Does your wife know why you are doing all this?
Yes. And yes, she thinks I am ridiculous. But she acknowledges little "breaks" like this refresh me and if I go too long without one I become not-very-fun-to-live-with. Though "too long" has becoming a longer and longer period of time, heh.
Also, I took her to the PA Grand Canyon a couple weeks ago (arranged babysitting, had lunch on a train, etc.), and then to Niagara Falls (with the entire brood) the following week, so I have some "currency."