"One of my favorite things is to go where I've never been"
~Diane Arbus
Growing up, my family was always on the go. If there was the slightest little reason to travel, we did it! We went to every family reunion, wedding, funeral, tourist destination, educational museum; it was amazing. We would pile in the van with a stack of books, books on tape, and enough snacks to feed the whole state, and off we would go.
Once we hit 10 states in 10 days...stopping only to do the tourist things. Heaven forbid if we had to stop too often to use the restroom. Once we were on a mission, nothing would detour us. I got to where the moment I would get in the van, surrounded by the grey walls and leather, I would just immediately fall asleep. You think I'm kidding but it's the honest truth. =)
My parents took the job of homeschooling us kids very seriously. We would spend hours at science museums, historical monuments, war reenactments on old battlefields, national parks and forests, aquariums, and every other venue that could be considered "educational". I think we learned more on vacation than we did the entire school year (and that's saying a lot)! We kids would moan "nooooo.....not another civil war museum" or "mom, we can't take another educational thing on this trip".
Even though when I was growing up, I wasn't always excited about leaving town and missing church and parties, today, I'm extremely thankful. My parents worked extra hard to broaden our horizons and expand our little minds to think outside of our little southern culture.
So this is what is to blame for my infection of the travelling bug. =) In my 20 years on earth, I've been to 41 of the United States. I've also been to Canada, Mexico, Japan, Botswana, South Africa, England, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and Germany.
4 comments:
The good ole days...you described them well dear sister. Looking back I wish I would have committed more of that stuff to memory. There have been many times a topic would come up in conversation....about a place we have traveled. And I just think....I know I learned all about that, why can't I remember the details? I guess my young mind didn't realize the importance of what we were doing. Mom and Dad definitely did their part to show us around and expose us to different people and cultures.
hahah!! I would say you have traveled!! What great childhood memories!! I remember sharing a few with you guys....lake trips..& such! I can't imaging your mom not having a ton of food!! I hope I can build those kinds of memories in my children.
lv u,
kim
What an inspirational post, Amber. The head of our homeschool group and I were talking and she said if we werent having fun HSing then we werent doing something right. So we have been doing a lot wrong!!( I am going to do better!) I cant imagine your parents ever wanting to change one thing about the way they raised you three. You are some exemplary kids and I can only pray that mine will turn out like you all!! Travelling is so much fun! Love you!
I couldn't see where to leave a comment on your new post... so I came down here!
Glad you are home from San Fran! Looks like you had a great trip!It thrills my soul to see you having fun with such good friends!
lv u,
kim
Post a Comment