This family of four hit the high spots of Italy with their teens, and especially relished every moment of Venice where they used the waterways to explore and shop.
Italy. Just mention that you are going on vacation to Italy and people get that dreamy look in their eyes. Everybody loves Italy. What’s not to love: the art, the food, the scenery, the people…it’s all amazing. In Italy you get as much from just walking around looking high and low as you do in the famous museums. Don’t try to do it all, but take in all that you do.
And so we learned on our recent visit there. Here is my account of Venice.
Ah…Venice
Our first stop was Venice, a city that none of us had ever been to before. What’s great about Venice is that once you get on the boat from the airport to your hotel, your vacation begins with a waterside tour of the city. We grabbed a map in the airport so we could get our bearings before touching land. Unfortunately, the weather was cold and rainy when we arrived so we huddled up inside the boat, looking out the foggy windows. Fortunately, the only rain we saw on the whole trip was that first day.
Exiting the boat at Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) — the heart of Venice — we wheeled our suitcases over cobblestone streets and several bridges till we came to our wonderful, very centrally located Best Western Hotel Ala (San Marco, 2494- Campo S.M. del Giglio, 30124; +39 041 520833), which meant we got lots of Best Western points. The next morning we discovered that it had one of the best breakfast spreads we’d find on our journey, complete with dozens of types of pastries, cheeses, meats, yogurt, fruit, etc. Rates: $$
Every morning when we’d walk out of the hotel into a lovely square filled with flowers, cobblestones, singing gondolieris, and a general “Italian” air, I felt as if I had walked onto a movie set and had to pinch myself to believe it was real.
Note to parents with young children: Venice is not a great city to get around with strollers as everything is cobblestone and you need to go up and down bridges constantly. Consider putting young children in a backpack carrier whenever possible.
Exploring St. Mark’s Square
We spent a lot of time in St. Mark’s Square (as does every visitor in Venice, it seems). Along the waterfront you can shop for souvenirs at the numerous vendor’s stalls or pose for photos with one of the mimes dressed all in gold as mermaids, or in other crazy outfits. The square has several important sites to see including the Basilica di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace with its famous Bridge of Sighs), and the Campanile San Marco bell tower. Although it’s nice to sit and have a coffee at one of the cafes on the square, beware as you’ll pay dearly for it.
And I hope you don’t mind pigeons, because the square is filled with them and crazy tourists posing with them sitting on their heads and arms. We returned at night when it was miraculously pigeon- (and almost tourist) free and it was nice to wander through when it was empty and all lit up.
We loved the views of Venice and its red slate roofs from the campanile or 324-foot-tall bell tower. But you can no longer climb to the top; there’s now an elevator to take you up and down, and even if the line outside looks long, it moves quickly.
St. Mark’s Basilica, the centerpiece of the square, is a gorgeous domed church, and one of the city’s few free spots, thus the long lines. Try to come early or late in the day to avoid the worst of it. But it, too, is worth the wait — to see the amazing tiles that cover everything from top to bottom, inside and out. Whatever you think is painted, is actually intricately studded with tiles.
Murano for Glass & Shopping Lessons
We took our hotel up on the offer of a free ride to a glass factory on the island of Murano. We had been warned that the hotels offer you this opportunity to visit the shop that they are affiliated with in the hopes that you’ll spend your money there. After watching the talented glass blower make a few vases and intricate horses in mere minutes, we dutifully toured the store with its several floors of gigantic glass sculptures, vases and decantors. Then we slipped out and explored the island and its lovely shops and canals on our own, making it back to the factory for the last free boat back to the hotel.
Murano glass is beautiful, but after seeing it on every street corner and every touristy shop it began to all look alike. You can find great prices on the Rialto Bridge, but when the prices got too cheap I began to wonder if some of it is made in China, not Italy.
Luckily, since I really wanted a Murano necklace, I did find a shop (Segreti Veneziani, San Polo 79) with very unique jewelry, right on the Rialto Bridge. They certify that the glass is authentic Murano and even give you a certificate guaranteeing it. That was where I treated myself to a silver and blue/green Murano glass bead necklace which I didn’t see coming and going on every tourist!
We always offer our sons the chance for one special souvenir on our trips and, after dragging us around the city looking for an original gondolier sweater, my youngest finally chose an Italia zippered sweatshirt My other son never found anything special he wanted. I guess living in New York you feel that you could find anything at home for a better price.
