Journeys start with dreams
So here it is, the end of 2009. I have been inspired by those bloggers who have recently recapped some very cool adventures over the last year. Simultaneously, I have been nudged by Mara at Mother of All Trips to dream, as she does just about every Monday, of trips that lie ahead. Thanks to the state of California my husband now has more time to take family trips (read: furlough) and we have a tighter budget with which to do it. The trips I have half-planned in my head are countless. This just makes it more overwhelming to try to sit and plan one out that considers budget, amount of time available, bringing two young kids, etc. Where to start? I guess using some of the best traveler advice I have heard, start with what gets you most excited. So budget aside, here are some of my travel dreams plus a little bit of info I found on getting those dreams started:
Learning Vacations: The idea of bringing back something from a vacation, aside from a few extra pounds, has always thrilled me. Developing a skill while still enjoying some relaxing time is high on my list of good times. There are actually plenty to choose from; you could learn a sport (I have located sailing and surfing camps), do arts and crafts (like pottery or even blacksmithing) but the one that got me drooling was cooking. Now of course there are opportunities to learn Italian cooking while in Italy but going back to that budget bubble, I have scoped out a place not too distant from where I live: The Philo Apple Farm. Imagine sleeping under the apple trees in the orchard, then heading to the kitchen to cook up the ingredients that have been picked that morning, then relaxing with a glass of wine in the afternoon before learning how to create exquisite dinner cuisine to be shared among newly made friends. Sounds like heaven to me.
RV Camping through beautiful state parks: I remember as a kid rolling my eyes at the idea of rv-ing with my family when my dad had once suggested it. Paying no attention to my protests, he learned to regret the trip that crammed two teenage girls and a wife prone to migraines into a small powder keg on wheels. You would think from that experience I would stay far away from motor homes, but the lure of driving the family from one national park to another must be in the genes. The lesson I take from that trip is to do it before the kids are old enough to need lots of space away from the parents. Cruise America is one of the largest RV rental companies. Their main hub is in Phoenix, AZ so there are often “hot deals” where you can drive an RV from one city to Phoenix or from Phoenix to a city for a reduced rate. Here’s a tip: the ones coming into Phoenix are often coming in to be refurbished, and the ones leaving Phoenix are already refurbished and ready to go back onto someone’s lot. If you are considering this, I’d go for starting your trip in Phoenix. photos credit: Martin Leuven
Cruises: I have to admit, I am on a list-serve that constantly sends me email of the latest cruise deals. Not that I have plans to go, but it keeps the dream alive. Come on, you get to visit several destinations without having to pack and unpack, fabulous meals are plentiful, and most cruise lines offer activities for kids so that they are having fun while you are relaxing. What’s not to like? Ever since reading Amy’s post at the Q Family Adventures on her family’s Disney cruise I have been determined to make this happen for us too. Recently I found an offer by Disney Cruise Line where kids sail free to the Bahamas from January through April 15th. Another idea is river cruising, which is gaining popularity very quickly. The boats are smaller so it offers a more intimate experience (no huge lines to disembark at each port) and river ships are able to dock in the center of most towns, getting you right from your ship to the heart of a new city.
San Juan Islands, WA: This was a short stopover on our way to our honeymoon many years ago, and my husband and I often dream of returning. What stands out most was the beauty and peacefulness where we stayed at Point No Point. It may be a different experience traveling family-style instead of just the two of us, but there is still a lot to do: fabulous tide-pools, whale-watching, kayaking, etc. I tend to be drawn more toward active vacations than lounging vacations, but if there was a destination I’d start with to clear my head, this would be the place. photo credit: Ellen Perlman @ Boldly Go Solo 
I love the idea of learning vacation!!! Hmm.. RV camping is also on one of my dream as well..
Thanks for the link to my cruise post. I am still dreaming about doing another cruise. It’s just very addictive.
Hope you will have a great travel year ahead in 2010.
Great post, Lora.
You know I’m familiar with the “have time, but no money…and two small kids.”
Anyway, Paul and I got married in Apple Hill, right there in an apple orchard and next to wineries. It will come as no surprise that I’m especially intrigued by this Philo Apple Farm.
The cruises, not so much. I traveled to Mexico on a cruise ship when I graduated from college, and I spent 7 days completely sick. However, that was…a long time ago…ahem. So maybe I would be better now.
CA is so screwed up…shows how strong the family bond can be, considering our yearning to get back there.
@ Amys re: cruising: I had a stereotype in my head of cruising being for the retired crowd. Once I tried it, though, I was hooked. My husband also gets easily seasick, so we worried about making a cruise our honeymooon destination, but he felt fine the whole way. Hopefully things have gotten better from your Mexico trip. (Or maybe you were referring to the food/spirits)
CA economy may be screwed up right now, but our weather rocks.
LOL, we were an RVing family when I was growing up, oh the memories. But little did I know that all that “torture” would help me grow to love traveling and be comfortable brushing my teeth in front of complete strangers.
Oh, and the San Juan islands are tops on my list. Hope to make it there in the next couple of year.s