Congratulations to us on our one-year anniversary of Timeshare Tidbits!  The year has gone so fast, and it’s hard to believe that we have accumulated almost 70 posts!  We have enjoyed hearing from so many of you, especially those of you that we have actually met at some of the timeshares where we have stayed.  Please keep your comments coming, and your ideas for new posts.  Hopefully our site has been helpful to you, or at the very least, enjoyable to read.

What’s not to like about the Wyndham Glacier Canyon in the Wisconsin Dells? After a 4-night visit with our entire family, including one 87-year old and 2 grandkids, we can answer that question with a resounding, “Not a thing—it was FANTASTIC!!!”

Now, if you’re not excited about waterparks, you might not be as impressed as we were, but you would still enjoy it. The Dells area is beautiful and woodsy, and there are many things to enjoy other than the waterparks. It’s just that we did 7 waterparks in 4 days, and thus did not have time to do any of the other things! Luckily, we had done some of those things on previous trips.

The really neat thing about this resort is that the waterparks are right there. There are 4 indoor and 4 outdoor parks, and admission is free with your stay. The resort is huge, part of the Wilderness Resort, and pretty much a nirvana for kids. However, the thirty-somethings also enjoyed it immensely, as did the sixty-somethings. So not only do you get a rustic unit with beautiful furnishings, you get free entertainment, besides. As far as family value, we think this Wyndham has all the others beat, except for possibly the new one (also with a waterpark) in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Speaking of paradise for kids, they also have 3 arcades with games. The kids earn tickets which they can redeem for prizes—SO COOL! Mini-golf, ziplining and go-karts are also available at the resort. And, of course, this resort would be ideal for winter getaways, as you can get to the indoor waterparks without going outside. Most of them are about a 15-minute walk from the units, but shuttles run all the time.

We had a 2-BR and a 3-BR and had more room than we knew what to do with. The kitchens were well-stocked, the ceilings were high, the fireplace was gorgeous, the beds were comfortable. The furnishings seemed new and we had nice balconies overlooking a grassy area. The large, flat panel TV’s in all the bedrooms and the living room were a nice addition.

There was a small store off the lobby area which was nice for picking up incidentals, small grocery items and lattes. The staff was friendly and helpful when we asked for directions. There are some restaurants on site, but we didn’t eat at any of them, so really can’t comment on those.

And what are those other kid and adult things to do, besides the waterparks?
You can experience the true beauty and uniqueness of the Dells when you embark on one of the amphibious “Ducks,” that travel on land or water. There are Upper Dell and Lower Dell tours, the Upper being the most popular and more interesting. You can also visit the summer home of the Ringling Bros. Circus, where they actually stage small circus shows with live animals, clowns, etc. The Circus World museum is fascinating, and home to many rare circus wagons. A short drive to Baraboo will bring you to the International Crane Foundation, where you can see the 15 different fascinating species of cranes from all over the world.

Downtown Dells has many souvenir stores that are kind of kitschy, but there is a wonderful covered, outdoor outlet mall that has all your major outlet stores. There is an excellent cheese store (this IS Wisconsin!) very close to the resort with free tasting and very reasonable prices. (Where else can you buy blueberry cheddar???) And has anyone ever heard of Tommy Bartlett? A Dells visit isn’t complete without attending one of his amazing water ski shows or the Exploratory, with over 150 interactive science and technology displays. There is also a very nice casino, the Ho-Chunk, for the adults in your party.

And about an hour away is the town of Spring Green, home to Taliesen, Frank Lloyd Wright’s summer home and school. And very close to that is The House on the Rock, which can’t even be explained in print—you have to see it!

So if you’ve never been to Wisconsin, or even if you have, don’t bypass Wisconsin Dells, because it truly is a vacation wonderland! And check out the Wyndham Glacier Canyon Resort, because it is, without a doubt, one of the best! By the way, if there aren’t enough waterparks for you at Glacier Canyon, there are about 25 other ones close by–that’s why the Wisconsin Dells earned the title, “Waterpark Capital of the World!”

