Catching Up

September 16, 2010

You always hear about family vacations, but it’s a little different when that family includes grown, married children and their parents. This is the kind of vacation we took this past summer, and it was definitely an experience to remember. As my husband and I climbed into my parents’ big, red van and we headed across I-70 toward the North Carolina coast, I was both excited and a bit hesitant, mostly because I hadn’t spent an entire week with my parents since I got married. The three day trip to our destination was a little bit like summer camp, though. We were crammed into a van, practically sitting on top of various bags and beach accessories, but the close quarters gave us a chance to really talk. We told stories of past vacations and shared memories of other family activities. It was a little like a mini family reunion as we got to know each other again.

Catching up with family aside, we were very grateful to see the coast as we finally arrived in Nags Head, North Carolina. We were set to stay with my aunt and uncle at a beach home they rented each year. And while there, we were going to have a real family reunion. Both of my dad’s brothers, their wives, and children stayed with us in the beach home, giving us the opportunity to have the entire family together in one place. The beach was beautiful and the lighthouses were really something to see, but the gathering together of five families was a true blessing. Yes, the car ride was extremely long and the house was a bit crowded, but how often do you get to spend quality time with family from all over the country?

So, what began with some skepticism as we drove through the Midwest became a real appreciation for my family and the chance we had to spend some time together as we gathered on the East Coast. For vacation ideas and information, check out MCPL’s family recreation titles and the Geography and Travel research databases.

Jessica S.
Colbern Road Branch