Gondolas & Other Photo Opportunities
We chose not to be so touristy as to take a gondola ride since the price was about €80 (about US$110) or more for about 40 minutes. If you want to take a ride, I’d suggest pricing it around town. There are so many gondolas that if business is slow, I imagine they’ll give you a better rate.
Instead, we got our water views from the boat that took us through various canals to Murano, and on the #1 Vaporetto (the water bus) that took us up and down the length of the canal on several occasions. If you want an inexpensive gondola ride, take the traghetto across the Grand Canal. It’s a quick 10-minute ride in what is a retired (and less fancy) gondola for only €.50 (or about US 70 cents at our 2008 visit). It’s short, but sweet. Most Venetians stand for the entire ride, so be careful not to fall in!
I did give in to being a tourist, and had my photo taken with one of the handsome gondolieri. For the full effect, I picked one wearing the trademark traditional black and white stripped shirt and black hat with red ribbon. We also got an earful every morning when the gondolas, filled with noisy Americans, floated under our hotel window and we awoke to accordion music and an Italian serenade (no complaints here).
My kids got a real kick out of watching the boat traffic along the canal and spotting the police boat, the garbage boat, the FedEx boat, and even a Heineken beer delivery boat. As they watched people unpack all their belongings from what was virtually a “moving van” boat, they tried to imagine a life where everything must be delivered by water.
It’s a great idea to give kids their own cameras; actually, everyone should have their own. My husband was fascinated by taking pictures of the intricate doorways everywhere, including those with fascinating knockers, peeling paint and disintegrating brick walls (and the end result were some very artistic looking shots). I took my own artsy photos of laundry hanging from buildings, up ancient alleyways, and of practically every canal in Venice. My kids loved all the graffiti and took dozens of photos of every tag they could find. It certainly makes for a more interesting photo album when you return than just the usual touristy shots of people posing in front of historic sites.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
We walked over the Ponte d’Accademia bridge to get to the left bank where the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (+39 041 2405411; Open 10am-6pm, closed Tuesdays) is housed in the former home of the American millionaire art collector who lived in Venice for about 30 years. This museum houses an amazing modern art collection with works by all the greats — Chagall, Klee, Dali, Giocometti, Kandinsky and Picasso, to name just a few.
My kids particularly liked the gardens which are filled with fun statues and the burial ground of her many dogs, among them, Cappuccino, Baby, Madame Butterfly and Sir Herbert.
There was lots more that we didn’t have time to do in Venice, including a visit to the island of Burano where lace is made; a tour of the Doge’s Palace, with its armory room and stone prison cells; and a tour of the Jewish Ghetto, where Venetians confined Jews in the 1500s.
What we did get to do that was unique was to attend a service in the city’s only open synagogue. Additionally, we were warmly welcomed by the Chabad of Venice and had a lovely Passover seder at the island’s one kosher restaurant, Gam-Gam (Cannaregio 1122, +39 041 715 284).
Then we headed off to Florence on an enjoyable train ride that was only about two hours long. But that’s another story.
Venice Sightseeing & Trip Planning Tips
One of your most important resources is the Tourist Board of the Province of Venice
Azienda Di Promozione Turistica Della Provincia Di Venezia
Castello, 5050, 30122 Venezia (VE), Italy
+39 041 5230399
Venice’s official tourist office, the APT (Azienda di Promozione Turistica di Venezia), sells a Venice Card which provides first-in-line access to many museums and attractions, depending on whether you purchase the Blue or Orange version. Check out their website and try to be realistic about how much your family wants to sightsee, and you’ll be able to decide if just purchasing the few tickets you will use is a better value. Make sure the kids check out the Rolling Venice Card which is a 72-hour transport pass designed just for ages 14-29; it’s a steal.
The APT also gives guided tours to many aspects of the city, ranging from history and museums, to the darkest of legends, to gardens or palaces, daily between April 1 and October 31. Call (+39 041 5298711, email info@turismovenezia.it ) or check their website to select the tour language of choice. Tickets range from €20-€34, €10 for ages 7 to 12-years and free for kids 0-6 years; the day or evening gondola tours cost €40 per person.
Here are some notes about the sestieri, or major quarters of the city. This should provide a good base for organizing your sightseeing.
The Sestiere San Marco is the heart of the historic city and Saint Mark’s Square is Venice’s only square. Must sees include the The Doge’s Palace, Archaeological Museum, Saint Mark’s Basilica, the Clocktower, the shop-lined Merceria leading from Saint Mark’s Square to the Campo di San Bartolomeo and the La Fenice Opera House.