As always, the answer to that question depends on circumstances, and your particular vacation needs.  We own 5 weeks in Traverse City at Pinestead Reef, an RCI Resort.  It is approximately a 3-hour car drive from our home, right on the beach of Lake Michigan.  Because it is so close, and 4 of our 5 weeks are Flex Weeks, we can break it up into 1-6 day intervals if we don’t care to stay an entire week.  Often it can be fairly last minute.

This is an older, Silver Crown resort, built in the 1980’s, that has an excellent manager.  There are 46 units that are re-furnished every 5 years, and while it is not elegant, it is homelike and cozy. Traverse City is a thriving area with great restaurants, good shopping, 2 casinos, many wineries, and close access to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Sault St. Marie, Mackinac Island, and other tourist destinations.  Since it was sold out long ago, only resales are available.  The prices are amazingly low, compared to our other timeshare purchases, and it trades very well.

So for us, this was a no-brainer.  We deposit our red January week into RCI Points, use our fixed early September week, use our 2 June weeks when the weather is great, and use our early May week as flex. If we have extra days when we can’t be there, we rent them through the resort and use the money for maintenance fees. Also, if you are interested in being on the Board of Directors for your timeshare, living close by would make it easier to attend meetings. So our reasons for buying a timeshare close to home include:

• Short travel times
• Quick getaways
• Love of the area
• Reasonable cost of ownership
• No expensive airfare needed

Here are some other scenarios that illustrate how buying a timeshare close to home might work for you:

Let’s say you live in Knoxville, and own a timeshare in Gatlinburg (about a 40 minute drive).  Your middle school daughter wants a sleepover birthday party, but wishes it could be more special than the usual.  So you use your points, or rent, 2 very large units that maybe sleep 6- 8 people, making sure you have at least one adult sleeping in each unit, of course! The kids can use the pool and sports facilities at the resort, and you can order pizza for dinner.  You can use your timeshare kitchens to make breakfast (maybe, Baggie Omelets?)  Buy a cake, see some of the sights, and you have a party!  And, you save wear and tear on your own home!

Similar scenario:  You live in Las Vegas, and egad! Guess who’s in charge of the 5-year Family Reunion this year??? Use your points, or better yet, rent units and charge everyone!  With resort activities, pools, saunas and fitness rooms, you have lots of built-in entertainment for everyone (and you don’t have to clean your house before they come!)  Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have all those casinos around, either.

Last one:  You’ve just found out that Uncle Harvey and Aunt Nadine are coming to visit for the weekend.  But your house is a dusty mess because you’re remodeling the kitchen, and right now you can’t even cook in it.  If you live close to your timeshare, why not put them up in it for the weekend? You might even have a more enjoyable visit, because everyone will have more privacy.

Of course, buying a timeshare close to where you live might not even be an option for you in certain parts of the country, because there might not be any nearby!  But if you are committed to timeshare travel, you might want to consider this option. We know of several people (besides us) who have done it!

It seems that the timeshare world is surrounded by negativity. Recently, USA Today did an extensive article that pretty much dumped on timesharing.  A financial “guru” that writes a column that runs in our local newspaper has also warned of the dangers of timesharing.  Even some of our close friends question the wisdom of our timeshare purchases based on what they have heard, rather than their own actual experience.  The following cartoon, courtesy of GoComics, says it all:

The Flying McCoys by Glenn and Gary McCoy

When we talk to people that we meet while timesharing, this negativity does not seem to be present. Yes, there is sometimes frustration and confusion surrounding the usage of their timeshares, but overall they are happy with the vacations that owning timeshares provides. So, we decided to accentuate the positive aspects of timesharing  in this post. Here are 21 reasons why we like timesharing:

1. Timeshares allow you the flexibility to travel all over the world.

2. Timeshares force you to take vacations yearly.

3. Timesharing is cheaper per night compared to most motels.

4. Timeshares provide deluxe accommodations.  Staying in a timeshare unit is like a home away from home.

5. Timeshares provide plenty of room so that you can invite family and friends.  Most timeshares sleep at least 4.  Some can sleep as many as 12, depending on the size of the unit.

