Memories

While I was growing up my both of my parents worked full time jobs and ran a small dairy farm. This left little time to do things like going on a camping trip, taking a vacation, or riding snowmobiles. I made a promise to myself that when I had kids of my own, we would do all those things. Since I had never done any of these things before it was nice that we could experience them together. Now as my daughters have gotten older, we can look back, and remember all the special memories of all those family trips.

Camping was one of my family’s favorite things to do. We’d camp on sandbars on the Mississippi River most of the time. Many of our summer weekends were spent playing in the sand, swimming in the river, and roasting marshmallows over the campfire. After a few years we bought a pop-up camper and started staying at campgrounds around the area. Bluebird Springs in La Crosse, Dunromin over by Caledonia, Minnesota, and Goose Island are all very nice campgrounds to stay at. My kids’ favorite campground of all time is Jellystone Campground in Warrens.

When the girls were in grade school we flew to Florida for a vacation. We went to Disneyworld, SeaWorld Orlando, and Universal Studios. One day we rented a car and just spent the day on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The girls had so much fun running and catching the waves. After spending six days in Florida we boarded a three day Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas. We all got to try snorkeling for the first time.

Throughout the years we traveled west many times to visit my mother in Wyoming. We had decided that every trip would involve a new route, enabling us to stop at a different landmark each time. We drove through The Badlands, watched fireworks at Mount Rushmore and witnessed rock blasting at Crazy Horse Monument. We also spent time at Custer State Park, Yellowstone Park and Grand Teton National Park.

Once we got our snowmobiles winter became a more enjoyable season. My husband and I both had our own sled so that we could take the girls on rides. We would ride the local trails during the week, stopping for supper along the way. On the weekends we’d trailer the sleds and go up north. We went up as far as Lake Superior once and even rode right on the lake.

Since the girls have gotten older the camping trips and vacations happen less often. School and work are more important for them right now. Even though life is busy we still plan a trip to Hayward, Wisconsin, every summer. I strongly believe in spending time with my kids. All of these trips have created beautiful memories that we can cherish forever.