Archive for May, 2010

How often have you heard something like this? “Sure, we would love to travel, but we don’t have the time or the money to travel now. We’ll do that later, when the kids are raised or when Dad retires. ” Suddenly the kids have flown the nest and we look back with some misgivings. Should we have taken more time with the kids and done something really special as a family? Did we miss out on something genuinely valuable? Will we be able now to personally enjoy travel?

Here are some common reasons why many of us miss the value and joys of travel.

1. We sometimes postpone our own recreational travel because we feel we just can’t afford it. Often income doesn’t stretch to cover the expenses. It’s probably not a great idea usually to go into debt for a vacation; however, some would argue that point. It’s certainly not wise to dig a pit of debt so deep that we are buried alive, but some families borrow from their savings now and again to fund unforgettable family experiences.

2. The job requires much of our time. When we do get a few days or a week off for vacation, the yard and the home demand attention. The kids are playing T-ball and soccer and basketball and play in the band and. . . The results? We often wear out several minivans and SUV’s running hurry scurry from town to city and state to state, and we fail to invest our lives in travel — travel simply for the sake of enjoyment. We may be losing out on more than fun. Being busy is not always the best investment of our time.

3. Travel and vacation are not always easy. Worthwhile vacations require planning and effort. Sometimes a distant, exotic destination is not the best choice either. Half the battle is in our creativity and attitude! “Travel” does not always mean a trek across the nation or a transatlantic cruise. Travel is to decide on a destination, be it a neighboring county fair or a national shrine, and to enjoy both the journey and the destination. The travel experience may be practically in our own back yard.

4. In the final analysis we have to ask, “Is a travel vacation worth the cost and the effort now, this year? More often than not, the carefully chosen vacation probably will be fun, increase our appreciation for the world we live in, increase family unity, and engrave memories that truly last a lifetime. Travel enriches our lives with meaning, and who can place monetary value on that? Travel snatches us out of our tiny corner in this wonderful world and hurls us into the human family, and there it can perform its magic.

”That all sounds great!” you say. “But reality is reality. The bills tear holes in our bank account. The home begs a new coat of paint. We have to shell out $100 for our kids’ neighborhood party next week. And besides, it is expensive to travel! It costs a small fortune these days to fly to Florida and stay in a nice motel. ”

That is reality. Those are real demands that we encounter in the real world. However, others who do travel may have some answers. Some of those world travelers have learned travel tricks and can share some tips that will empower you to see over your backyard fence. If you dream of swimming in a blue lagoon in the company of curious dolphins or of standing on top of a 14,000 foot peak in the Rocky Mountains savoring the spectacle of hundreds of peaks and the cleanest air you’ve ever inhaled, then let’s join hands, and give substance to your dreams, and vitalize your lives and your closest relationships with travel. Check out the articles at http://www. cedarviewtravelresources. com for further information.