What was your favorite place to go on vacation or your favorite vacation?
Growing up, we didn't take any vacations because we just didn't have money for them. We lived in Southern California so we would go to the beach or the zoo, occasionally Disneyland, but never more than a day trip and not far away. We did go back to visit family in Pennsylvania one year when I was 13 years old. My first plane trip. I enjoyed it then. I don't like flying now.
When hubby and me were first married, before children, we took a vacation at least once a year. It was always to places we could drive to. We went to San Francisco and Napa Valley, Hearst Castle, Aspen Colorado, Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico to name a few of the places we visited. We usually vacationed in October around our anniversary. The crowds were less and the weather usually pleasant.
Pretty much every year when we had kids we had a vacation. Usually always to places we could drive to. Because we lived in a few different parts of the western states, we would see the tourist attractions in those areas. When we lived in Montana of course we visited Yellowstone. We also went to Rapid City South Dakota (that is a fun town with lots to see including Mount Rushmore). When we lived in New Mexico we drove over to the Grand Canyon. It was always an adventure traveling with kids, as anyone with children will attest to.
After we became empty nesters, we still took vacations. Again always to places we could drive to. The last time I flew, and it will be the last time I fly, was to my niece's wedding in Washington DC back in September 2018. I do not like flying and I won't get on a plane again.
But my favorite vacation was the vacation we took back in 2005 to Washington DC. It was my son, my husband and me. We visited my sister and her family and my mom as they live right outside of Washington DC. We had so much fun visiting all the usual "tourist traps" of the nation's capital. We didn't tour the White House but of course we saw the White House. We loved the Smithsonian museums we visited and we didn't realize it until we got there that they were free (at least at that time they were). We especially enjoyed traveling around on their Metro system (like the subway). We would park at a shopping center that had a Metro station, buy a pass for the day and use it to get all around to where we wanted to go. Saved on trying to find a place to park in downtown DC and we just thought it was so cool to travel that way (doesn't take much to make us happy I guess). It was the last time I saw my mom before she passed a year later. We ate at great restaurants, we took a drive and saw where my husband had been born, Patuxent Naval Air Station. We couldn't get on to the naval base, obviously, but we at least got to see the area where he had been born and had lived for his first several years of life. We also visited Solomons Island where I had the best crab cakes and my husband and son had the best key lime pie. Just best trip ever!
Hubby and me are thinking about a vacation for this year. I think we might have found where we will go, probably in September, but that is another post for another day :)
I too don't like flying much though to visit some places I wanna go flying is must. I want to go Europe or usa when I can :) that can am not sure when! Its good u found many places with in driving distance ..my last vacation was to a near by place ..a 3-4 hr drive and after returning I caught Covid😄
ReplyDeleteSo true flying is a must for some locations. I would love to visit Israel but I wouldn't be able to endure that plane trip. I would be too claustrophobic. I have traveled in the pandemic and have been, thankfully, healthy upon return. Too bad you got Covid after your trip!
Deletebetty
I can count on one hand the number of vacations I have been on. My parents took my brother on several before I was born but after I came along there was only one trip that we took. When I was married we couldn't afford to go anywhere.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is not cheap to travel, especially these days.
Deletebetty
We didn't have money for vacations when I was growing up, either and didn't have any tourists attractions around, so our trips were day trips to visit relatives. I now live outside Washington, DC and would agree there are many great things to see. The Smithsonian museums are still free and wonderful. However, there are so many political crazies around these days, I'm not as comfortable going into Washington as I used to be.
ReplyDeleteI can see that about not being comfortable going into Washington DC these days . Our last trip was in 2018 for a niece's wedding. We didn't do anything in Washington DC since we had done that before and it was so humid and so hot, unbearable for us lol. We did visit Gettysburg that trip and really enjoyed our visit there. We too growing up would go and see relatives when we lived close by to them but when I was 7 years old we left Pennsylvania and moved to San Diego and only had one aunt there that we would spend time with.
Deletebetty
Flying is a necessary evil for me. I didn’t mind it until the TSA. Our favorite destination is Napa/Sonoma,but the prices are out of control now, so we won’t be going back. We went 3 times, so maybe we need somewhere new. We took the kids all over the US and my fave trip with them was when we went to all the national parks in Utah. It is amazing! Travel is my favorite thing and I could go on and on. I agree with you that DC is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about prices. I haven't been to Napa/Sonoma in years but always enjoyed my time up there. Arizona has a lot of interesting wineries to visit :) I have not been to the national parks in Utah. I'm going to have to check them out. I like traveling but I always do like coming home.
Deletebetty
I'm a little sad that Tom's health concerns make taking a vacation improbable. Still, I've wonderful memories of the places I've been and the places I've seen. I'm grateful to have seen much of Europe, but wouldn't want to go there right now with all the civil unrest. Plus, I'd probably have to fly and that's never going to happen again if I have anything to say. LOL.
ReplyDeleteLOL with flying. I hear you about it! Sorry with Tom's health concerns but I get it. Don't want to get stranded some place in a strange town with a health emergency. I would like to see Israel but it is not going to happen since I won't get on a plane lol :)
Deletebetty
I can't contribute to this one, Betty, as I haven't been on a vacation in decades. But I enjoyed reading about yours. ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea! I do enjoy them but the older I get the more I'm content just sticking around home :)
Deletebetty
My aunt lived in Rapid City SD and I remember going there. It was fun.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Florida for 20 plus years and we really enjoyed trips all over the state. St. Augustine was my favorite. I also love a number of places in Georgia like Savannah. Now that I'm older I honestly prefer a vacation at home. This winter I took off December 23 thru January 3 for a staycation at home other than a few lunches out or seeing lights. It was awesome and I will now do that every year I enjoyed it so much. The week between Christmas and New Years should be celebrated at home with your loved ones if at all possible.
