<Whatcha Might Not Know are Wednesday posts that are just that…something quick that you may or may not know about me, my family, my neighborhood, my city, my world, etc.>
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Andy and I LOVE to travel. We have been blessed to have had many opportunities to go many places – both nearby and far, far away. In and out of the country. When we lived in Nashville for 2 years, we were sure to squeeze in long weekends in Memphis, Chattanooga, and Gatlinburg. Had to see the sites while we were close to them.
People always said we’d stop traveling once we had kids, but not the case. We just travel differently…choosing places for different reasons, packing differently, etc. We love exposing the kids (even at their young ages) to the idea of travel itself and to other people, places, experiences, etc.
During every vacation Andy and I ask ourselves the same question: Would we ever want a vacation home? And we keep coming up with the same answer…Nope. At least not anytime soon. We are not the type to go back to the same place year after year. When I hear someone explain that they currently spend or spent every summer at “X” location with the same people, the locals got to know them, etc. the idea tugs at me. What comfort to not have to research and plan a new vacation spot each time.
However, it’s just not for us.
Even when we visit my dad at the same spot in Florida every year, I’m always trying to find something new to do…a new restaurant, park, etc. Before kids we’d include day or side trips to places nearby – Miami, the Keys, Naples. I guess we are explorers always looking for something new to experience. But I totally get making new memories at the same old place and I think I almost envy at times other’s contentment with that.
To mark our adventures we have a HUGE map of the US (working on a World one) on a wall in our basement with our travels marked by pins. One color for places I’ve been, one color for places Andy has been, and one color for our travels together. We just had a “pinning ceremony” with the kids on Saturday when we returned from Michigan.
And you, do you enjoy the comfort of the same location? Or the chaos of planning something new?
Definitely NEW places! We took Luke back to London when he was 6 months old – which didn’t phase us in the slightest! Traveling is what we do and people think we’re crazy but we love the new experiences and feel it’s such an important learning time for kids! Thankfully, Luke’s always been our little world traveler and 12 hours in the car to Kansas last year was pretty easy for us on the whole. We also did Cape Cod last year, Gatlinburg TN this spring and Chicago next weekend along with lots of places in between! Great idea with the map!
We would never do a timeshare because we love the excitement and adventure of going to new places!
We hope to take two kids back with us to London Christmas 2012! (Keep your fingers crossed!)
-Kim
Kim – I totally agree with you. And don’t worry…all fingers and toes have been crossed for you for awhile. Hang in there!
Love the map and pinning idea! What a great way to give your love of travelbug to your kids too!