6. Timeshares are good for your health.  See our previous post—–

7. Timeshares have cooking facilities so that you can save money by not eating out as often.

8. Timeshares allow you weekly stays which give you more time to explore an area.

9. Timeshares allow you partial week stays if that is your desire.

10. Some timeshares allow you nightly stays.  This comes in handy if you are traveling or need a “tweener.”  A tweener is a night in between—for example, if your timeshare accommodation ends on a Friday and your next timeshare week doesn’t begin until Saturday.

11. Timeshare resorts generally have more amenities than motels.  Most have pools, hot tubs, playgrounds and exercise rooms.  Some have basketball and tennis courts, mini-golf, etc.

12. Most timeshare resorts employ an Activities Director, who organizes games, crafts and social opportunities for kids, teens and adults.

13. Because of all the social opportunities and activities, it is easier to meet people at a timeshare resort.  This allows for sharing travel experiences and information about the area.

14. Timesharing allows you to plan ahead.  (Not everyone would see that as a positive thing, but it works for us!)

15. Owning a timeshare is much easier than owning a vacation home.  Someone else has to do all the maintenance work, yard work and upkeep.

16. Timesharing allows you to vacation in numerous, different locations, rather than returning to the same vacation home again and again.

17. If you buy resale, timesharing is a lower cost investment than buying a second home.

18. Timesharing wins over RVs—see our post —

19. Most timeshare resorts offer informative talks about the area—what to see and do.  They often provide discounts to area attractions.

20. Most timeshares consist of deeded property that can be passed down to family or friends.

21. Timeshare resorts lend themselves to special events like birthday celebrations, reunions, etc.  They provide a comfortable, home-like and fun atmosphere for extended family or friends.

As you can see, we are positive about timesharing, and hope that you are, too.  These are just some of the reasons that we love traveling this way—probably you can come up with others that we haven’t mentioned.  What do ‘ya say? Should we design a bumper sticker that says “HONK IF YOU LOVE TIMESHARING!!?

“Cook while I’m on vacation???  I go on vacation so I don’t have to cook!”

That’s often the response we get when we bring up the subject of timeshare cooking.  It seems that many people regard cooking as an everyday chore, and they want no part of it when they’re away from home.  Personally, I enjoy cooking, and don’t mind doing it occasionally, especially if we’re on an extended trip.  I never thought I’d say it, but we do sometimes actually get tired of eating out!

Larger families can benefit greatly from doing their own cooking while on vacation.  When my niece and her partner purchased a timeshare, there wasn’t much question but that they’d feed their 6 foster kids right there in the timeshare kitchen!  Even if you only fix breakfasts and lunches, you can save quite a bit.

The biggest problem that I have with using a timeshare kitchen is that I never know where things are and it takes time to find them! But once I conquer this minor inconvenience, I’m good to go!  Here are some simple and easy recipes that taste great!

This recipe is nice enough for company. I’ve had other variations of it that were good, but this one is special.  Some good friends prepared it for us, and it’s delicious!

Chicken Bake

8 chicken breasts or mixed chicken parts
1 stick of butter
8 slices Swiss cheese
1 can mushroom soup
1 soup can white wine or apple juice
2 pkg. Chicken Stove Top Stuffing Mix

Lay chicken in bottom of 9 x 13 pan.  Place slice of cheese on each piece of chicken.  Spread Stove Top Stuffing over chicken.  Mix mushroom soup and wine (or apple juice) together and pour over all.  Melt butter and drizzle over the whole thing.  Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes.  Serves 8.

On a little bit smaller scale, this next recipe can be thrown together at the last minute.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

12-16 oz. frozen prepared meatballs
1 16 oz. pkg. stir-fry veggies (carrots, peppers, broccoli, water chestnuts, etc.)
¼ c. apricot jam or orange marmalade
¼ c. Catalina salad dressing
2 T. soy sauce

Combine all in large skillet.  Cook on Med. High for 10 minutes or until all is heated through, stirring occasionally.  Serve over rice.  Makes 4-6 servings.

Then there’s dessert. This one can serve a big group, or keep in the freezer to eat throughout your trip!

