Family vacations are still something special
I sat on the deck watching the sun peek over the Atlantic Ocean. It was the last day of our summer vacation and I wanted just one more chance to enjoy the quiet of the morning. The ocean seemed to change colors as the sun moved through the clouds. Or was it the clouds moving across the sun?
It didn’t much matter. It was serene and calming and along with the memories of the week-long vacation, the few souvenirs and dozens of seashells, I wanted to take that moment home with me.
The family vacation was set in motion months before mid-July arrived. While in past years friends and some family members had joined together for the Outer Banks retreat, this year it was to be just family – four grandchildren ranging in age from 10 months to 4 years, five grown children that had produced the little ones, one husband, a brother-in-law and me.
Sadly missing from the core group was the son that was unable to leave his work responsibilities.
There were three contingents – two from Pennsylvania and another from Virginia – and the goal was for all to gather on Saturday, near our destination.
It was a feat trying to pack up all the necessary items for three children and seven adults from the local area into two mid-sized SUV’s.
For some time now, I have been designated as the person to pack our vehicle.
I’m not sure whether it is my innate ability to properly stack things or that no one else wants to tackle the project, but the job is routinely mine when it is time to travel.
Anyway, there I was the day before appropriately arranging four sand chairs, two children chairs and the large suitcase.
As I stood back, I could see in my mind’s eye where everything else would fit, or so I thought, until I encountered ‘everything else’ in the driveway the morning of our departure.
More bags, fishing poles, a stroller, camera bag, coolers, a box filled with paper products and a canopy sat there.
I could hear someone quietly laughing from the distance as I stood there wondering if the rear section of the car had shrunk overnight.
The canopy, however, was the only item that did not make the trip.
It was a lively trip as the 4-year-old was among our passengers.
Much of the conversation centered on Spiderman and dinosaurs – his two favorite topics for the car ride. The bear we spotted before we left Connellsville also sparked numerous inquires.
We arrived without incident although there were a few stops along the way to give everyone an opportunity to stretch their legs that had been in between diaper bags and toys throughout the trip.
Watching the little ones frolic in the water was fun. The two oldest especially enjoyed sitting at the water’s edge awaiting the next wave to hit the beach.
The two youngest, who were on their first visit, were somewhat cautious and preferred sticking to their parents.
The big event for our little Spiderman was to climb the Hatteras lighthouse.
Last year he did not meet the required height limits and was denied entrance.
He speculated beforehand that as a superhero he could climb the outside walls using his web, but we were able to convince him that the spiral staircase was in his best interest.
As the children’s grandmother, I have special privileges that include granting permission for jumping on beds. This became an all out favorite at all hours of the day for the four grandkids.
If one made it into our room, rest assured even the 10-month-old found her way and insisted that she be included in the romp.
Sometimes the raucous laughter caught the attention of the parents who popped their heads in and my son who reminded me from time to time that such behavior was not tolerated when he was that age.
Oh well.
As I sat on the porch that last morning, like the sunrise and the sounds of the waves hitting the beach, I wanted to bottle the laughter, the countless stories and the smiles to take home.
Family vacations are truly special.