
So when I arrived at this lodge, tucked into the majestic mountainside near Yosemite National Park, I reached for my welcome packet, searching for the free WIFI code and low and behold...NOT FREE!! There would be a daily usage fee should I choose to access it. Now don't get me wrong, I'm willing to pay for internet when I must, but my beef occurs when I'm already paying a pretty penny to stay at the hotel/lodge anyway. This was no cheap stay. So give me free internet. Screw the shower cap. Even Motel 6 offers free internet. Come on!

Maybe THE LODGE (that's what we'll call it to protect its identity) was actually onto something--force people to stop using the internet and start interacting with their family (I was planning to interact with my family...just not as much). I hiked. I went on open-air tram rides. I even went swimming with my kids in the pool (yeah, the one in the picture PLUS the inside pool as well). I allowed my children to nearly drown me. I was an EXCELLENT parent. I even took really long naps on my big comfy lodge bed. Had I been able to access the internet, I wouldn't have done half those things. I'd be busy trying to get my novel ready for the August 15th release. I would be writing blog posts and checking email--all while sitting at the pool side. Relaxing without my laptop perched on my legs is something I'm not used to doing.
All in all I had an excellent time and my kids got their mom--not the writer--for vacation.
How about you? Do you freak out a little when denied internet access? How do you cope?