The Sestiere of Castello dates back to the earliest settlement of Venice in the 5th-6th centuries, but the eponymous castello or fort is gone. You can still see the ancient arsenal.
In the Sestiere of Cannaregio, better known as the Jewish Ghetto, families can visit the Jewish Museum and the synagogues. This quarter is thought to be named for the major canal leading to the mainland, and it contains the main railway station.
The Sestiere of San Polo is the smallest, but perhaps the most important, as it is an early commercial area with many fine shops and restaurants. Stroll the Rialto and look for osterie e bacari, taverns that also provide ready-made dishes including saòr, bigoi in salsa, tripe, liver alla veneziana, fish fries, as well as the typical cicheto (a morsel on a stick).
The Sestiere of Santa Croce occupies the northeast part of the city and had undergone so much renovation, including the historic Papadopoli Gardens, that families may prefer to move on to the showplace of classic Venetian architecture: the southern Sestiere of Dorsoduro. Among the palaces are the Ca’ Zenobio and the Scuola Grande dei Carmini. Don’t miss the Punta della Dogana bridge shaped like a ship’s prow, or the dogana da mar (sea customs house).
Those traveling with bicycles should get in touch with HelloVenezia (+39 041 2424) for information about transporting bikes across the lagoon.
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On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop selling the Google Glass product to consumers — who became its “Explorers” — while it makes more improvements to the technology and hardware. Simultaneously, the product will move from its test phase at Google X and become its own department within the giant technology company.
For complete details, please see this story: Google Glass Sales Halted.
This is a great summary of emerging family travel trends in 2015. I am very excited to see ecotourism evolving to include the youngest travelers as well as multi-gen travelers. Very interesting to see uber attempt to dig into the family market. As for all-inclusive hotels, after years of resisiting, I am finally a convert. My kids have always loved them and now their parents finally see the ease and economy of the pay-one-price concept. Happy Travels in 2015!
great feedback on what we’re seeing for 2015; agree that ecotourism has become so mainstream that it’s time all ages and all abilities (including those with disabilities) are included in nature-focused travel.
And yes, disruptive technologies like uber and airbnb are usually started by young people and grow by appealing to young travelers, but as we all know, they too will settle down and have kids and then look at new ways to make their services more “family-friendly.” So that’s an area where we see tremendous growth potential and hope for fresh ideas.
excited about what’s coming in 2015! Thanks for your comments.
I’m in, would love to win a stay at the Camelback water park in Pennsylvania. Close to my NJ home and sounds like a fun snowy or rainy day break with my boys. Sign me up!
After returning from a vacation with her daughter, C.S. shared this review of the Dreams Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic.
“Hi, we did not get sick at Dreams Punta Cana, stuck to bottled water, they were nice there not really attentive at concierge or lobby not knowledgeable and internet not working well, entertainment was okay and food just okay beach nice, tours not organized very well for swim with dolphins and no shopping for malls provided.
Yes the food was not great at all, hoping for better at gourmet restaurants, they always burnt the steak and not great the food, the world café was fine, buffet.
Kids club for my 8 year old she was bored, most of the kids were younger and not a lot to do for the 8 to 9 year olds, riviera maya dreams does a better job with kids club and takes them out to the real pool for kid games that is always nice.
I like Riviera Maya Mexico still a lot better.”
“The Singing Tower.” Bok Towers Gardens. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.
The Vera Bradley outlet sale sounds like a midwestern version on Filene’s Running of the Brides! It sounds like a paisley lovers dream and a fun Mother/Daughter bonding event. Thanks for sharing!
How’s the weather up there now? Would it be warm enough to swim outdoors in late April, or still chilly? Seems like a fun spring break getaway since we only have a few days. Thanks for sharing.
I love Rocky Mountain National park! It’s great for all Colorado seasons. In the winter, when other parts of the park are closed down, they open up sledding areas. When I went, we shared the hill with just one other small group. A great afternoon for all ages!
In spite of all the cold weather we have been experiencing, this story makes me want to head up to Montreal for a frosty weekend of fun. The Montreal en Lumiere festival sounds like a winner, as does the hotel. Thank you for the terrific seasonal suggestions!
Skiing is such a wonderful way to experience Colorado’s beauty! There is such pride in that state and I love that so many resorts really cater to children too.
