I bought a decorative sign once that said, "A wise man travels to discover himself." It's become one of my anthems in life. I grew up in a large family, on a tight budget. Vacations were usually a three hour drive to visit grandparents in Vicksburg,MS, a few road trips to Fort Worth, TX to stay with family friends, and trips to wherever my aunt happened to be living at the time in Kentucky. There were a few long weekends, as I got older, that I'd call family getaways. There wasn't money in the budget for week long yearly travel. Yet, even as a kid, listening to Daddy tell stories of being an over the road trucker, the gypsy soul seed was planted in me. As a teenager, I'd planned to travel the world, once I left home. Once grown, the reality of being a young mother and trying to keep a roof over our heads became a top priority. Yet, I still found time and money to explore, by car, with my young son strapped in the back seat. We'd visit friends in Louisiana, family in Vicksburg, and a childhood friend who moved to middle Tn. Once, with a friend, we ended up in Iowa, drove all the way across the state.
Until my son was five years old, I never went anywhere without him. In 2006, I bought a plane ticket to San Diego, C.A., to visit my brother who had recently moved to Southern California. I left my son for the weekend with my sister and off I went to see the West. It was truly a wonderful trip! California had been on my list since I was a child, hearing stories of my Daddy as a young Marine. I explored the desert both alone and with my brother. I ate great food, met some awesome people, and came home more determined than ever to see America. I made myself a promise that every few years, even if I got married and had more children, I would take time for myself to travel. I got myself a passport, determined to fill it up.
I've been fortunate, in the past twelve years to feed my inner gypsy. Last year, 2017, was a record year for me in traveling. From mid May to the end of June, I drove from Memphis to Brawley, C.A., then down to the Baton Rouge, L.A. area, then up to Northern, K.Y I wasn't home much. Then in October, we took a family cruise to the Bahamas. Literally going coast to coast, and even out of the country twice in one year was truly a dream come true. I'm thankful for the financial help of others, including my mother and hard working husband, that gave me the ability to do that. The only trip my kids weren't with me was the cross country trek. What a trek it was!
Traveling has showed me how people eat, all over this diverse country of ours. We choose to stick with local places on our adventures, to both eat like locals and expand our pallets. Some of the best Italian food I've ever eaten is in Deming, N.M. It's a map dot, not too far from the Mexican, Texas, New Mexico border. I can taste the marinara to this day. When I returned from California, I brought home Mexican pastries, vanilla, and though purchased at a grocery store, homemade fresh tortillas, made in house. On our Carnival cruise, my younger son discovered he loved salmon eggs benedict.
I think, in order to fully envelope yourself in whatever local area you happen to be visiting, eating local helps that. You bring home a taste, and the memory of excellent meals, and hope to replicate it in your own kitchen. With your children, cooking something they especially liked on vacation, helps them also remember. It keeps the conversation going around your home table. You discuss what you ate wherever you were. Then plot your next family adventure.
I read an article recently about how it's more important to travel with your kids, than buying expensive toys. I fully agree with that. My kids love a big breakfast cooked over a campfire, they love fresh seafood from whatever coastal place we're visiting, and they carry that with them. Travel, with your kids, shows them there's more to life than where you happen to call home. It, hopefully, will help them develop into more tolerant and accepting adults as well.
Travel can get expensive, that's the most common excuse I hear among my peers. "Well, we simply can't afford it." I say you can! You spend your money on what you want to. I choose to shop thrift stores and cook primarily at home. That way we can stash a few extra for our next trip. Until last year, our family vacations have been camping trips. It's such a fun affordable way to visit new places. I married into a camping family, learned so much, and now love it. Road trips, like mine last year, were to visit with friends and family. Having a free place to stay really helps with the bottom line. Now that my kids are older, we've discovered cruising. In fact, last year it was cheaper to take a five day cruise, than paying for five nights at a Gulf Coast hotel. {I also hear, "Well, my spouse won't go to XYZ." My reply, with respect to their relationship is, "Go without them! Load those kids up and head out!"}
I know I've gotten long winded. My point is, don't limit yourself to the same spots every single year. Yes, go to the beach. Trek up into the mountains, just change the view. This world is a big place. There are amazing people everywhere you go. There's great food to be had in so many tiny map dots you may find yourself in. Look farther than those golden arches. Stop in at a local diner. Meet locals. Bring that experience home to your own kitchen. Get a passport, for yourself and kids. Over age, I think fifteen, they last ten years. We're already booked on another cruise, to Mexico next year, as a family. This time, Nana, my Mom, is going too. Try something new. See it all!
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