“Vacations with family are a time to create lasting memories, to laugh and to simply be together.” – John Wooden
This week my husband and I went on our annual sibling trip with his brothers and their wives and sister and her daughter and son-in-law. We’ve been taking a trip like this in the fall for over ten years now. Maybe more like fifteen years. So many that I’ve lost count. The first trips we took were to the Smokies, but lately we’ve been sticking closer to home and staying in Kentucky.
We started the fun to have a way to make sure the family ties stayed tight after my husband’s mother passed away. Sometimes it’s easy to get busy with your individual families once you have your own children and grandchildren and not stay in as close contact with the extended family. We didn’t want that to happen. So, we came up with the idea of a fall retreat where we could get together to compare grandkid stories, talk about past family times, hear the stories the brothers told on one another, share some laughs and maybe a tear or two remembering those no longer with us.
We always rent a house that can suit our needs – enough bedrooms, a well equipped kitchen, and a dining table to let all nine of us sit together at meals. That is always the best time for talk and family reminiscing. Sometimes this or that brother will remember something in a different way, but they always nod and agree when their sister says it was this or that way. She’s the oldest and none of them mess with her.
We love it when the house has plenty of gathering space and a good view. When we went to the Smokies, we rented the same house for several years. It had a long porch where you could look out at the mountains. This one had the porch, but lacked the view. Plenty of trees, but we were too early for the fall colors if we have any this year.
We’re all getting older. Some of us have great grandchildren to brag about now. When we decide to head out into the woods to do some exploring, a few of us sit out the walks. That’s not me – yet. I am happy any time a trail beckons. And this one did. We were in the Red River Gorge with beautiful scenery on every side.
One sister-in-law is always ready to head out on those trails with me. This year the first day we were there it rained all day long. We were happy when the sun came out on the second day. We headed out to the Gorge and took the short hike to Sky Bridge. While I looked at some of the other trails with yearning, I wanted more to be with my family on whatever trails they were ready to traverse.
A couple of the guys thought Sky Bridge might need some help staying stable. Those two are always ready for a chance to do something to have the rest of us smiling. Smiles – what a special gift to family.
“Family is family, whether it’s the one you start out with the one you end up with, or the family you gain along the way.” — Unknown
I’m blessed with the family I started out with and the family I’ve gained along the way. These short family recharging trips add to my family blessings.
Have you ever gone on a trip with family? Or been hiking in Red River Gorge?
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We took a long weekend trip to Hocking Hills last Feb with my sister, her husband and 3 kids and stayed in a cabin with our dogs. It was fun though the weather was icy and cold. We played around the cabin outside and boardgames inside. All in all, a good time!
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It is so much fun to take family vacations like that, Kris. Glad you and your sister’s family had a great time in spite of the weather, although the kids might have enjoyed the icy. We do a lot of talking and catching up when we take this sibling trip every fall, and do some eating too. We always have ice cream. 🙂
Most of our family outings were short day trips. I enjoyed those too.
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Times together are good no matter the length, Connie. My sisters and I live close enough together that we can enjoy those day trips or visits.
Yes we spent Family time this year at The Great Smoky Mountains and next My Daughter want’s to take me too The New River Gorge She has been but I haven’t so that is where she wants to take me next Have A Blessed Weekend Ann!
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It’s great to have a next trip to look forward to, Sarah. And isn’t it great o live in a country where there are so many beautiful places to visit? I’m thankful for those who worked to protect the natural beauty of our nation in National Parks.
When Mom turned 80, my four older sisters and I took Mom away on a weekend trip for her birthday. It became a tradition until a few years before she passed. Since then, I’ve been on a couple of trips with my oldest sister.
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What a great gift to your mother, Trudy. I can only imagine how happy that made her every year.
Since the older of my sisters is deceased, the other older sister and I (the baby of the family) enjoy going on trips together when possible. We include our spouses and have a great time as a foursome. We’ve gone to family funerals together, cruised together (France, Quebec, Prince Edward Island), and simply visited the other to see new living arrangements.
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Sounds as though you’ve made some wonderful memories together. It’s wonderful when sisters can also be best friends, Suzanne.