Eldora Mountain Resort wasn’t mentioned on this list, but on Saturday, March 8, they are hosting a scavenger hunt to raise money for Leave No Trace, an organization dedicated to teaching people to take care of the world around them, while also having fun. How awesome is that?! Can’t wait to hear more about it.
This is an excellent article. Well researched, thoughtful and motivating. I know as a parent right now considering a family cruise this Spring Break in March, kids drowning will be on my mind even though my son is on a swim team and swims two miles five nights a week for practice. Drowning can happen to anyone, any time, at any age. As a former swim instructor and lifeguard myself for many years to earn summr spending money and put myself through college, I know how water is dangerous — whether in a pool, lake, baeach or bathtub. But we all need reminding and education about what drowning looks like. And that is what you’ve done for me today. Thank you.
As a teen life guard, I saved a kid at our local pool who was “just floating.” It was a crowded pool on a sticky, hot Midwest day. A swimmer in the middle of the packed giant kids’ pool started yelling at me and pointing to the child “floating.” I’ll never forget doing mouth-to-mouth, his wide vacant eyes, his limp body, and then him catapulting upwards, spitting, sputtering to life. I tear up as I write this. What if he hadn’t lived? The guilt, the fright, the parents, the park district, the system…who to blame if the child had died? Would I be blamed for not seeing him inactive sooner? Would the pool be blamed for allowing too many people in? Would the park district be blamed for booking the swimming event? Did anything change after this incident? Yes. I got fired. And went to work for another pool heading up their swimming lessons program.
Thank you for writing this and your call to action for everyone to take responsibility for children around water at all hours of the day and night. Your “unthinkable” article has given us all much to think about.
Would be a fun vacation if you could really save money by doing it too!
What an adventure, I would love to do embark on a journey like this with my teens. The flora and fauna seem incredible, the guides professional. Thank you for sharing!
We’ve heard the Boeing factory tour is really interesting – wondering now if there any exhibits or parts areas that relate to the new Dreamliner. Would love to see one up close, especially being assembled after all the battery snafus.
Wish we all could have been there, Morocco looks fabulous and during the winter it would be a very productive coder’s retreat.
Congratulations to ALL of the students who entered in the FTF Writing Scholarship contest :3 Of course a big "congrats" should be merited to our winners, but I think every student who entered deserves a pat on the back–hopefully they'll be inspired to continue writing, too!
This sounds like a great resort for my all-inlusive loving teen children, who have a " bigger is better" attitude. I love that it is so close to the Cancun Airport, so you can get right to the fun as soon as you land.
I love the idea that guests at the hotel can "assemble" their own favorite meals from a variety of healthy offerings. Sounds like a great idea. If only I had time to cook so many different options every night at home!
This looks like a fascinating experience to remember and to go too! I have always wanted to go to Dubai and going there is a vacation never to forget!
Enjoy
One of the best states to come visit!
You make me want to go there and spend weeks on end, reconnecting with nature and making friends. And blobbing too. Thanks for sharing this.
Cincinnati, Ohio. Just another city in the Mid-West, right? Wrong. Cincinnati is one of the greatest cities in Ohio. With our stunning river front view, our bustling downtown, and the newly gentrified Over-the-Rhine, what else could we have in store?
For starters, Cincinnati has the 7th best zoo in the nation.Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a great location for exploration and learning. People of all ages can appreciate the wide variety of animals found in the Zoo. Not only are the animals astounding, but guests get the chance for a hands on experience with many of the animals. For example, in Giraffe Ridge, guests can purchase a snack for the Giraffes and then feed them over the balcony. These moments will be remembered and cherished for the rest of a person's life.
Another great accessory Cincinnati has is the new, urban planned area called "The Banks. The Banks features apartments on the second floor of the buildings and restaurants and music venues on the first floor. This is a great area for younger couples to hang out at night.
Findlay Market is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or weekend. Findlay Market is the oldest public market in the state of Ohio. The market is open every day but Monday and is one of the best places to find locally and organically grown foods. Another great feature about Findlay Market is that the area surrounding the market is newly gentrified, meaning that it has been refurbished. This makes the area even more desirable.
