Where It All Started

I was just 4 years old when my parents took me on my first family vacation, and I can still remember it to this day. We lived in Southern California and took a road trip up to Northern California, visiting the redwood forests and other beautiful scenic areas. We also visited the city of San Francisco; I can still remember the first time I saw the Golden Gate Bridge. Our trip consisted of wonderful scenic drives and amazing hiking trails. My grandparents, from both sides of my family, also came along. I remember waving to them out the rear window as they followed us in their car, up the coastline of California. Aside from the memories of beautiful scenery and peaceful hiking trails, I distinctly remember being very happy...Not only was it a great adventure for a 4-year old, but I got to share it with my whole family.

In the spring of 1977, I had just turned 5 years old, and my parents rented one of those folding, pop-up tent trailers. We had a bright, yellow Chevy Malibu (what I refer to now as the banana car) that towed that thing all the way to Arizona and Utah for a two-week camping trip. We visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Cedar Breaks in Utah. Even though I was very young when we went on that trip, I have many memories of it...I remember hiking part of the Grand Canyon, and my father kept reminding me to "pick up my feet" so I wouldn't trip. I remember a big lightening storm overhead while hiking through Bryce Canyon and my mom and I were so scared. I remember, while hiking through Zion, losing my hat down a steep hill after a strong gust of wind came along and blew it off my head, and my father had to traverse the steep terrain to retrieve it for me. I remember going through an Indian reservation in Arizona and my mother buying turquoise jewelry at the tourist stands. I remember that that was the trip where I'd first seen snow. I remember being in my sleeping bag on my side of the trailer, looking up at the stars and thinking that that was the greatest thing ever! And I remember losing one of my first baby teeth while lying in the camper under those stars. I remembered the trip so well, that years later, at the age of 19, when I visited Zion National Park for the first time since then, I could tell you what camp ground had a jungle gym.

As a child, my parents took me on many more trips. Even into adulthood, I've enjoyed taking trips with my parents. Though I was quite young on these first two trips, the memories still mean so much to me even to this day. I now have a long distance love affair with the American Southwest. I've vacationed to the Southwest more times than any other place. Now that I have a child of my own, I can't wait for him to experience his family vacations as I did. We've already taken my son on some great nearby trips. Next year, just before my son's 5th birthday, we are planning our first "big" trip with him. Where will we go? We will be renting a trailer and taking it to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Cedar Breaks. At that time, it will be nearly 30 years since my first trip there. What about a Northern California trip, you say? Well, I now live in Northern California and we've already taken him on some beautiful camping and hiking trips to the redwoods and sequoias.

It's never too early to start vacationing with your children. It doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't have to be far away...It's just important that you go, enjoy some time away from work and, in particular, enjoy some time with your children. Their lives will be so much more enriched and your bonds that much greater because you did!