Our family travel in 2010

I had originally thought I might write a post about my favorite trips of 2010. But when I started to look back on all of the amazing things we did, I realized I’m not sure I have a favorite. Our experiences were so diverse in both climate and activity that to pick just one as a favorite seemed unfair. So I decided instead to offer you an overview of where we went in 2010 – and a preview of what’s to come next year.

January brought two amazing family travel opportunities – the chance to visit the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas with Teddy and also a trip to Mad River Glen in Vermont where Tommy, Teddy, and Matt all learned to ski on the mountain where I took my first run nearly thirty years ago.

In April we made the most of a few days in Los Angeles at the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Petersen Automotive Museum, and the Page Museum; then we headed for Phoenix (almost running out of gas in the Sonoran Desert thanks to me).

In June I turned 40 in the backseat of HomeAway’s Griswold Family Truckster while Tommy and I explored Virginia Beach and Colonial Williamsburg.

July saw us flying to England for a week in London followed by a week traveling around southeastern England from Bath to Oxford to Windsor (and yes I still haven’t written about all of it – good thing I’m not giving up blogging in 2011).

We spent our customary three weeks in Vermont in August. I’m so grateful for the time we’ve spent there as a family. Although we plan to continue visiting every summer, it will be different with my father gone. I’m so glad now that I never passed up an opportunity to go there with the boys – we share a connection to the place that will never diminish.

In September we enjoyed three sunny days in Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island. The pink and white beaches of the Gulf Coast were a revelation.

And this week we are once again skiing at Mad River where I will be sure to pay appropriate tribute to the photo of my father and stepmother that hangs in the base lodge.

And in between all of these many journeys, we of course spent lots of time enjoying what the area around where we live has to offer. From the Delaware Children’s Museum to the Choo Choo Barn in Lancaster to the Petersen Urban Wildlife Refuge we took in lots of MidAtlantic fun.

So what’s next? Since my father was ill this fall, it was difficult to make travel plans for 2011, and at the moment they are still sketchy. But I will tell you this: I’ve got a running list and a number of surprises up my sleeve. My goals for 2011 include much more exploration of the Midatlantic region including the Eastern Shore area of the Chesapeake. I’d also like to get the boys into Philadelphia more often. I’m thinking about a family vacation in Boston and Cape Cod. There will definitely be much more about downhill skiing with kids this winter. And I’m toying with the idea of taking a solo vacation with Matt (we haven’t had one since the beginning of 2008).

I hope that you’ve enjoyed following our adventures in 2010 and I promise that 2011 will be full of even more stories, photos, tips, plans, and dreams.

Please feel free to share your own favorite family travel memories from 2010 or any plans you have for 2011 in the comments below – I’d love to see where you’ve been and where you are going! And a very Happy New Year to you and yours.