“Are you sure ya can handle the farm while I’m gone?” Applejack asked as she closed her suitcase.

“Applejack, I’ve been running this farm since you were in diapers! Of course I can handle it!” Granny Smith yelled.

“But what about yer back? Isn’t it still bothering you?”

Granny Smith grabbed hold of Applejack’s suitcase and flung it onto her back in one fluid motion. “Does that answer yer question?” she says with a chuckle “The doc did a follow up and says I’m all better. Bed rest did the trick.”

Applejack doesn’t look completely convinced, but doesn’t push the subject. “But won’t you be short hoofed with me gone?”

“Oh don’t worry about that! Big Macintosh hired a farm hand from town to take over your chores while yer gone. Really eager to work, that one.”

“But-”

Granny Smith put a hoof over Applejack’s mouth. “We can handle ourselves while you’re on yer vacation. The whole farm ain’t gonna fall apart the minute you get on that boat.”

“Yer right... I really should get going.” Applejack said as she grabbed she suitcase from Granny Smith. Just as Applejack made her way for the door, Granny Smith stopped her.

“Hey. Do me a favor?”

“Anything for you, Granny.”

“Enjoy yourself.”

Applejack walked up to Granny Smith and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I will, I promise.”

“Good, now get outta here before you miss yer ride.”

Applejack glanced at the clock and gasped aloud. “Oh horse feathers, I gotta go!” galloping out the door, Applejack made her way for Ponyville.

“Bye Granny Smith, bye Big Macintosh, bye Apple Bloom! Take care while I’m gone!”

Applejack was tossing her bag into the back of the carriage when she heard the sound of hoofbeats behind her. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie had all made it.

“Really, this is great. Thanks everyone for seeing me off ‘fore I go. It means a lot.”

“Well, we aren’t going to see you for like a week!” Dash yelled

“And it would be downright rude if we didn’t say bon voyage before you left.” Rarity added.

“Are you sure you have everything?” Twilight asked.

“Yup, got my ticket and some spending bits. I’m taking the carriage to Gotland Bay and from there, it’s a straight cruise to Summerset Keys.” Applejack said as she pulled a white slip of paper out of the brim of her hat.

“I can’t help but be a little jealous...” Fluttershy said above a whisper “There’s supposed to be all sorts of rare and exotic creatures in Summerset Keys and I’d love to see them..”

“Oh, don’t you worry none, ‘shy. I’ll pick up a camera along the way and take plenty a photos.”

“Thank you.”

“Oooh, I’m gonna miss you!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she wrapped her hooves around Applejack’s neck and hugged her tightly “It’s not going to be the same with you gone!”

“I’m gonna miss you too.” Applejack says through a forced wheeze. Prying Pinkie Pie’s off of herself, Applejack takes a deep breath and turns to her friends. “All of ya. I mean, I know it’s just a week, but we haven’t been apart since we met.”

Climbing into the carriage, Applejack waves goodbye as the carriage trots of and couldn’t help but smile when her friends started shouting goodbye until they were out of sight.

“Summerset Keys, eh?” the driver asked nonchalantly “Quite the place. Romantic, too. Nothing beats watching Luna’s moon rise over the ocean with somepony you love.”

Applejack slumped down in her seat a bit and stared out the window. “Yeah... Somepony you love...”