I come from a fairly frugal family. My parents had a big garden, so we froze and canned a lot of our food. My mom made most of our clothes until I became able to make my own in high school. We rarely ate out. We saved a lot of money doing those and other things.
The one thing my parents agreed to spend money on was...Family Vacations!
I grew up spending lots of time in the back seat...in addition to family vacations, we also took Sunday drives and visiting either one of our grandparents' home was a 5 hour trip one way. I looked forward to time together in the car with few distractions and hearing my parents tell stories or even sing! ( I know, how hokey is that...but we did!). I would even lay up on the rear window ledge and look at the stars.
Still frugal, our car trips involved lots of picnics and free entertainment . We visited lots of museums and historical sites, and even college campuses. My parents made it all seem like fun and an adventure, so we didn't miss amusement parks, etc. on our trips.
When our kids came along, we wanted to make the same kind of memories with them.
We have packed the car and later our suburban, Big Red, with kids, friends, a grandmother, a guitar or two, weights and enough luggage and snacks to sustain us all on our various travels.
Our longest trip time wise was a 2 week jaunt back east toWashington, D.C. We toured the Capitol, went to the White House, the Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Colonial Williamsburg , Yorktown, Hampton Beach, Annapolis, the Naval Academy and various other points between here and there! It was epic..and educational..and inspiring at all the National Monuments.
We played hoops on the lawn at Mt. Vernon, next to the Potomac River. Parking in a big parking Garage and downtown Baltimore was another adventure, as well as taking the water taxi across the Harbor. We ate crab cakes and buried one another on the beaches. We even got involved in a mock trial at Williamsburg where my husband sat on the jury..as he was one of the few in the crowd that met the requirements for this duty...white, male, of a certain age, and a land owner.
Spending Memorial Day at Gettysburg was a sobering experience as I thought of all the young men, only a little older than my own sons, who died in the battles there. We also stopped at various points between here and there and saw God's provision in many ways, including protection while crossing the Mississippi River in six lanes of traffic in torrential rain. Stopping in St. Louis for a baseball game was still a big deal for some in the car. The best part of that trip and any was what we learned about each other..each persons's favorite experiences, what spoke to our hearts.
I am happy to report that at the end of the trip, everyone was quite happy to return home. We couldn't click our ruby slippers, but we piled into Big Red and got home to Kansas anyway.
Our trips through the years has also taken us to the Grand Canyon and the Grand Tetons, to Mt. Rushmore and the mountains of Colorado and North Carolina. We've explored the beaches in Florida and along the shores of the Great Lakes..and yes, stopped at quite a few museums and historical sights along the way. We've seen God at work in His creation and in the lives of people modern day as well as in the past. A change of scenery often gave us a change of perspective and of heart.
Be safe on your travels..get out there and explore God,'s great big world. Or have a stay-cation and explore what is all around you in a new way.
Our best adventures were when we stepped into local life and made new friends. Stopping for a local church's cherry festival was a great way to learn about God,s people in other places. We stayed in wonderful familyhomes at Bed and Breakfasts. Visiting State parks was a highlight and if you visit a state with State Park lodges, stay or eat at one! Bring books about local people and history and read to your family.
Look for God at work all around you..and you'll be amazed!
