While our powerhouse daughter is processing most of the family history retrieved from storage, I brought home a few boxes to sort and scan by myself. In our nearly-empty unit today, I found a heavy collection of descriptive books, magazines, and maps of our favorite vacation places. My sweetheart Kay and I had carefully acquired, taken home, and saved these throughout many moves during our marriage.
Kay was the organizer, who protected and cared for our family history, a big part of which is travel. More than just a collection, it was an abundant resource she used in her assumed role as travel advisor for family and friends. Some were amazed at the wealth of ideas and information she provided that helped them plan successful trips. Of course, her detailed memories of fun family adventures were priceless — not what you find on the Internet — and motivated others to get out of their comfort zone. Enthusiasm is contagious!
Naturally we had to keep the
Sunset Travel Guide to Oregon (well worth the $3.57 cost), copyright 1976, a large-format paperback book including our favorite chapter, “Down the Oregon Coast” (been there, done that several times). “Nature passed out scenery with a lavish hand in the Pacific Northwest. ... Oregon has a dramatic 400-mile coastline varying from waveswept headlands to broad sandy beaches backed by lushly forested mountains.” — Introduction, page 5.
I will find time to read that book, so it’s a keeper.
Another must-save, smaller book is
The Canadian Rockies — A Pictorial Guide to Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefields and Waterton, copyright 1986. It is a picture book full of phenomenal photography with identifying place names. Which of our 23 grandchildren will appreciate and treasure that one as I pass it on next year? (Our five children already have a sufficient supply of books.)
Some of our favorite destinations are in Arizona — evidently in another box with more recent material, including the Musical Instrument Museum in Pheonix and Grand Canyon National Park. Kay especially liked Sedona, “surrounded by red-rock buttes” (and too much tourist traffic).
Digging deeper to get closer to home, I found “Hiking the Zion Narrows — Reference Map & Trip Planner”, including this major section: “Avoid a Flash Flood”. That was an experience her siblings and we will never forget! As with so many adventures in life, “your safety is your responsibility!” Be prepared.
We could have written a book about our vacations in Georgia, New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota, Colorado, California, Alaska, and British Columbia — just to mention a few. I imagine the final chapter: other places on Kay’s wish list. In retrospect, our “cup runneth over” (more than enough for our needs), as Grandmother Cannon concluded.
Finally, for now, the “Crystal Hot Springs — Waterpark & Campground” brochure promotes “year-round family fun” in Honeyville, Utah. It’s true — now our grandkids laugh about that family camp where they enjoyed swimming after the wind blew our tents down at night. And I think there was rain with the wind; Kay would remember. Love those hot springs ... and our smiling trip advisor!
near end of our road trip from Utah to the mission
– nice to know we were welcome, 28 August 2017
Sister Cannon "on vacation" at Lake Michigan
(28 Aug. rest stop before starting mission work)
our "truck", ready to hit the road, 11 August 2018
– fully loaded for return to Utah and family