No One Would Know This Isn’t an Expensive Ice Cream Cake Dessert

19 ice cream sandwiches
1 12 oz. container Cool Whip
8 oz. hot fudge ice cream topping
8 oz. butterscotch or caramel ice cream topping
1 c. salted peanuts (Optional)

Line a 9 x 13 ungreased pan with 9 ice cream sandwiches, cutting the 10th one in half to fit.  Spread with half the Cool Whip. Spoon toppings over this, then peanuts, if desired.  Repeat layers with ice cream sandwiches, Cool Whip and peanuts.  Cover and freeze.  Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving and cut into squares.  Will keep up to 2 months.

If you plan ahead and keep your timeshare cooking simple, you can save money and enjoy even MORE timeshare vacations!

Okay, so we all know that not all timeshares are created equal.  But isn’t it reasonable to expect that when you trade into a timeshare, it should be nicer than a hotel , fairly clean and comfortable?  Especially if it’s a Gold or Silver Crown?

Not necessarily.

Most of us who have timeshared for any length of time have experienced at least one place that we don’t ever want to go back to.  One place that, even if someone paid us, we would not return to.  For us, that place is the Storyville Hotel (it’s really a timeshare, despite the name) in New Orleans. At the time, 2 weeks before Katrina hit, this timeshare was rated Gold Crown by RCI.

Before we book a timeshare that we’ve never been to, we always, always, ALWAYS check the reviews on TUG. Except that time we didn’t.  I can’t remember if there were no reviews, or if we just neglected to check, but we reassured ourselves that this WAS a Gold Crown Resort, so how bad could it be?

Pretty bad.

To begin with, the building was on the edge of a questionable neighborhood, so no walking out there at night.  The French Quarter was a 10-minute walk, so we always made sure we were back before dark, or had to take the car (parking was horrendous wherever we went) or a cab.

But that wasn’t so bad compared to the place itself.  The once-beautiful gardens were overgrown.  The unit was large, with a decent-sized living room, small kitchen and one bedroom.  All of the living room carpeting was wrinkled and stained.  There were mouse droppings in the pots and pans. One day, a very large cockroach-looking thing greeted us when we returned. The bathroom fixtures were very old, with splatterings of something all over the wall.  Sitting down in the stained tub was kind of scary, so I didn’t.

The owner, or person in charge, sat us all down the first evening and told us all about things that we could do in New Orleans.  This was nice, although it did go on for about 2 hours or so.  There are only 5 or 6 units, so we’re not talking a lot of people.  The owner lives in one of the units, and he gave us his cell phone number in case we had any questions or problems.  A few days later, we called him about a minor issue, and he acted somewhat put upon that we would bother him.  We never saw him again, after the first evening.

This place is still listed as a timeshare in the RCI Resort Directory, although when I browsed the internet, it actually seems to be more of a rental place.  Some of the reviews were even okay. Apparently the place was sold, or is under new management as of 2008-2009.  Other reviews indicated that it hadn’t changed that much since our 2005 experience.

Our main goal here is not to “badmouth” any resort, but to stress the importance of reading RCI and TUG reviews before you book—and even then, you may have a bad experience.  Obviously, what’s important to one person may not be important to another in your timeshare travel.  Someone might get really upset over small televisions, while we could care less.  Likewise, we prefer quiet accommodations while someone else may like the party atmosphere.  The important thing is to gather as much info as you can before you commit.

Our other goal is to see if anyone else has a “timeshare horror story.” –that way we can alert others. Let us know your vote for worst timeshare and why!

In our last post, we discussed some of the advantages and disadvantages of  traveling to timeshares vs. traveling with RV’s. We discussed amenities, locations, and the differences in accommodations. It really kind of comes down to what style of vacation you prefer, but the biggest issue is the one we’re going to discuss in this post: the issue of cost.

The first thing you need to look at  is the purchase price.  You can buy a pop-up camper for $4000.00 or a large, top-of-the-line motor home for over a million dollars.  It is also possible to purchase a used RV for a reduced price. When we look at timeshares, you can purchase from the developer at a cost of $15,000.00 to $50,000.00 for a week in prime season in a 2 bedroom.  Just like in the RV world, you can buy timeshares from the resale market at a fraction of the original cost. We have purchased several timeshares for a week in a one bedroom for a few hundred dollars.

