Vacation. I almost forgot what it was.

After years of hearing about others' vacations, seeing photos of people enjoying themselves on beaches, on cruise ships, hiking near beautiful mountain ranges, strolling the acreage at Disney World, and more on Facebook, I began to wonder what it was like to take a "real vacation" — a vacation away from work, telephones, email, electronic devices, cold weather, domestic duties and other things that you can hardly avoid when you take a "staycation."

I've done too many "staycations" I've decided since returning from a week vacationing in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha? Nebraska? Now Omaha wouldn't be my first choice if I had to pick a vacation destination but there are reasons why my wife and I went there last week. Our son, Tim, has been working for Pacific Life in Omaha for over four years and though he has returned home every past September since, as well as for Christmases, I had never visited him. My wife had gone out there once before to see him and to attend our niece's high school graduation (she also went out in 1990 for her brother's wedding), but I stayed home.

When our daughter and son were small, we were treated to two trips (flights) to Disney World by my in-laws – once with just the six of us and the second time with 17 family members, which was enjoyable but confusing sometimes.

The second time was my last vacation out of state for more than three days – it was in 1996, that's 22 years ago!

I've been to Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Delaware for "quick" trips by car, but spending six days away and flying on a plane to get "there" has been a rarity. One of those car trips was for a funeral – hardly much fun was had.

The other reason we went to Nebraska was to attend our nephew's high school graduation. You might come across his name someday – Casey Burnham. Not only was he a three-sport athlete in Grand Island, Nebraska, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA and is headed to the University of Kansas to study and to play baseball.

Thanks to my wife (and my son's experience with airline travel), the flight arrangements were done without any interference from me. She also found some good prices.

Tim and his girlfriend, Megan, were great hosts, letting us stay in his apartment so we didn't have to pay "exorbitant" hotel prices, and showing us around Omaha. The food was fantastic and affordable, the weather was much warmer than what we left behind here, and time spent with family was priceless.

Omaha is a great place to visit. Hopefully I am not blinded by the fact that it's my first “long” vacation anywhere in over two decades, but I do recommend a visit there. The Old Colony area of the city reminded me a lot of the Old Port area of Portland.

Our first full day there was spent at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, which is rated, along with the San Diego Zoo, as one of the top zoos in the world. We only spent about five hours there – it was 85 degrees and humid — and only visited the various areas briefly, but if you have never been there and are zoo fans, be sure to visit (or at least browse its website).

Other trip highlights included:

• The Old Colony Farmers Market
• The variety of meals and beers shared with Tim and Megan
• The visit with Megan's parents in York, Nebraska on our way to Grand Island
• Meeting Tim’s and Megan's co-workers at Pacific Life
• Seeing the stadium where the College World Series is played starts next month!
• Visiting the humongous Nebraska Furniture Mart — you haven't seen anything like it.
• Just being away from the aforementioned work-related stuff

Sorry for the mini travelogue. I just am excited about being, perhaps, back in "vacation" mode for the first time in (too) many years.

If you haven't been on vacation in a while, I suggest you try it. I know I will next year.