Write about a summer vacation gone wrong.

Posted in Summer on Aug 2, 2024

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✍️ 66 stories

“Coffee and Edible Underwear” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #262

They told me I'd love it. They lied. What I do love is to wake up at 6:30, not 7, not 6, but precisely 6:30. I love the smell of freshly brewed coffee, exactly six cups, enough for my wife and me – no wasted coffee. My coffee must contain 100 grams of vanilla caramel creamer, 20 grams of half and half, and 21 grams of honey (for my allergies). Sometimes, I go over by two or three grams, and that's okay, but I'll dump the corrupted drink if it's any higher. That's what I love. I don't love line dancing. Stan and Sally, our cabin neighbors, sw...

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“THE UNIVERSE HAS ITS WAY” by Shirley Medhurst

Submitted to Contest #262

Sometimes, the universe can be obdurate. It will insist upon having its own way.Marathons tend to complicate getting around the city, so my little sister and I agree that escaping a soon-to-be gridlocked Southampton to drive up and visit Gran two hundred miles away is the ideal way to start her five-day summer vacation with me. We were both born and grew up in France, and as she still lives there with our parents, she hasn’t seen Gran for four years now. I left home to come and study at university and have stayed here in the U.K. ever since....

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“Summer Vacation Paradise” by Mary Bendickson

Submitted to Contest #262

Summer Vacation Paradise“Have you heard from the kids yet? Are they packed and ready to go? Mapped out their plan of action to get there about the same time as we will?” Jed fussed as he double and triple checked his list.“You're the planner and coordinator of this whole trip. Haven't you been exchanging e-mails with them to know those answers?” His harried wife, Trudy, retorted. “Look. We saved for it. We meticulously planned for it. We've anticipated it. We've waited for this moment. We are on our way right on schedule. So relax. The kids ...

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“My Summer Holiday - Frozen, Fried, and Frazzled” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #262

At Christmastime in December 1975, our town became unusually cold. No, I didn't misunderstand the prompt. It's summer. The lead-up to Christmas Eve had been warm. This is common for the Southern Hemisphere, where summer falls towards the end of the year, and a traditional Christmas dinner is often an outdoor barbeque. But a cold snap can happen with our oceanic climate, especially near the coast. Unfortunately, we planned to go camping and anticipated the usual steamy December.Our mother spent several days packing. Our entourage consisted of...

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“Big Apple Dreams” by Arlin Dixon

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #262

Mom got the car. Even though it’s just a trial separation Alice, and no one is talking about divorce, I can’t help but notice things are getting divided. Me included. Mom gets me this month. I was supposed to be going to camp this summer with my friends. We’re finally old enough for sleep-away camp and we were going to roast marshmallows, swim in the lake, and stay up all night giggling while our counsellors met up by the fire pit with cans of things they’re not old enough to drink. But things happen in a trial separation. Things get forgott...

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“The Beach” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #262

The family made good time on the highway and arrived at the beach before a crowd could form. On a long weekend, the father and mother wondered if it was smart to take their boy and girl out to their old hangout; the place where they first met, fell in love, and continued to think about as a couple with responsibilities and little free time.“You kids are gonna love this.”“Yeah, dad. You said that already.” His daughter never looked up from her phone as she spoke.“We met here when we were about your age.”“Yeah, mom. We know.” Her son looked ou...

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“Leave No Trace” by Chris Sage

Submitted to Contest #262

“Where do you fancy going for our hols this year?” I ask Ellie, to the dreary percussion of rain. “I’m fed up with this time of year. Let's go to summer!” I've had enough of this winter too. It's November, the drops are heavy with sleet. I pick up the tablet and open up a brochure. “Where shall we go this time?” I ask, flicking through heavily touched-up images. “Paris, 2000?” “Nah,” Ellie dismisses. “Cultural stuff is too much like hard work in my time off. Somewhere with a beach?” Last year we went to see the summer of ‘69, mostly to ...

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“The Great Ardèche Canoe Catastrophe” by Samantha Red

Submitted to Contest #262

The Thompson family was buzzing with excitement. After months of dreary weather and monotonous routines, they were finally on their way to the Ardèche region in France for a much-needed vacation. Steve and Laura Thompson, along with their two kids, Emily and Jack, had planned every detail meticulously. They were particularly thrilled about the canoe trip they had booked down the scenic Ardèche River, inspired by a glossy pamphlet Steve had picked up from a charming local at a roadside café.The brochure featured stunning images of canoes glid...