Most timeshares are deeded property that you have forever, while the RV does wear out and must be retired or replaced. Of course, if you purchase an RV you could use it 365 days a year, while your timeshare just gives you a week for each one you own.

Another area to think about is your yearly cost.  In the timeshare world, you must pay a yearly maintenance fee which runs from $400.00 to over $1200.00 per week that you own. An RV needs yearly insurance, registration, storage fees, and vehicle maintenance. You must also look at your costs for each trip you take. When you go on a timeshare vacation, you need to get to your destination, and take care of food, either by eating out or cooking in your timeshare.  The RV people have the same decisions about food and they must pay nightly campground fees and fuel for their vehicles.

If you search the internet there are numerous cost comparisons between the RV trip and hotel, car, or flying trip. I think you need to work out the kind of vacations you will take every year and do the math. We timeshare 15 to 18 weeks every year and clearly make out better cost-wise than if we went the RV
route, but that could vary for everyone, depending on your lifestyle.

The last area is about lifestyle and vacations.  Some folks love the idea of having their RV with all their stuff in it when they travel. They enjoy going to parks and meeting people around campfires and the freedom to come and go when and where they want. Others don’t like the idea of camping, even in a motor home, and enjoy the luxury of their timeshares with plenty of room and all the comforts of home.

What’s important is that you take vacations and enjoy yourself. The issue of RV vs. timeshare needs to be looked at keeping each person’s likes and dislikes in mind.  We think you should do the math based on your lifestyle.  List the advantages and disadvantages as you see them and then go for it and ENJOY!!!

When I was nine years old, my family took our first real vacation together. We went to Evergreen Lodge in Ontario, Canada in early June and stayed for a week.  It was, and continues to be, a wonderful place.  Everyone stayed in cabins, and there was no running water in them back then.  (There is now, and has been for a long time.)  It kind of added to the mystique of the place—china pitchers and bowls stood on a washstand, and if you had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you grabbed your flashlight and headed up to the lodge.

You ate your meals at the lodge, and they were wonderful!  The resort was located right on Lake Huron, so originally, no need for a pool.  (That has changed, too.)  There were neat activities for kids, and fun things that I had never done before like square dances, masquerade parties, and talent shows. My parents liked the reasonable prices, especially since the American dollar went further in Canada.

We actually visited the lodge the first time with another family.  They never went back.  We, however, continued to go almost every year for the next 47 years. My husband and I became engaged there in the Canadian woods, and we later took our own children there.  We made many wonderful friends, and learned the words to “Oh, Canada” by heart.  We left there tearfully every July, knowing that it would be a whole year before we could return.

And then, things changed.  My father passed away in 2001, and we continued to go to Evergreen every summer with my mother.  Our kids were having kids and were otherwise occupied with their lives, so they no longer went. We felt somewhat forlorn, our table of three, at that fantastically family-friendly resort.

People continued to be nice, but something in us had changed—we missed our kids and grandkids, and decided we would probably rather be home, instead of at the lodge.  We grew tired of eating the same wonderful meals and doing the same activities every year.  And we had started to timeshare—yes, we had started to timeshare, where every place we went was new and different! With so many new things to learn and experience, we never had a dull or boring moment.

Yes, we still miss the grandkids, and always will when we’re away, but we have become very good at scheduling trips so that we are home for long periods of time.  Also, since we are experiencing new territory when we travel, we’re usually so enthralled that it takes a few days to a week before the homesickness sets in.

In making our decision not to return to Evergreen every year, we also knew that we would need passports.  This added expense, plus the devalued U.S. dollar, somewhat clinched the decision for us.

Making this choice was tough, therefore it always saddens me that some people who own timeshares continue to go the same place every year. It just seems so limiting, when there is a whole world of vacation possibilities out there, and it is so easy to trade.  It also amazes me that some people will only go to resorts within their own timeshare system. Of course, they have every right to do this– this is just my opinion.

Will we ever go back to Evergreen? I certainly hope so.  There have been a lot of changes there in the last year or so, to include more flexibility in length of stay.  And, it looks like we’ll be getting passports soon, anyway, as we’ve booked a week at a Whiski Jack Resort in Whistler for next fall.

