Now is the time to recharge, relax, and make memories

A friend and I were chatting recently about some of our favorite places to visit during summer vacations past.?? The conversation took me back to the many summer trips my family took when my sons were growing up, and even after they became adults.? All are memories I still treasure today and I’m always looking ahead to what’s next.

When I was a young mom, my wise mother encouraged me to set aside time during each summer to get away with the family.? She often reminded me, whether it’s starting a family or buying a house, or simply taking a vacation, putting things off until we think we’re ready can result in missed opportunities.

So, vacation we did!? Even though summer is already here, I’m going to say what my own mom would tell you if she were still with us:? It’s not too late to plan for a family getaway!?

For the Scott family, some of our favorite summer destinations were the Eastern Sierras, the Central Coast, and road trips to National Parks.? Our trips were almost always driving vacations, taken in our beloved Suburban.

Over the course of a decade, we’d load up that SUV for some carefully researched destination, usually one that allowed us to connect with nature and recharge in a location where the night sky was brightly-lit with constellations rather than light pollution.? Places where I could wear a baseball cap rather than fixing my hair, and where it was ok if the boys’ clothes were rumpled and dirty because they were climbing rocks near a lake or hiking on a rugged trail.

Even today, my 27-year-old son Zack says hiking in Yosemite is his favorite childhood vacation memory.? That makes me smile because it’s one of my favorite memories, too.? Brisk mornings spent hiking up to Vernal Falls (and sometimes up the Mist Trail and beyond) brought great views and tired muscles that reminded us that we were alive and capable of doing the work needed to climb to new heights (literally and figuratively).?

Choosing a single favorite summer vacation memory is impossible for me. I have thousands of “perfect vacation moments”!? Some epitomize connection with family or friends; some capture the sheer the wonder of nature.? Other “perfect moments” highlight times I’ve been immersed in another culture and am reminded that my corner of the world is very small, and just a tiny piece of a much bigger puzzle.

One of my favorite moments reminds me of the relaxation element of vacation.? Why do so many of us feel almost guilty about taking time to simply relax?? I have to admit, I’ve only in recent years eased up on pre-planned vacation itineraries in order to allow time to rest and recharge.?? One of my favorite examples is the morning our family spent on Convict Lake several years ago.? The guys fished while I read and served as official photographer.? The quiet was almost deafening and it took some time for my racing mind to wind down and be still. The simple fact that I remember so well “that moment I was really relaxed” is a great example of why I should do more of it!

Thankfully, family vacations don’t have to end once our children grow up!? In fact, my grown sons are some of my favorite travel companions, whether it’s in California, or Germany, where oldest son Jake lives, or in Spain (where we’ll travel late this summer).?

After giving it some thought, creating shared memories with people I love is my favorite part of summer vacation, regardless of where we are or what we’re doing.? Whether it’s an international trip, a week in the mountains, or a long weekend at the coast, I wish you a summer of laughter, fun, and togetherness.? And relaxation, don’t forget the relaxation!