I really don’t know how it all started. I guess we figured that because we were celebrating our first anniversary, we should take a trip.

So we packed up and went to Wilmington, Del., so Maria could indulge herself in some of the DuPont houses in that area. Almost 11 years later, we’re still hitting the road every year by ourselves to celebrate the milestone. The only difference is now Bridget gets a vacation of her own at Granny’s house.

I remember that first trip for a couple of things. First off, I liked the houses a lot more than I thought I would. Secondly, some restaurant near our hotel in Wilmington had an amazing Buffalo chicken breast sandwich that pretty much changed my life.

We took our trip a little early this year and, while the food didn’t move me this time around, we had our usual fantastic time.

In a new tradition, Maria got to pick this year’s destination so we took the trip a little earlier than usual and visited New York to watch the U.S. Open.

We had gone up for the tournament a couple of years ago for a daytrip and loved it. Even though this was her pick, I couldn’t wait when she said she wanted to watch two straight days of tennis and stay in New York City.

I couldn’t complain even if it was something I didn’t want to do since she indulged me last year and went to Vegas.

Like most trips this year’s edition went off pretty much without a hitch. Except for having to turn around on I-78 and use a state route to avoid road construction. And for a wrong turn which put us in a part of Queens where none of the signs were in English. And the bed in our hotel room which was missing one leg and tilted toward one corner.

But like I told Maria, every trip needs to have a story. This one didn’t have as many fun ones as we brought back from Vegas, but we did OK.

I generally don’t like to tell people they “have to” do something, but I would recommend visiting the U.S. Open even for people who don’t watch that much tennis. The event has so much more than what you see on TV. One of my favorite things is just popping in on an outer court to watch a doubles or juniors match for a little while.

I have enjoyed going up there so much, I think I’d like to do it every year I get the chance, separate from our anniversary tradition.

Which brings me to the difficult task of choosing next year’s trip. I know I can’t get away with Vegas again so I have to get creative for something that will make both of us happy.

We have hit Wilmington and Vegas. New York (twice) and London. We have used weddings in Connecticut, Ohio and South Carolina as anniversary trips. We even stayed home one year while Bridget went to my mother-in-law’s so we could sleep in and go to the movies.

I shouldn’t have too much a problem. As long as I get to travel with my wife, have good food and get away from everything else, I’m fine.

Just as long as there aren’t too many historic houses involved. Let’s save that for her years.