My Decision to Say Yes to Loading Up and Heading Out on a Road Trip!! 2022 – The Year of Finding You
Spring Break this year was initially supposed to be a week for the family to chill at the house and do nothing in particular. Boy, did our plans change.
Why give in?
I guess I should first say that it was really my idea to stay home. My children are just like any other children; they love going on new adventures. But they are also fine with hanging out when the time calls for it. This is where our normal situation took a drastic turn. Being a wanderer at heart, I love exploring new locations and seeing what the world has to offer. But after a very busy year, I felt like the rest of the family probably would want to spend the week at home. That’s where my husband comes in. He is usually the one that is fine being at home 24/7 and doesn’t feel the constant pull to leave Kentucky. He kept mentioning that he would be open to taking the kids somewhere for Spring Break. Then I had an epiphany; my husband almost died last year. We need to TAKE THE D@#N TRIP and make the memories.
Picking a Destination
Picking our destination was the biggest task of our trip. After some careful deliberation, we landed on Texas. My mantra is always to visit somewhere I’ve never been before. So Texas was a state that I had yet to step foot in and an experience I had yet to have. After picking a state, it was another task to narrow down the exact city we planned to spend our time in. Knowing that I had several friends that either called the Lonestar State home or were regular visitors, I asked for their input. After many suggestions, we opted for Houston. And man, were we ever pleased with our choice. Our only regret with our trip was that it wasn’t longer. Now seeing the vast area that Houston covers, we know that it is not something that can be properly covered in four and a half days.
That is another lesson we have slowly learned about when planning trips. Take into account how long you think you will need to thoroughly explore a new location and then add at least a day or so to that total. I promise, regardless of where you visit, the extra time will not be a disappointment.
Why Traveling is So Important to Me
Some people live their entire life without traveling much, if at all. I know a majority of my childhood was spent that way. Yes, I have to admit, I grew up until my middle school years in sunny Florida, followed by a move to Tennessee. But during those childhood years, the traveling we did was back and forth between the two states to visit family. As a child of the 80s, I know that my childhood is probably pretty standard amongst the masses, but as an adult in the new Millennium, I want to give my children these experiences. I want them to know that there are other people out there, other cultures, other cuisines, and just experiences that can’t be had at home.
And while I’m feeling philosophical, take the pictures. I know everyone says to just live in the moment, and I do absolutely encourage living in the moment. But I also know the importance of taking photos for memories sake. People come and go in your life, sometimes by your choosing and sometimes not, as what almost happened to our family. Photos are something that can be cherished for generations to come. And to go along with my many photos taken along our trip, a solid photo album to keep them in.
Do you like to travel or road trip? Where is your favorite location, or maybe the location at the top of your bucket list? Do you have any advice for others when picking out a destination? Drop your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section down below!
