We’re in the process of planning our trips for 2008. One of our favorite vacation states is North Carolina. It is simply a beautiful, charming state to visit. For us, North Carolina holds a lot of special memories since we honeymooned there. Someday we will go back and explore the state further.

One city that is a must see is Raleigh, North Carolina. That part of North Carolina has so much going on that is positive. I’d love to live there since Raleigh has become quite the technology hub playing home to a number of game companies. Just for registering with VisitRaleigh.com, I will be entered into the FREE Raleigh Getaway. The prize includes a one night’s stay for two at the Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh Crabtree Valley. To make sure you have plenty to do, the getaway also includes:

Free VIP admission for two to Rum Runners
2 tickets to the North Carolina Theatre
2 tickets to the N.C. Museum of Art’s Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism
2 tickets to Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

And if that isn’t enough, there is also a $25 gift certificate to Bloomsbury Bistro. This getaway is packed full of fun things to do in Raleigh. There is a lot else going on in Raleigh, too. Being an ABBA fan, if I won, I would have to check out Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! reminds me of the TV show “My Two Dads” except add one more possible Dad.

Of course, I always loved traveling to that part of the country in the fall since everything is so gorgeous with the fall foliage. So, a fall getaway to Raleigh sounds very appealing. Winning the Raleigh getaway and taking the trip in the fall would be ideal.

It’s so nice to be able to plan virtually a whole trip online. I remember the old days when we would have to wait to get to a place to really know what exactly we wanted to do while we were there. Visit Raleigh does make it easy to find out exactly what Raleigh has to offer and plan accordingly.

Hopefully our trip back to North Carolina will be forthcoming. My parents and I went almost every year when I was growing up. Those same memories I have of North Carolina I can’t wait to share with my daughter in a few years.

So, I recently won a contest with a cash prize. I’m thrilled over it but am also fighting off the impulse to go buy a Wii. I could really use the money to pay some bills and finally have a month where don’t almost break the bank before it’s over. That idea sounds even more appealing. I hate being responsible.

Before I found out I was the winner, I had formulated a plan to make the money to buy a Wii. Now with this extra money, I think I can step up my plan and make it happen within a week. The overall plan is to buy one before the Christmas season gets in full swing. I have a feeling they might be harder to find come November and December.

So, very soon I shall have my Wii. Oh yes, it will be mine.