the link. We can't wait either. I have a friend in Cancun right now and he keeps posting pictures of the beautiful beaches.

Thanks, Ronna, and well said. That is exactly how John felt the first year. He kept telling everyone what a nice bunch of people were on the cruise. I am so glad Bill is rejoining us....can't wait.

Thanks, Janie.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

No doubt a good time to be had!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

I am so excited for this year's trip!  I am not on DK very much anymore but I can tell you that I have formed lasting friendships on these trips.  As a group we "chat" , check in on eachother, give support, grieve, laugh and share on a weekly basis.  My DH joined us last year and he immediatley felt like part of the group ( and doesn't think I am so craxy now for traveling with a group of stangers the year before) and he is excited to go again this year.  We are already booked and have our plane tickets.  Please, join us if you can!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Reading this and looking at the photos again makes me SO anxious for this years trip.  This is truly the nicest and most fun group of Doodle lovers you'll ever meet.  Here's the link to the discussion with all the details...come join us for the 2015 Doodle Vacation!  http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/doodle-vacation-2015