Mom Pushes Babies from the Nest to Fly out West

I have always had a passion for travel and exploring ever since I can remember.  The National Geographic books that came in the mail and once I graduated high school I really took to the sky to travel. Flying around the world all by myself to Austraila, Brazil, Europe—sailing on tall ships to huge ocean liners.  

Today it seems my kids just don't have that passion to explore the world around them. Maybe its because we are all so close in the Internet world. We can see live video of animals in the wild in the Galapogos, see dancing in Africa and research and hear any language in the world all from out desk tops or ipads and phones. 

I recently had to beg my 19 year old to travel. Just go! Hop in your car and drive, explore, go out west and see things. 

She loves wolves and the wilderness, so a drive out to Yellowstone was just the ticket for her. I set her up with a Trip Tik from AAA and of course there's an app for that. Back in the day I used to work at AAA and hand build the trip tiks each page at a time, complete with road construction and highlighting the attractions along the way. I could read a map upside down better than anyone.

Today AAA has evolved and is now online and has apps for your phones. GREAT option for kids who refuse to bring a paper map.  

Online together we found camp sites along the way and called each one to see if they were open and find out how much. I still like to call and talk to the local person to get the inside scoop about the campground and what it has to offer. I was surprized to find that for average cost $16 per night there were showers and pools and electric hook ups in most campsites. I would recommend using AAA or KOA approved camp grounds   

The planning was almost as exciting as the traveling. Within a week her and her boyfriend and boyfriend's brother headed west!

Car packed full, with tent, sleeping bags, air mattress, cooler and small grill. And of course a first aide kit with snake bite kit, gauze, bandages, neosporin and benadryl and everything else I could throw in there just in case. (A mom has to be a mom, you know)     

Off they went, I asked for daily updates via text and it was great to see all the AMAZING moments as she first arrived at the waterfalls in SD, then the text "MMMMMMOUNTAINS!!! MOM all around us!,  Then "I just got licked by a wolf!!!!!"  (at a wolf camp near MT. Rushmore)  "headed to Yellowstone" and Buffalo surrounding our car. "Talking to baby Buffalo" Huge waterfall- "Feel the Power" The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  

Texts from her put me at ease about sending her off to explore. But mostly I was able to experience it with her and hear the excitment that came through as she discovered more and more amazing beauty in the world that is outside our doors, away from our computers. I just sent my 18 year old son off yesterday with 2 other boys to explore - they just made it to Black Hills in one day and Headed to California and via Idaho and back the southern route through Texas. 

I can't wait to hear about his adventures!   

I think I've started something!  Something Wonderful!   

If you have kids just bored and wondering what to do.... get out and explore. 

My nine year old likes to do this too.  I go with her, we just hop in the car and drive.  We ended up at Lake Pepin on the Wisconsin side - Wow that is beautiful - like being in Scotland on Lac Lommand.  

The World is a Book... and those who do not travel... read only but one page. 

Saint Augustine

I love that quote and live by it!  Just Do it!  Get out there and explore! 

Everything begins at the Point of Departure!

Sue Thompson Steenhoven

Mother, Wife, Travel Professional and Professional Traveler. 

sue@pointofdeparture.pro