The holidays are a bittersweet, nostalgic time for me.  Time with family, my annual cookie party with my group of girlfriends.   Cozy gatherings with yummy treats, Christmas music and laughter.  In many ways it’s one of my favorite times of year.

It’s also a reminder of loved ones who have passed and join us in spirit now.  How special they always made the holidays for us all.  Tia in her all-red Christmas best, walking through the door with her beautiful hat and even more beautiful smile, pound cake in hand.  Grandma in her plaid holiday pantsuit, like a festive sprig of holly, grinning widely and giving big hugs after her drive from Lindsay.  Ready to make gravy and beat me at cards.

I’m thankful this season, as I am every year, for family.  Our health, the joys (and even sadness) we’ve shared over the years and the unforgettable memories.  Some of my favorite moments with family are of our travel adventures.  As we welcome another Thanksgiving holiday this week, I invite you to take a trip down memory lane with me.

Road Trip!!

The family road trip- an iconic travel experience that is usually equal parts fun and drama.  My earliest travel memory is of road trips to my grandma’s house in Lindsay, California.  Mom gently waking me up when it was dark, tucking me in my sleeping bag in our blue Volvo.  Waking up hours later in the country, seemingly a world away from San Francisco.   Running through rows of orange trees, playing with my cousins, finding tadpoles, swimming.  Going to the pancake breakfast and the Orange Blossom parade.  Glimpses of small town life, for little city girls.

From the country town of Lindsay to the Sierra Nevada mountains, where we visited family at Sorensen’s.  Braving the curvy roads and KT’s car sickness, we’d make the 7,000 foot climb up the mountain.  Running through creeks, doing our version of rain dances in the summer and sledding in the winter.

Welcome to the Big Apple

When I was 12 and KT was 7, Mama and Aunt Nancy came up with the road trip to end all road trips.  New York to California.  Seven people, one station wagon.  What could possibly go wrong? 

Right out of the gate, KT, Mama and I got stuck at LaGuardia airport for 5+ hours waiting to get picked up after our flight from San Francisco.   Apparently there was a mix up.  We were at LaGuardia, my aunt went to JFK.   KT is sobbing, she’s convinced we are lost.  Mom is mad.  It’s 1988.  There are no cell phones.  So we wait, for the station wagon with my aunt and cousins to find us in New York traffic, at the right airport.  Thanks family.  Let the fun begin??

My memories of this trip are a collage of random, mostly humorous moments.  My older cousin Jennifer learning to drive on this epic road trip, with her mom shouting, “Slow DOWN, Jennifer!” every two minutes (no pressure).  Mama’s attempt at a New York accent (really bad).  Hearing the newly released, Parents Just Don’t Understand, introducing the world to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince on every radio station from New York to California.  The only song all the cousins could agree we loved.  I was otherwise tortured across several states by endless country music.

The rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming; flying roaches in Nebraska, countless hotel swimming pools.  Being pulled over by the sheriff in Missouri for ‘stealing gas’ (my cousin accidentally gave the wrong pump number), of course while Jennifer was driving.  I’ll never forget her throwing things out of her purse looking for her driver’s permit, my aunt convinced she’d been pulled over for speeding.  30 years later, it still makes me laugh.  Priceless.

Girls Trip!?!

The Happiest Place on Earth

My earliest girls trips were with my mom, sister and grandma- to Disneyland.  Sunny summer days in Southern California with spinning tea cups and Mickey Mouse, warm summer nights lit up by the Electric Parade.   KT pulled from the crowd one year by Merlin himself to pull the sword from the stone; the picture of her grinning wrapped in a red royal cape, crown on her head, framed at the top of our stairs for years to come.

From Alaska to The Lower 48

As KT and I grew up, the trips grew with us, celebrating milestones and introducing us to new places.  We made the trek to Alaska to see my newly married (19 year old?!) best friend.  Visiting glaciers, enjoying the balmy ‘summer weather’ in Alaska, (a toasty 58 degrees) in puff jackets.  Mama slowing the car and rolling my window down so I could get a picture of the moose emerging from the woods (He’s huge Mama, hit the gas!?!).  Mama staying awake until past 11pm watching Law & Order with us (her bedtime has been 9pm my whole life) delighted it was still light outside.

C’mon Big Money

A trip to Reno with Tia for my 21st birthday to try my luck gambling- with Tia sneaking KT into the casino and letting her pull the handle on the slots.  I won $40 playing Keno, KT won $150.  Go figure.

Sunsets in Sayulita

As adults, my family has continued our adventures.  Our favorite destination in recent years has been Sayulita– even spending Thanksgiving there a few years ago.  It was awesome- except for the actual dinner.  The turkey was fine but dressing doesn’t translate well as a Mexican dish.  Food aside, the time with my parents, sister and extended family was the perfect holiday.

Making Memories

Looking back inevitably makes me think about the future.  Flipping through albums has inspired me to plan our next grand adventure.  Mama, who in her heart is 50% Irish (more like 25% on paper), has always wanted to make the trip to Ireland.  I’d love to plan that trip; marching her into a pub in Dublin with her green eyes twinkling sounds like another unforgettable moment just waiting to happen.  Also, having her order wine in an Irish pub sounds like my next belly laugh waiting to happen.

Family First

It’s apparent that my love for travel was instilled early on.   Inspired by my mom’s curiosity and adventurous spirit and Grandma, the family historian and photographer, who managed to capture  moments and fill albums that spark nostalgia and remind us all of all the places we’ve been… together.  I realized this afternoon, as I looked through albums that this blog is my way of recording pieces of history too.  The moments and misadventures that bring laughter and joy of moments past back with a rush of emotion.  I feel so grateful; what a great blessing to have so many memories so full of love.

What are some of your favorite family travel memories?

Wishing you all a blessed and beautiful holiday season with your loved ones!