If you're a regular here, you know my family travels ....
and travels...and travels.
Each summer, another area of the country gets explored and hiked and
photographed and enjoyed and camped and memory-ed!
In addition to the general fun that each of these journeys provides,
we have realized over the years that our travel experiences
have enriched our lives in deep, meaningful ways,
which I'd love to share!
~ 1 ~
The educational value of travel is without equal.
Every September, when my kids crack open their history
and geography books, they begin a tally of all the places we've visited.
In fact, most of the time they literally cannot find any
photos in their books of historic sites that we have not explored.
How's our world perspective,
our knowledge of US and world geography
our level of interest in American history from our early Native Americans
to the present time, our understanding of the nation's political system -
its origin, development and leaders?
Phenomenal.
And that's not due to some magical curriculum
or terrific textbook...or even an amazing teacher
As their homeshcool mom of twelve years,
I'd like to take credit, but no.
When you live it, you learn it.
Truth.
~ 2 ~
The family that travels together, stays together.
We have no formula for harmony on our trips.
In fact, there have been times in which we've strongly strongly
considered turning around....whether a few hundred
or a few thousand miles out of the driveway.
But we stuck it out.
And with no downtime, no personal space,
sometimes even while taking that hike,
roasting those marshmallows or
driving that day's mileage to the next stop.
You get past it and you all aquire
a little more patience and humility with each other.
Because life is at least trying to dodge those curve balls with grace.
And there's not much that's more important than
time with family, set against the backdrop of our great country.
~ 3 ~
Travel builds self esteem and confidence.
When I was fourteen, I took two buses and a subway to high school.
I learned how to navigate mass transit in the New York City boroughs,
whether I wanted to or not.
whether I wanted to or not.
It's the same with any situation we're thrown into, right?
If you can set a course across the country,
( and no fair using GPS!!!!) you can do anything.
I mean it.
My kids have been able to read maps and road signs,
calculate distances and choose the best route to our destination
since they were tiny.
calculate distances and choose the best route to our destination
since they were tiny.
Add to that, setting up and breaking down a tent,
lighting and cooking over a campfire AND packing personal, cooking, travel,
vehicle and camping essentials.
vehicle and camping essentials.
~ 4 ~
Travel teachers you how to deal with adversity.
Despite the perfect pictures we share,
it's not all sunshine and rainbows out there on the road.
it's not all sunshine and rainbows out there on the road.
You'll undoubtedly encounter certain misfortunes
such as inclement weather, traffic accidents,
family illness, auto breakdown ( and mom breakdown!)
Not to mention many lesser inconveniences.....
such as needing to hit the supermarket because local wild life devoured
the food you thought you packed away safely overnight!
Yes, it's happened !
When you can deal with life's obstacles on the road,
you can deal with anything.
~ 5 ~
The people you meet on the road
enrich your life unquantifiably!
And you never know when you'll meet them.....
It could be on the shore of The Great Salt Lake,
on the buffet line at that cowboy chuck wagon supper in South Dakota
or even while paying for gas in the middle of nowhere, Oregon.
One conversation with one person is all it takes to change your
perspective, broaden your horizon or enlighten your viewpoint.
My kids said, way back when they were small,
that they felt "sad" for children who don't get to travel they way they do.
And this was not after an amazing hike to see the sunrise over the Grand Canyon.
It was after a lengthy conversation in the parking lot of a KOA
with a fascinating family who could not have been more different than us
as we were pulling out to head into Yosemite for the day.
And, hey, before you tell me that you cannot afford to travel~~
hold that thought!
It saddens me greatly to hear that people with a wanderlust
fear the expense of a trip.
There are practical steps you can take r-i-g-h-t n-o-w to get
planning and get out the door with your family to explore
the natural and historic jewels of America!
I'm not an expert in much, but on this, yes...so take my advice, okay?
Here you go~
5 Tips to Frugally Taking That Cross Country Trip!
And if you've a minute and would like to peruse some of our journeys,
I'm happy to join the weekly #5faves linkup
at The Koala Mom and Baby Stylista!
Please click over to peruse many bloggers' favorites...
thank you for stopping over and
spending some of your precious time
here at my home on the web!
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Until next time,
~Chris
