family vacation

Family vacations will always hold a special place in my heart. Even though the trips stretch my family’s budget close to the limit, my father insists we travel somewhere interesting every year. Even though I’m only seventeen I have been to many great places in my short life including Disney World, Charleston, and New York City. I grew up with family vacations, but as my childhood nears its end so do they.

It was my last summer as a free woman. September meant I would become a senior in high school, meaning an end to fun and the harrowing beginning of a life filled with responsibility. Even though it was only late June, I was compiling lists of everything I wanted to do before the end of summer. The list included going to the movies with friends, reading plenty of books, and other various and almost pointless goals. These goals were nothing in comparison to what I was really looking forward to: the legendary family vacation. This year it would be an exciting trip to Washington D.C. Cities were always my favorite places to visit; for me there was a sense of amazement in the hustle and bustle of the overpopulated streets. In mid- July, I would be walking along those same streets. Two weeks before our planned departure, we discovered that we didn’t have enough money to pay for our trip. With anger in my head and disappointment in my heart, I knew we would have to delay the vacation.

A week later, I was more than excited when my Grandparents asked if our family would come with them for a few days in Boston. Thankfully my parents assured me that it would be fun, and easily affordable. I had high hopes that this would be a great family vacation.

The morning of the trip, we packed ourselves and our mass of luggage into the family car. I didn’t particularly enjoy car trips, especially long ones but my anticipation for what lay in Boston and my love of caffeine kept me awake

When we finally reached the house we were staying at, my hopes dropped. To my deep regret, there was no air conditioning. Exhausted from the long car ride, I plopped down on my bed and drifted off to sleep.

I awoke the next morning eager for a day filled with everything I had hoped for. To my dismay we had a late start, and a long drive ahead. I knew city traffic was congested, but I had no idea how bad it would really be. Two hours later we reached the city in time for a late dinner. The seafood was delicious, but the service was slow. By the time we finished our meal, we had to return to our boarding house.

The next few days were a blur of rain, blistering heat, and boredom. What I had been eagerly looking forward to was turning out to be very disappointing. I was so upset that we hadn’t seen anything worthwhile, I wanted to leave early. My dad insisted we stay the last day. Reluctantly, the rest of the family agreed.

Thankfully it was a good decision. We spent the last and most exciting day of our trip in a quaint little town called Falmouth. We relaxed by looking in the shops, and eating at the restaurants. It was a simple day, but my family and I spent it together. It had taken me this whole time to realize what the real point of a family vacation was.