The Adirondack region in northeastern New York state encompasses approximately six million acres of scenic, mountainous territory. Fort Ticonderoga, where critical Revolutionary War events took place, is located in the area. After the Civil War, well-to-do folks in New York City escaped summer heat and hassles of urban life by traveling to the Adirondacks — a practice now considered as the origin of family vacations.

There were relatively few that could afford such luxuries at the time. Today, Americans enjoy a respite from work or retirement, whether a day at a time, a week, or sometimes longer. Regardless of duration or destination, escapes can be refreshing.

Our few family vacations during the ’50s and ’60s rarely involved travel outside of Kansas — unless there was fishing involved. More than once, my sister and I with parents and grandparents were jammed into the station wagon amidst suitcases and fishing gear for a trip to the Ozarks. We always stayed at the Cedar Hollow Resort for angling on Table Rock lake.

Use of the term “resort” to describe the place was a stretch. In today’s world the place would be likened to a run-down version of the Rosebud Hotel in the television series, Schitt’s Creek. Grandparents slept in a bedroom with a window air conditioner while Mom and Dad sweltered through the night on a pull-out couch and my sister and I slept on the floor.

Before Rita set her hooks into me when I was single, friends extended an invitation to travel to see the sights of Italy. Along with other couples, several nights stay had been reserved in a small castle just outside the quaint little town of Traversa. It offered enough rooms for all who would be traveling together. Once there and settled in, the group took a short walk into town for dinner. A young, strikingly beautiful Sophia Loren look-alike waited on our table at the ‘Resterante’ using English laced with a thick Italian accent. I knew I was in love. It was hard to take my eyes off of Stephania.

Because the carbonara and spaghetti with meatballs were delicious, the group returned the following evening for more. Much to my disappointment, Stephania was nowhere to be seen. An older woman who spoke no English took orders as we awkwardly pointed toward menu items and nodded. Fellow traveler, Bob, used a book of common Italian phrases to discover our new waitress was Stephania’s mother. When my turn to order came. I placed one hand between buttons on my shirt, patted my chest to simulate a pounding heart, held the other hand with palm up, then asked, “Stephania? Where is Stephania?”

Bob turned toward me to whisper, “Dennis, say this to her…” I repeated the three phrases Bob coached one at a time as my heart continued to pound. Stephania’s mother only laughed, then left for the kitchen.

“What did I say, Bob?” I needed to know.

He said, “You told her you’re single, you’re rich and you have no diseases.”

Although Rita and I have never visited the Adirondacks, perhaps we will include it on our list of options for an escape someday. We might learn more about Fort Ticonderoga’s history, enjoy the beauty of the mountains and maybe visit the Bog River or Harper Falls. I doubt if there will be a resort or castle involved. Who knows, though? There might just be a Rosebud Hotel with a window air conditioner, pull-out couch and black and white TV we could experience as reminders of the good old days.

Fishing rods or a book of translated common phrases won’t be required. But we might enjoy a refreshing, leisurely stroll for a delicious Italian dinner somewhere. If so, once again I won’t be able to take my eyes off a gorgeous young woman. This time, she will be sitting just across the table from me.