Memories of Family Vacations and Where We Would Go Again

I can’t remember exactly where we went on our first family vacation, but it was either Big Sur or the Sierra. We were a camping family, and those places were still beautiful back then, but now they are overcrowded and don’t offer the same fun. It feels like there are too many rules and too many people everywhere in California.

Camping in National Parks

Looking back, I realize my first family vacations were all about camping. We had all the gear—tents, sleeping bags, a camp stove for cooking, and we traveled by car to one of the many National Parks in the U.S. The parks were usually quite full, and there were other kids to play with. We saw a lot of the country that many people now never get to experience. The U.S. National Parks are indeed very scenic, and as a child, it was fun and exciting to be away from home.

Disney World: A Childhood Adventure

My first vacation that stands out vividly was when I was only five years old. My parents and I drove all the way from New Mexico to Orlando to visit Disney World. Along the way, we stopped in Texas to visit family and again in Biloxi, and on the fourth day, we finally got to Orlando. Back then, flights were a luxury, and cruises were small and expensive. Foreign travel was out of the question for a regular family. Yet, that trip to Disney still stands out as a pretty cool adventure, especially now as an adult who has a keen interest in gambling and science.

Adventures with a New Partner

When I got married in February in Illinois, my wife and I decided we could make Disney World our honeymoon. At 40, it seemed a perfect start for our new journey together. Since then, we’ve traveled the world, and our first true family vacation as a couple was to Pompano Beach, Florida, with my "adopted family"—her adult son and his children. We had a great time sharing that experience.

These memories of family vacations have been cherished and have evolved over time. From the scenic beauty of national parks and the excitement of camping to the magical adventures of Disney World, they have contributed to who we are today. No matter where we go, the joy and memories of those first family vacations still resonate with us.