I have always loved to travel. My parents always encouraged us to be curious and explore new places. In the days before internet, my Mom would go to the library and research vacation options, spending hours on the phone learning about new locations and trip possibilities for our family of four. We camped in our VW van and visited Cedar Point, King’s Island and Sea World. We went to the World’s Fair, Washington D.C. and an unforgettable 2 week trip out West. As a grown woman, I still remember these trips fondly, and speak of them to my own children often. These times were memory making at it’s finest and fueled my desire to travel with my own family in the future.

We didn’t wait long hitting the road once we started having children. We took yearly trips to Florida in the mini van – I could write a book about all the lessons we learned with babies and toddlers on the open road! As they grew, I created bags of activities for them including clipboards that they could color on, and cookie sheets they could use with magnets. I read chapter books out loud and we searched for specific things out the windows to help the time pass – red cars, tall buildings, etc. We stopped at rest stops and had races to get the wiggles out, and grabbed ice cream to boost morale when the road seemed endless. Some of our favorite family memories happened on those excursions. We laugh harder every time a story is remembered.

At this point, we are still traveling. We returned yesterday from two days of hiking at one of our favorite State Parks in Ohio. It was just the two of us, and we are truly enjoying the opportunities to just get up and GO. Two to three day trips are becoming my favorite. It’s the perfect amount of time to sneak away from reality without breaking the bank or creating a mountain of “catch up” upon your return. We love the fall and find that it is perfect for these trips. The colors of the leaves, falling temperatures, and need for some rest before the busy holiday season can almost guarantee a memorable trip. Planning a fun getaway doesn’t require lots of money or time, just a desire to explore and an idea of what sounds “good” to you – sight seeing, tours, adventure, or a stack of book and hours to enjoy them.

In the end, I highly recommend getting in the car and taking off. It doesn’t have to be far away. The next town over could offer more fun than you ever imagined. Fill your tank, grab some snacks, type the address into your map app and hit it! There are ALWAYS new places to go – and there’s also something to be said for going to a favorite location over and over (and over). Pack a bag and have it at the ready so you have no excuses when a fun opportunity arises. A change of scenery is good for the soul. Choose a location and go explore!