Journey

I have the travel bug, to be fair our southern trips were always planned this time of year. When I was a child, summer we went to New Brunswick and then when our kids were children we always went to Ontario. Then when my girls were teens, we would go to Maine on shopping trips. Finally we planned the ultimate trip to Florida! We drove, it is approximately 30 hours, depending on who you talk to, you drive through I think it was 14 states. Our kids were 10,13,14 and 16. We had a portable dvd player for our van. We stopped in New York and Georgia for the night on the way down, it had it’s pros and cons and I wouldn’t change a thing. I was sold on the south after that. Skip winter! Yes!

The first time we did the south kid free it was Vegas, we flew and rented a car and drove to the Grand Canyon and Hoover damn. While away on that trip we planned another trip less than a month after for Mexico! Both trips were planned without a travel agent, and we went with friends. We made mistakes, didn’t know anything about checking bags or airport transfers. Vegas not such a big deal but not having a ride to the resort after landing in Mexico was a huge safety concern and ended up being quite expensive. We learned about airline food and airport food. Layovers, VIP, online check in, and how to pack! We did Mexico again a few years later. Such a beautiful place, beach is incredible and the food is outstanding.

Our last two trips were solo, Cuba and Dominican Republic. Dominican was just before Covid crippled the world, well my world and it was a relaxation holiday just to sit in the sand or pool and dance and sleep, we did it and did it well! We actually had an additional holiday planned to go to Vegas again that was cancelled with the Covid crisis. Now Cuba was my favourite, we went on several excursions. Jeep through the countryside, swimming in an underground lake, speed boat up the river. The food was more conservative but there is an embargo with USA, so not all things are available. I felt the safest in Cuba of all the places we had been and they love Canadians! It had the most incredible beach, white sand and we spent a day walking to the tip of Veradarro and back, the water was the most amazing colour. By far the busiest trip, but so nourishing for our souls! We talked about going south this year, but we will wait an additional year and then go. We will still vacation just not south. I think summer will be here soon this year!