But even if those things had not come about, I think we would still go back, although not every year. Evergreen Resort is a small, but important part of who I am, and it needs to be revisited now and then.  However, I am most grateful for all our timesharing vacation travel opportunities.  Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?

If your family takes a vacation every year, the question that often arises is, should you return to the same great place you went last year or head to some new location that you have never been? We thought we would take a look at some of the issues involved in this process to help you and your family decide.

We have talked to a lot of friends, family and others that are of the opinion that they should go back to the same place every year because they enjoy it so much. They might go to Disney every year because they and the kids love it. There are also numerous parks and things to do in the area, so they never get bored. A lot of people head south for a vacation to escape the winter weather. They love the resort and beach and have a great time relaxing, soaking up the sun, swimming, and other water sports every year. A number of people we know own a fixed week at a timeshare resort and go every year at the same time and stay in the same unit. We also have talked to folks who only trade within the timeshare system they own, like Hilton or Wyndham.  This is fine, because they are using their timeshare, but it seems like they are missing out on some great opportunities.

On the plus side of going to the same place every year is you know the area. Things like the resort itself, shopping, eating, activities, driving, and costs are familiar to you and there is little unknown. This makes it easier to plan budgets and what to take. You might also, in some cases, meet up with the same people who are doing the same thing that you are doing. Many people develop great friends and enjoy doing things with these new friends every year.

On the other hand, if you keep going to the same place every year you will miss out on so many great new vacations. There are untold places both in the United States as well as around the world that would make for fabulous vacations, and to some extent you are selling yourself short to keep going back to the same place. This is why the trading companies like RCI and II were developed, so that you could trade your timeshare week to almost anywhere in the world. The opportunities for new adventures and experiences are so vast that you need to take a risk and go somewhere new and different. This requires you to do research about the new location, which is half the fun. Also the learning opportunities are endless when you go to a new area, whether they are historical, natural or cultural.

We take several vacations every year and we like to do some of both. We have some favorite places that we go to and we like returning to those spots, some every year and some every couple of years. We also like to see new places and have some new experiences, so we plan to go every year to some place that we have not been to before. The choice is yours, but DO make sure to take those trips, because studies have shown that vacation travel is good for you!

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I disagree with that statement.  Every meal is the most important meal, and therefore should taste really good, and be nutritious (well, some of the time, anyway!)  We try to do a Timeshare Cooking article about once a month, and this time we will highlight Timeshare Breakfasts, and hopefully give you some ideas to spark your next special morning meal.

Usually when John and I stay in a timeshare, we don’t get too excited about cooking in the morning. Since it’s just the two of us, we stock up on muffins and coffee cake.  If we’re trying to eat a little healthier, we opt for English muffins or oatmeal and some fruit.  We often go out to breakfast and have omelets.  But occasionally, especially if we have guests, we like to serve something a bit more creative and/or special.  Thus we came up with the Baggie Omelets. Here are a few other recipes for you to enjoy that generally follow the Timeshare Cooking Rules:  Uses few ingredients, is easy to make, and tastes good.

BRUNCH EGG SOUFFLE

6 eggs
6 slices bread, cubed
3 c. milk
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 c. shredded cheese
Diced ham, bacon or crumbled sausage (whatever you like—about a cup)

Mix eggs, salt, milk and mustard with hand mixer or whisk.  Stir in bread and other ingredients.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Cover with foil and put in refrigerator overnight.  Take out ½ hour before baking.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for approximately 45 minutes.

We have tried lots of variations of this recipe, some much more complicated, and found this basic one to be very good.

BREAKFAST BANANA SPLITS

½ banana per person
1/3 c. vanilla yogurt per person
Bowls of fruit—blueberries, strawberries, grapes, pineapple chunks, sliced kiwi, whatever you like
A bowl/bowls of dry ingredients:  granola, almonds or coconut
1 cherry per person

Slice bananas length and widthwise.  Put in large bowls or on plates.  Top each with yogurt, fruit and dry ingredients as desired.  Put cherry on top.

These are nice, because everyone can make their own.  They can be served with another entrée, or simply eaten alone.

