Blogging,  Goals,  Inspiration

Reflecting Back and Looking Forward: Family Vacations

vacation

What other word can bring a smile across your face faster than the  word Vacation? Awwee just saying it conjures up such warm, happy  feelings.

As a child we always took a family trip in the Summer. Most of the  time it was driving to Las Vegas and then on to Los Angeles and San  Diego. I loved that road trip and came to love those cities. Even  traveled back to them several times as an adult.

Other times we took trips around Colorado and New Mexico.  Traveling around Colorado was always a treat since we mostly  stayed in the great Rocky Mountains. Estes Park was always on our  list of Summer destinations. The Stanley Hotel, from the movie The  Shining, was so grand looking to me as a child.   In Estes (as the  locals call it) we would also frequent the bumper boats, go carts and  the huge slides. Talking about all this takes me right back there.

Traveling south to New Mexico to visit Taos and Sante Fe both those towns left a great impression on my young mind. Such neat places with shops and galleries, so much to admire and look at. We would go further south down into Mexico and go shopping too. What rich memories fill my mind; traveling through the markets with my parents, who were hunting down treasures to sell at their store. The sites, sounds and people from another culture were like candy to me, so much excitement, activity, I loved it.

Mexican Market
Mexican Market

As an adult I traveled extensively to Mexico.  I have always had a heart for that country.  I have felt that way most of  life. Reflecting on that I think it may have started when I traveled there with family.

Ethnic Mexican Dresses

The travel bug bit me but I also had a full time job. I was jealous of friends I knew who were spending their 20’s backpacking and rafting through Central America. I had to stay satisfied with short trips and 1 extensive stay in Guadalajara. I will forever dream of “backpacking” around.

Fast forward: 2011, 3 kids, no vacation in more years than I can remember. Which is ok we do take day trips around Colorado, which I still love to do. However, like most other families we dream of the “Cruise” vacation, or a Disney Vacation, Legoland, NYC, you get the picture.

But when I sat down and really thought about where I would want to go to spend quality time with my family…. the answer came so quickly… which surprised me.

I have never been to this place but have heard from people who have. They say it is like being in a fairy tale book, trees taller and bigger than you can dream up, trees you can drive through, the lushest greenest vegetation you have ever laid eyes on….
Redwoods

Do you know where? Redwood National Forest, Oregon, Washington State, a driving tour up the NW Coast. Starting in Northern California then ending up in Victoria, BC would be so cool.

Oregon
Oregon

That is my goal, to take my husband and 3 boys and runaway for a couple of weeks. A nice drive up the coast, staying in cabins along the way. I think it would be amazing and breathtaking. What a perfect way to introduce my kids to traveling.

Here is to starting that Vacation Savings Account we have always talked about!
Redwoods

What U.S. Destination do you want to see with your family this Summer?


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Comment with Facebook

Weekend vacations are fun, plus you get to see more! Williamsburg must have been perfect for a homeschooling family.

Boston would be fun, I lived there for a while and was fascinated with all the history. Being from Colorado the oldest building here is only about 120 yrs. old.

I will for sure blog about the NW when we go. It sounds like a dream!

Let’s try this again. Not sure where my first post went. When Keri lived in Clovis Ca. Connie and I visited her there. We flew into San Fran where we met her and the kids. We visited the Wharf and loved the atmosphere and artsy people that sold their art work on the boardwalk. However, even better was a wonderfully magical place called Meir Woods! It is like walking into a
Disney movie. I expected to run into gnomes and elves on their way to work! It is truly a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it! Cut out the Starbucks, Hobby Lobby and Mardels and you will be in the redwoods in no time! You will be amazed!

That does sound great! I would love to do that, as well. Unfortunately, my husband does not get that much vacation time. My parents have a house on a lake in upstate NY that we usually go to. Last summer we went to Colonial Williamsburg for a week. This year we are talking about a long weekend in Boston and perhaps another long weekend somewhere, or maybe camping and then a week at the lake.

We went to Jamaica a few years ago and would LOVE to go back, but our girls are at that in-between stage. Hopefully in a few years.

If you go, PLEASE post photos!!!!