The Newport Aquarium</a>is not located in the city of Cincinnati itself but it is an awesome place for family fun. Newport, Kentucky is only a 10 minute drive from downtown Cincinnati and has other amenities. Other places to visit while in Newport would be Dewey's Pizza, Brothers, Brio, and the Haufbrau House. All these restaurants give a different essence to the name "Cincinnati". Dewey's is a local pizza joint that runs the gamut in available options. Clever names and quick service make for a great time. Brothers and Brio are Italian restaurants that serve authentic Italian cuisine (Brothers is the less expensive option). The Haufbrau House is a German Bier Garten style restaurant that offers a large selection of beers and sandwiches. Along with normal options, the HaufBrau House also provides authentic German food. After you eat, the chicken dance is played, giving patrons the opportunity to dance on the table tops.
Other Cincinnati food traditions are Goetta and Skyline. When German immigrants came over to America, they settled along the Ohio River, then called the "Rhine". The Germans created a meat similar to sausage called Goetta. Goetta consists of ground pork or beef, oats, and a variety of spices. This specific meat can only be found in Cincinnati and occasionally there are large festivals for Goetta and German heritage. On the other hand Skyline is chili, created by Greek immigrants. The name "Skyline" originates from the owner believing that the Cincinnati skyline was the most beautiful he had ever seen. Skyline chili has a unique flavor due to the large amount of chocolate used in the chili.
Come one come all! Memphis is the breeding grounds to fun and adventure!
I truly love my City of Houston. Though I don't know where my education will take me, Houston will always be my home.
Austin is a great place to live, love, and visit. It has wonderful sites, people, and things to do. Everybody should visit Austin.
Say what you will. An open mind is insightful.
Thank you for this spot-on mini-review of Greve and Panzano, two of the most scenic and charming towns in Chianti. Daniel Ferro's summer music program only adds to the area's beauty, with music in the piazza to entertain locals and visitors alike. The rental property sounds like an excellent choice for families who choose to vacation in and explore the area. Thanks for sharing!
Ames, Iowa provides many opportunities to experience American culture and become immersed in American history. Since the mid 1800s, Ames has become a booming college town. Culture has had lots of time to flourish in this time, and evidence of the age of this town can be found everywhere. Tourists coming to Ames can also feel safe and enjoy Ames' attractions without fear of crime. Gun fights in Ames are practically unheard of, and the friendly people never hesitate to wave, even at newcomers to the area. Any tourist can appreciate the age and personality of Ames, as well as its safety.
To experience the culture in Ames, tourists must visit Stephen's Auditorium on Iowa State University's campus. This theater hosts a variety of concerts, plays, musicals, and other theatrical performances. Comfortable seating and awesome acoustics make this location a worthy contender for a relaxing night out. Big acts such as Bill Nye the Science Guy and the band Needtobreathe have to known to reserve this venue so one feels included in a special and popular event, but the space does not have an overwhelming size, so overcrowding and overheating will not deduct from the experience. Stephen's Auditorium will help in discovering the culture of Ames.
Tourists wishing to discover some of Ames' culture would greatly benefit from attending Ames' Farmer's Market on Saturdays on Main Street. Vendors have local and homegrown produce, meat, eggs, pastries, jewelry, art and many other items for sale that offer a taste of Iowan culture. Musicians often perform for shoppers, so they can be entertained while shopping. Ames' Farmer's Market provides an excellent opportunity to experience the culture of Ames and Iowa.
Evidence of Ames' history can be found in a visit to Iowa State University's campus. Founded in 1858, Iowa State University was the sight where George Washington Carver decided to do much of his botany research. Visitors to the college will see evidence of the age of this college in the buildings from this era that still exist. Iowa State University also housed the master minds who created the first computer. Tourists to Ames can take a trip to Durham Center in Iowa State and view the replica of this first computer. Main Street offers a taste of history also. The buildings in this area of Ames give a taste of what architecture looked like back in the early 20th century. A mural on Main Street depicts some of the founders of Ames. History holds great importance in Ames, and tourists can experience this without too much trouble.
To curb tourist's hunger, Ames offers many excellent places for dining. No tourist should visit Ames without eating at Hickory Park. This restaurant is famous not only for its deliciously moist chicken but also its tangy barbecue sandwiches. After the main meal, enjoy sweet and creamy ice cream. Dublin Bay offers wonderful Irish cuisine for tourists to enjoy. Try the moist Shepherd's Pie with perfectly salted fries for contentment. For fans of Mexican food, El Azteca guarantees friendly service, free chips, and delectably flavorful food. Many restaurants with amiable service and food that delights the taste buds are available for hungry tourists.