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“Bear” by Victoria West

Submitted to Contest #262

She held up her phone, gazing at the top right corner. A large outcropping of rock lay ahead. Her dad slowed the car down for the turn. They passed the outcropping and… she held her breath. The last of the four bars faded. “Mom! Dad!” she shouted. “Did it happen?” her mom asked, glancing back at her. “Yup! Which means our vacation has officially started. Only twenty more miles to go” she replied, as she showed her phone off to no one in particular. She put her phone away and drank some lemonade. *** They pulle...

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“Antimachia” by Charlotte Cooper

Submitted to Contest #262

Antimachia Freedom tastes like frozen Ouzo shots at 4am, with no one to tell you it’s a bad idea.I found that out myself the summer I went to Greece with my friends. We learned a lot that summer, but only one experience would alter my life forever. Lisa and Cheryl had been my best friends since the first week of school. Our mum’s met at a school fundraiser, bonded over a bottle of wine and the weekly play dates began. Our birthdays were within a week of each other and after our joint fifth birthday party in my back g...

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“Earning the Golden Bandage Award ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #262

Being an adult Boy Scout Leader can be a rewarding experience, so I was told before signing the contract. When I turned the signed contract in, the man hid his smirk. This should have been my first clue, but I wanted to help out the troop where my son was now a member. “Hey there, welcome aboard.” The scoutmaster, Mr. Hinge shook my hand, “You have joined just in time.” “How so?” I asked in complete naivety. “Summer camp is in three weeks. We are going to Camp Geronimo this year.” Mr. Hinge told me as his smirk reappe...

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“The holiday” by Laura Camacho Frias

Submitted to Contest #262

I've never considered myself highly adventurous, but through the years, many have told me that some of my choices might not have been the easiest on the catalog. I've always traveled with my children, and when the first two were small, I always did it in their father's company. Still, when my third son was one year old, and the other two were a constant menace to my mental health, I decided to fly solo and leave my husband at home, who was trying to finish some last-minute deliverables. I had too many holidays after the pregnancy and the mat...

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“Birthday Dreams” by Nicholas Thomas

Submitted to Contest #262

Today marks another trip around the sun for me – it’s my birthday! I’m being treated to a whole day out by my two daughters, Marie and Leigh. With me being a night owl – and of course, my two girls got that from me, too – we decided it would be more exciting if we slept in a little and went out for celebrations at night. Our first stop, Starbucks. I had an iced vanilla latte which I indulgently guzzled down, but that’s okay; it was delicious, and it’s OK to splurge a little on the night of your birthday. &n...

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“Caught in Dick of the Beach's Web” by Lily Finch

Submitted to Contest #262

It was the first day at our beach house, and Randy, my Standard Poodle, and I were just looking around the place when we noticed a nude beachcomber heading our way. I'm far from shy and not the least bit timid, but the man I saw coming toward me made a plantain look tiny. I looked and then looked away since I didn't want to seem like I was gawking. But then I looked again. I couldn't believe my eyes; the man was well-tanned and in great shape. He caught me looking because when I looked up at his body and made my way to his face, he smiled a ...

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“Rate Your Stay” by Karen McDermott

Submitted to Contest #262

1st July 2024 Vanessa: Hi! I’m looking forward to staying in your gorgeous, quiet cottage. I’ve booked it as a writer friend suggested a change of scene for me while I finish the first draft of my debut novel. I’m not purposefully being boastful by the way – the site was just recommending I introduce myself and give a reason for my stay :) Best wishes, Vanessa. P.S. If I get published, you’ll definitely get a mention in the acknowledgements! StarHost: Thank you for booking your stay at Acorn Cottage. Check in is with a lockbox. The code a...

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Write about a summer vacation gone wrong.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 66 stories

“Coffee and Edible Underwear” by Daniel Rogers

“THE UNIVERSE HAS ITS WAY” by Shirley Medhurst

“Summer Vacation Paradise” by Mary Bendickson

“My Summer Holiday - Frozen, Fried, and Frazzled” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

“Big Apple Dreams” by Arlin Dixon

“The Beach” by Kendall Defoe

“Leave No Trace” by Chris Sage

“The Great Ardèche Canoe Catastrophe” by Samantha Red

“Bear” by Victoria West

“Antimachia” by Charlotte Cooper

“Earning the Golden Bandage Award ” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

“The holiday” by Laura Camacho Frias

“Birthday Dreams” by Nicholas Thomas

“Caught in Dick of the Beach's Web” by Lily Finch

“Rate Your Stay” by Karen McDermott

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with a heatwave announcement.

Write about a character who is allergic to heat.

Center your story around an unexpected summer fling.

Set your story during the hottest day of the year.

Contest #262

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

267

Contest entries

91

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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