Monday, August 17, 2009

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.

12 comments:

rutimizrachi said...

ROFL! Have an wonderful time creating incredible memories for your family, dear friend. My bracha? That they shouldn't drive you completely nuts. I would miss your blog posts.

Leora said...

Have fun. Enjoy the Golan - look for purple thistle; it was growing all over the hillsides when we were there. Maybe it's all dried out by August though.

Look forward to pics.

Risa Tzohar said...

Have a great time. We spent a few days in Tzfat last week and really enjoyed it!

I also have very fond memories of my mother taking us on the train to Rockaway.

Commenter Abbi said...

Have a great time! The pools at Churshat Tal are coooold, so get ready.

Leora,
Everything that had some kind of color in the spring on the Golan is completely dry and brown now. :( No color till the winter.

Toto said...

Hey--nice meeting you the other day! We camped in Chorshat Tal last year......it was beautiful, just crowded. Have FUN!

Anonymous said...

Have a lot of fun with your family.

Mrs. S. said...

Enjoy!

"STOP LOOKING AT ME!"
The first time our two oldest kids said this to each other, my husband and I started laughing. We both remembered complaining that our respective siblings were "looking at" us, but neither of us could remember what was so bad about it...
:-)

JJ said...

Hope you're having fun! I've never actually camped out before- my husband takes the kids every summer but I always pass. I don't think I'd like it. Plus, it gives me a nice kidless 2 days. :-)

Batya said...

What fun!

mother in israel said...

How was it? My experienced friend said the best camping is not too far, for one night and with another family. I suspected the third but had no victims. Wish I had known the other two before.
My son just got his driving license, but he has to wait three months before he can drive alone. Scary stuff.

RivkA with a capital A said...

I can't believe you did not invite us to join you!!

Don't you remember what you said last summer????

Check this out!

mother in israel said...

Some of us can go when the kids are in school.