Vacation Dreams

For years, I felt guilty about the fact that I didn't take my kids on the dream Disney vacation.  I suppose, on some level, that it has to do with the fact that my parents took us to Disney every year for most of my childhood, even if it meant going broke to do so.  I suppose it's because so many people talk about their Disney vacations and how magical it really was.  I suppose it's because I know how much Disney works to completely envelope you in the amazing experience at their parks.

But I'm not willing to go broke for Disney.

Look, I don't think that people that embark on the journey are bad people.  If you can afford it and that's what floats your boat, fantastic! It's a great place to spend vacation time and get to truly enjoy the magic that it brings to every visitor that walks in the door.  For me, though, I'm more inclined to want to take my kids to see Mount Rushmore.  Instead of riding the Dumbo ride, I want my kids to ride a zipline that shows them incredible scenery or to see orcas swimming in the wild.  I want my kids to see the deserts and the oceans.  I want my kids to see the Grand Canyon and the bayou.  I want my kids to see everything there is to see.  Why?

Because, for me, I've decided that a vacation is more about the time spent and the life experience gained than the money spent.  It's more about seeing their faces in awe of the size of a mountain than it is in awe of a cartoon character.  It's more about seeing them climb a 14er than it is to wait in line for hours to ride Splash Mountain.  It's more about hearing them talk about gigantic corn fields in the Midwest than it is to hear them talk about the ghosts in the Haunted Mansion.  Are those theme park attractions awesome?  Of course!  But I want my kids to learn to respect nature and appreciate the beautiful country that we live in.

My dream vacation  has changed, I guess.  Instead of dreaming of going to all of the Disney parks, I'd rather take my kids on vacations to see every single state in our beautiful country.  I'd rather take them to see the sights and learn what makes this country so great.  I'd rather them see battlegrounds and landmarks.  I'd rather them learn about this amazing place that we live.

Now to be able to afford it.....