BAKED APPLE FRENCH TOAST

20 slices French bread (1 in. thick)
1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
8 eggs
2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. cinnamon
1/tsp. nutmeg

Topping

1 c. packed brown sugar
½ c. cold margarine, cubed

Arrange 10 slices of bread in a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Spread with pie filling and top with remaining bread.  In large bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Pour over bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Cut margarine into brown sugar until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Put on French toast.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

You can also use some chopped pecans as part of the topping.

Happy eating!

Because we travel often, occasionally we have ended up in a timeshare on a holiday, or during a holiday season. This can be kind of a mixed bag, especially if most of your family is back home and you and your spouse or significant other are alone in a different place. Or maybe part of your family is there, and some of them aren’t. We thought it might be worth it to explore the idea of spending a holiday in a timeshare–the ups and the downs and how to cope.

Back in 2005, we embarked on a trip to Hawaii in November. We did 4 islands in a little less than 4 weeks. Some friends from home joined us for the first 2 weeks and left a few days before Thanksgiving. We had never really thought that Thanksgiving was a big deal–usually I cook for 3 days, we eat the meal in 30 minutes, and it takes 3 hours to clean it all up! Everyone in the family always comes to our house, bringing a dish here or there–but mostly, we do all the work. So when we planned the Hawaii trip, we felt that we could easily miss that holiday and not feel too bad.

WRONG! We were in Honolulu on Thanksgiving and couldn’t even find a place to eat. The restaurant and hotel buffets were extravagantly expensive. We didn’t feel like cooking and none of our Entertainment Book coupons were good for that day. We ended up having a mediocre meal at Tony Roma’s and missing everyone terribly. Phone calls helped a little, but we decided then and there that missing major holidays was a no-no for us. Timeshare travel might be wonderful, but not on a holiday.

We have since then missed a Memorial Day and a Labor Day and didn’t feel too badly. It helped that we weren’t THAT far away from home (like Hawaii) and that the resorts that we were at had cookouts. Also, to us those are holidays that we might not always celebrate with relatives. But as of now, birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Mothers’ Day are days that we work around when we plan our trips.

Recently we stayed at Rams Horn Village in Estes Park, CO. They have a delightful resort party on Thanksgiving Day. Had there been something like that at our Honolulu resort, we might not have been so homesick. The night before Thanksgiving the resort manager distributes thawed turkeys to people who have offered to cook them. (Everyone who wants to signs up ahead of time for a committee).

They bring the cooked turkeys to the Activity Center by noon, at which time the carving committee shows up to carve them. Meanwhile, the decorating/set-up committee goes to work and at 2:00 everyone shows up to eat and brings a dish to pass. The clean-up committee is finished in time to attend the town parade around 4 or 5:00.

Leftovers are put out the following day for those who want to eat again. What a great idea! Several of their guests look forward to visiting every year during this special week–they even have a waiting list. Sounds like it would be kind of hard to be lonesome under those circumstances!

Of course, a great way to NOT miss your family when you are in a timeshare on a holiday is to take them with you! Timesharing accommodations are more like a home away from home, thus making it easier to have guests than in a motel. Usually, with some advance planning, you can house everyone either by using your points or renting extra units. Many great family reunions have taken place, and most resorts will bend over backward to help you achieve one.

So you’re in a timeshare on a holiday. What can you do to avoid the homesick blues? Before you go, call the resort and find out if there are any special activities planned for that day. If not, speak with the Activities Department and suggest a small gathering–maybe a wine and cheese party, an ice cream social–something to bring people together. You could even offer to host it if they will do the publicity. If that’s not going to work, try to seek out other guests before the actual holiday. If you meet people at the Welcome Party, find out if they have plans for that day. Even something simple like playing cards or a game can turn out to be more entertaining than sitting alone watching TV.

Before you go, do some research on the internet (and/or check with the resort) to see if there are any holiday activities planned in the area. If all else fails, before the holiday arrives, plan your day. Decide ahead of time on some enjoyable activities, where you’re going to dine, etc. The important thing is to have a plan, so you don’t feel at loose ends.

Happy Holidays!