I have never been to Florida or Georgia. Might have to plan a car trip to both of those places sometime. I know what you mean about vacations at home. Sometimes those are the most relaxing. When I worked for heart surgeons years ago, we had our choice of the week before Christmas off or the week between Christmas and New Year's off. I always went for that week between Christmas and New Year's. More relaxing! I think you are wise to make this an annual tradition for you and your family!
Deletebetty
Just wanted to tell you our beloved Disco crossed over the Rainbow Bridge yesterday - we had to put him to sleep. So just trying to recover for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI did see that on Facebook Sandie. I am sorry for your loss. Allow yourself the time to grieve him. He was a much beloved member of your household for years. I remember you talking about getting him, worried about maybe being allergic to him, etc. I'm just sorry they don't live longer than they do :(
Deletebetty
I'm with you on flying -- I hate the whole ordeal! My parents took me on a few big vacations but not many. We went to Disney World three times. Houston a few times. San Antonio once. Now Clint and I have taken our kids on LOTS of big trips, but we do tend to go to the same places. We went to Disney every year for almost 10 years straight! We go to Gulf Shores, AL quite a bit too. I would love to go to Washington DC someday. And Vegas. And Disneyland. Clint wants to travel overseas, but that would involve hours of flying and I'm not to keen on that.
ReplyDeleteOh no, not flying overseas! I hear you on that! It is nice that you have "traditions" of where you take the kids for vacation. That is another good way to make memories!
Deletebetty
When I was a kid we camped all over Michigan and parts of Canada. The first time I flew was when I went to visit a friend in Houston when I was about 35 years old! I have a few favorite vacations, one being when we went on a cruise in 2009 with our kids and their significant others. I have spent very little time in the western side of the country and I aim to change as soon as I can!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm the opposite. I've spent a lot of time on the West Coast area lol :) I bet that cruise with your kids/significant others was a great one! That is something we haven't done yet, a cruise. I'm not a camper lol, but I hear it is a lot of fun for those that enjoy it :)
Deletebetty
Oh Happy Holidays! Living down the road from Disneyland would have been such a joy, it was one thing my friends and I all wanted most for a holiday growing up! I wonder where you have chosen for your next vacation.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to go to Disneyland every year or so, but then it got a bit boring at times. Some of the magic got lost from frequent visits. We are going some place new to us in September. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteBetty
It's nice to get away, isn't it? I think it's good to get out of our own "ruts" and explore new things. Washington DC area is on my list. Like you, we took fun road trips with the kids when they all still lived at home. I haven't been on a plane since just before 9/11 - just nowhere I've needed to fly to.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you in on a little secret. I think our September vacation is heading up your way :) We were silly, the first time we visited Washington DC was in 1989 when my sister was getting married. We drove across country from Oregon with a 3.5 year old and a 2 month old. We were crazy!! That is quite a record not to be on a plane. Before we flew in 2018 for my niece's wedding I hadn't flown since 2005. I hope to never get on a plane again :)
Deletebetty
Awwww I love this post! I won't fly either so as you know, we drive everywhere. We drove from Knoxville to DC in approximately 1995 (I can't remember the exact year) and took our kids to see all the stuff there, and rode the metro and enjoyed it much as you did. Such a great time. My favorite vacation was when TG and I drove to New England and toured around that region for eight days. That was just marvelous. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI bet that was great visiting New England! I would love to see it in the fall with the leaves changing! I'm glad there is another kindred soul who doesn't plan to fly anywhere :)
Deletebetty
The zoo, I believe, is also free. The pandas are so awesome. We have gone many places with the kids. Up and down the entire east coast, Vegas, the canyon, and most recently, San Fran to Monterey. Oldest would like to actually go somewhere on Spring break since it's his first (and last) Spring break of college because of the virus. he asked me to help him plan something with the boys since as I have previously declared "I am DONE planning family trips." That said, I think he and I might be looking at Iceland for the northern lights for his graduation in fall of 2023. After all, I said no family trips... he and I would just be part of the family. :)
ReplyDeleteIceland would be awesome to visit! What a great graduation trip I do believe! Of course you would have to tag alone with it. And yes, you are right. The zoo in Washington DC was free. It was a really nice one too!
Deletebetty
Those sound like lovely vacation spots you went to after you were married. Yes, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon are awesome. I want to do those again. I have not been to Washington DC but always wanted to see it. Glad you got to see you mom that last time. Mark, since he traveled so much with his job, hates flying. I don't like flying but it's the quickest way to get somewhere. He was so annoying on our flights to and from Houston.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine someone who has flown frequently like Mark has would not welcome flying if he had to. And then flying has changed so much over the years. It used to be somewhat fun to do. Now such a "pain". I hope you get to see Washington DC sometime Debby! So much history there!
Deletebetty
I see that my comment didn't go through on this one.
ReplyDeleteIt was in spam as were several other comments you left. I have no idea why Blogger does this! But because I got the email notice you had left a comment, I just went into comments on Blogger and said your comments weren't spam and then they posted on the blog. Grrrr on Blogger for doing this!!!!
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