And we're off...

From the time my kids were little, Isaac and I took them on road trips every summer. This was partially in part to explore America, or at least the beauty of the Northeast coast. But also, I wanted to create some memories for my kids. When I was a kid, we couldn't afford vacations per se. We didn't have a car, so road trips were out of the question. Still, I have fond memories of traveling the D train to Coney Island, where we would ride the Wonder Wheel, and drive my mom nuts for more rides. I have memories of stale matzoh and hard-boiled eggs, of swinging back and forth around the poles on the subway (again driving my mother nuts). These trips weren't easy for my mother (my father sometimes joined us, but often not, also a distinct memory). We were four, then 5, rather wild rambunctious kids and I think we drove her nuts alot.

In any case, I wanted to create memories for my kids, so every year we would get in the car and go away for two or three days. We went to the Jersey Shore, Montauk, Long Island, Lake George, the Shenandoah Valley, New Hampshire among other places. Those trips were fun and I hope that my kids will always have memories beyond the "STOP LOOKING AT ME!" and "YOU HAD THE WINDOW LAST" variety.

I look at the girls and I think that the era of family road trips will end before I know it. Liat is going into 11th grade, and is already talking about life beyond high school and--G-d help me--driving lessons. I try not to dwell on that fact to much, because if there is one thing that I've learned it's that you've got to live life in the moment and enjoy it while it's happening. But somewhere, tucked in the back of my mind I know the number of family road trips left is dwindling.

Tomorrow we leave for the Golan. The plan is to make a quick stop in Tsfat (or not. We are notorious for leaving way after the designated time. Trust me on that--It happens every. single. trip.) and then head up to Chorshat Tal where we will pitch our tents, barbeque, swim, play cards (sign of the times: our kids are teaching me how to play poker) and bond. That is, if they haven't killed each other in the back seat.

We've done rugged vacations before, but we've never actually camped out. I'm really the Five-Star-Hotel-Type, but my wallet isn't, so camping it is. I'm sure I'm hoping it's as much fun as everyone says it is.

And thank G-d for our portable DVD player.

I'll be back soon, hopefully with some good pictures.