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School is out for the summer and everyone's thoughts are turning toward vacation! After the year we have had, the wide-open road is beckoning each of us. Even though our destinations may be varied, the importance of the family vacation is more crucial than ever. Recently, my thoughts traveled back to vacations spent exploring with my parents and brother more years ago then I care to acknowledge.
Mom and Dad would pack up the station wagon, which was the size of a small tank, with a small camp stove, a cooler packed with pounds and pounds of meatloaf and various food items for the trip. Pulling off beside the road was our common method of economic dining, and a stop at a restaurant was a rare treat.
Once packed, my brother and I would climb up onto our red stools (yes, you read that correctly, we actually sat on the car seat atop a red stool so we could see out the window, car seats were not a thing) and off we went. My father was a huge lover of history so many of our trips included stops at Civil War battlefields as well as Washington D.C., Mount Vernon, Monticello and more trips to Williamsburg, Virginia than I can count.
On one memorable trip to historic Savannah, Gerogia, we set aside one day to visit the beach. I looked up from my blanket to see my father charging out of the water onto the shore. As it turns out he encountered a pod of dolphins swimming nearby and with the traumatic memory of "Jaws" still fresh in his thoughts (we had just watched it), was sure he was being attacked by sharks. This became a source of endless ribbing throughout his life, and a precious family memory.
Another iconic family story took place on the way home from Disney when I felt the undeniable urge to place my newly obtained lime-green Mickey Mouse ears onto my Dad's head just as he was navigating the Baltimore Beltway. Needless to say, we missed our exit due to the distraction, and it was all my fault, although I maintain it was the mouse ears, not me. This also became a fond memory that we often chuckled about.
I am sure you are thinking, nice stories Rhonda, but what is your point? My point is this -- use this year's vacation season to build precious memories for yourself and your family. File away these unique experiences in your family archives. These are moments in time that can never be recaptured. The love and appreciation I have for history and travel came directly from my parents and my family vacations. My Mom and Dad are both gone, but these memories are mine forever.
I continued this legacy with my children and never skipped on family vacations. As with my parents, money was not always easy to come by, but we always found a way (just without the pounds and pounds of meatloaf!). When something is that important, you always do.
So do what you must to make it happen, plan that family vacation, build those memories. It does not have to be expensive, and you do not have to go far. The important thing is that you are together, oh, and that your children have embarrassing stories to tell their children and grandchildren. To quote children's book author, Tom Lichtenheld, "A road trip is a way for the whole family to spend time together and annoy each other in interesting new places."
While you are on the road, do not forget to support local small businesses, they have had a rough year!
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Rhonda Kelley (formerly Rhonda Moore) is executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.