Though a relatively small town, Ames offers visitors a chance to learn about the history and culture of not only Ames, but the state of Iowa without fear of crime. Numerous attractions exist for this purpose. Visitors can also talk to the mayor of Ames, Ann Campbell, about the culture of history of Ames. City council members happily will answer questions from tourists. Tourists will not be sorry for visiting this town.
Northern Nevada never stops to amaze.
Sunday River has been on my radar for a potential family ski trip for quite a while. This story is so loaded with good information, it seems like it is worth the extra time spent in the car to ski at such an excellent family resort. Thanks!
Wow, this sounds likea great merging of chocolate and history, two of my favorite subjects.
I am looking forward to experiencing this for myself, thank you for the informative post.
I love this post so much! I hope I will come here one day!
This is a terrific article that I am so glad to have read. I didn't know there was a car-free way to appreciate the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Sounds like a fun, scenic and eco-friendly option.
Your essay moved me to tears. I am also a finalist in the scholarship and I wrote about visiting Poland’s concentration camps. I would love your opinion on my essay.
I wrote this essay hoping to bring people closer to understanding, as close to understanding as we can get. I want to share an experience that had an impact on me. This trip truly changed me, and what I want do with my life. I suggest if you have the means or are able to visit Poland or go on March of the Living. I know there are teen and family trips with BBYO.
Thank you so much for what you said. I truly appreciate what you said. I also visited the picture of your family. Your family is beautiful and I am so glad that they were able to make it through such a devastating time.
I loved reading about your romantic return to what sounds like a beatiful and vibrant island. Thanks for sharing some of its treasures.
This is a great story, thank you for sharing the glories of Octoberfest in lesser known Nerumberg. My mouth was atering reading about all of the regional delicacies that accompany the beer!
Oh goodness, this is so sad! Thanks for sharing all of this information, a lot of these things I did not know until just now. We're taught about the Holocaust at school, but I'm sure that there is nothing like actually being at a concentration camp to understand how it actually was. Thanks for sharing.
wow! This sounds like such a wonderful experience. I'm sure it was very enlightening, and it really makes me happy to read that last paragraph. I think it's beautiful that you see things that way, and I hope to some day personally come to that realization through my own experiences. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Hi Debbie,
You will want he Medical Authorization Form from each child's parents with a photocopy of their insurance card.
Then you can use the last form which is for group tours, school outings etc. It is fine for domestic travel, Include travel info for each child so that parents assign you guardianship for certain period of time only.
Get these forms notarized. Make several photocopies in case an adventure tour operator wants to keep one. Or, if you all travel on same flights, get one long form, like a petition, and be sure both of each child's parents or guardians sign it.
You should be fine with it. Does the hotel know? Many states say it is illegal for a minor to occupy a room without an adult present. You may need connecting rooms guaranteed.
Enjoy the trip and write about what you did!
JaguarZ writes to the Admin with a very good question:
I will be traveling to Hawaii, originating on the eastcoast, with 4 minors (only 1 is my child) – they will all be 17 at the time of travel. I need to be able to "act as their guardian" — for example, sign waiver forms for activities, seek medical coverage if necessary.
I found a form or two on the site, but they seem geared toward international travel and do not seem to include the ability to "sign the waiver forms" I mention above. Any suggestions? I realize I may be able to get some of these forms signed before we leave, BUT for those activities they decide on when we are there — H E L P!
Thank you so much for your anticipated support
Debbie
This is really incredible. It is a dream of mine to visit Alaska, and I hope that if I ever do get to go, that I can experience what you did. My dad and I are avid kayakers, so it was somewhat relatable, although I doubt that Miami waters are NEARLY as cool (haha) as those in Alaska.This truly sounds like the trip of a lifetime.
I wanted to add that I loved the way you described everything, it was so beautiful and real.
Aw, I'm so sorry that happened to your dad but I'm glad something good came out of it. My family was actually planning on going to Gatlinburg next summer but we're all way too chicken to do this white water rafting haha. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this! That sounds like a truly beautiful experience. I love the bit about never underestimating yourself the most, very true.
*2009 not 2008
This is about my trip to South Dakota.
This trip was indeed and enriching expreience.
If you copy and paste the URL at the bottom of the post into your browser, it will take you to a video clip of the event, and if you skip to the last 12 seconds of the video you will see myself and one of my good friends sprinting in to the finish. We ended up tieing for 9th place.