When it comes to travel my philosophy is best summed up by St. Augustine. He said, "the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." While it is true that there are several places that I have not yet had the desire to travel to, the list of places to go gets longer daily. This list would be much more manageable if I didn't have my favorites.... but I HAVE to fit those in.
So, here in no particular order, are my favorite places to travel. These are places that I've been and that I plan on returning to again.
- Oregon Coast - As mentioned in a previous post, someday I will have a beach house. I have spent many weeks in Oregon with family over my lifetime and I will forever love it. I love walking along the water, the sound of the waves lapping against the sand. I love to look for shells and rocks and keep waiting to someday find my perfect Sand Dollar. I love to watch the kites in the air, the small touristy shops that sell wonderful things like fudge. I love to watch the fishing boats come in and out and have fond memories of the Sea Lion caves (although I have been told that my perception may be skewed by age on this one.) More than anything, I love the diverse geography along the coast and the peace and quiet I feel when I'm there. Can't wait to go back.
- Disney World - Obviously anyone who knows my family, knows we love Disney. As we are landlocked in Utah, it is amazing that we go as often as we do. But, I can say that it never gets boring. I have never once gone and wished that my vacation was over sooner. Matt and I often discuss the major things that have happened in our lives while at Disney. It was the first trip we took together (with my family before his mission.) We spent our honeymoon there. We decided while on a trip there in 1999, that just maybe we might be ready to have a kid or two. We have weathered storms there (literal and figurative), had sick kids (oh, the stories) and spent time with friends and families. We have lost loved ones while we were there, and there's not a trip that goes by that I don't remember my Uncle Dave. We are headed back this week with my family; it's always a bit crazy. We all kind of go in different directions, but still try to keep the cousins together as much as possible. We will eat meals, run races, take pictures and eat popcorn. I will sit back and watch my parents revel in the presence of their grandchildren and think to themselves that all the years they wanted to kill us but didn't were worth it. Our time in Disney World is magical and yes, there may be times in the future that we choose to vacation elsewhere. But for now, this is a place that we all enjoy and that we can all look forward to with eagerness.
- Gettysburg, PA - Just as we are Disney nuts, we are also nutty when it comes to the Civil War. As a kid, while friends spent summers at Lake Powell or Bear Lake, we would fly back east and drive through the Mid-Atlantic looking at battlefields and museums. Funny thing is, I don't ever remember not loving it. Over the last ten years or so, my family has joined my parents and my brothers in a (mostly) annual pilgrimage to Gettysburg and the High Water Mark of the Civil War. My dad and brother Ben spend time learning all there is to learn about the Civil War, and the rest of us enjoy the rolling hills, Mr. G's ice cream, fireflies, historic buildings, and seeing the battlefield. My kids love climbing in "the castle" at Little Round Top and love exploring the hidden parts of Devil's Den. The cemetery is an awesome sight and we have learned that there are a multitude of ticks just waiting to jump on little kids for a ride. We have been lucky enough to rent a large home on the outskirts of town and the kids love spending time with their cousins, watching movies, playing games and just generally being together. I love to look over the battlefield in the morning, as the mist sits in the valley. The soundtrack from the movie Gettysburg always plays in my mind, as well. All in all, a place I draw on frequently when I feel a need for peace.
- Wales - Although I have not traveled there extensively, I LOVE it! The same could be said for nearly the whole of England as well. I have been fortunate enough to accompany Matt on some of his work trips there and have loved the sights, the smells and the history that you can soak up on the streets. I loved Cardiff this past summer, but also enjoyed our little trip to the seaside town of Llandudno in 2009. The beauty of the sea and the pastoral quality of the land is mesmerizing. I will definitely be returning in the future.
- Cancun, Mexico - I have been there twice, but dream of going back nearly all winter, every year. Specifically, I am in love with the JW Marriott and the fun times we have had in the pools and on the beaches. Matt served his mission in Mexico, and while we have seen much of the Yucatan peninsula (and I would like to see much more,) I cherish *snicker* the carefree feelings of being on the beach. We are able to spend time as a couple and I love to listen to Matt speak Spanish. This area has a calming effect on Matt and is just a great place for down time together. Can't wait to go back.
- Road Trips - while not specifically "a place," I love being on the open road with my family. We have traveled to Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Yellowstone and all along the road to Ohio. We have jumped off from Chicago and spent time in Wisconsin, traveled from Boston to Maine, from Pennsylvania to Virginia and throughout the South. Strangely enough, we have never driven our kids to California. I would love to take the kids and drive to Northern California to see the Redwoods and to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore. I wouldn't mind a drive along the California coast or spending time in the Carolinas.
There are probably dozens of other places I could list as "favorites" but these are the main ones. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to see so many places and look forward to seeing many new places in the future.
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