I Love Summer Vacation

When I was young, we didn't have much.  My parents worked very hard and had two jobs each most of the time.  I didn't know we were poor until it was pointed out to me by classmates.  I thought everybody had a free lunch card just like me.  You see, my parents didn't go to college and didn't have careers but they did everything they could to be the best parents and provide for me and my sister.

The one thing they did do and made a must to do was take us on a family vacation every summer.  They saved for it all year long.  We didn't fly, but we drove.  Usually with family or friends so they could split the cost of gas.  One of my greatest memories I will never forget is packing, leaving early in the morning, jumping on the road and waiting till we got there.  We went all over the U.S. and did everything we could for that week.  It was the only time we could eat anything we wanted and do anything we wanted. 

We started that tradition with my family a couple of years ago.  Doing staycations around DFW, Austin, San Antionio, etc.  But this year we did it right.  We Saved, Saved, Saved!!! We took the best trip ever!  We flew into San Diego, went to the best Zoo ever.  Then drove up the coast all the way to San Francisco hitting every beach like La Jolla, Venice, Carmel, and every hot spot like Disneyland, Universal Studios, L.A., Hollywood, The California Coast,  Big Sur, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf  etc, etc.  We had the best time ever!!!  We will always keep this tradition going so that our daughters may have that memory and pass it along to their family one day.

 San Diego Bay

San Diego Zoo

 

 

First Time to see an Ocean @ Coronado Beach, CA

LaJolla Beach

 Where the memories begin...

Watching the Disneyand Parade :)

California Adventure Park

Universal Studios Tour

Hollywood Hills (we were so close)

Venice Beach

Santa Monica Sunset

Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park

Carmel Beach

California Coast

This is not a Post Card

Elephant Seals

San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge (fog included)

This was a beautiful time for my family to bond and make memories.  I encourage you to do the same and like my husband always says "Stop and Smell the Roses."