It feels like all we did growing up was move from one base to another, and therefore never went on vacation, but that isn’t true. We DID move a lot, but when I think back, I can distinctly remember some pretty fun vacations that Mom and Dad took us on between all the moves.
The big one when I was very little was a tour of Denmark and Norway in the Red VW camper (I think I was about three). I have no idea the full itinerary, but I know we camped next to a beach (I think near Copenhagen), and we visited a famous museum in Oslo that had a huge Viking boat displayed up on posts. It was glorious!
Back in the States, and living in California, we drove up to Washington to see Mom’s family, through northern California, stopping to see Aunt Jocie in Redwood City, and vising the Redwood forest. We actually drove through the tree back then. That’s also when I sliced my left thumb open trying to whittle on a stick. (I still have the scar). Must have been a long vacation because we spent a lot of time at the beach with all our cousins, and that may be when they bought the beach house from Ken and Carolyn.
Another time, we rented a houseboat on Lake Isabella, due west of Bakersfield, CA. I think we camped for a day or two. That was a lot of fun.
After Dad came back from Vietnam, and before we moved back to George, we drove from Washington to Minnesota to see the relatives on Dad’s side of the family. I remember being at John & Wanda Millers’ house, sitting on the front stoop, and watching a tornado off in the distance. The Moms put a quick stop to that: down to the basement!
In Libya, we weren’t there long enough. In Italy there were three vacations I distinctly remember, though I’m not sure in what order they occurred.
One was a trip to Rome with Grandma Branby when she flew over to visit. Actually the only time I ever remember her visiting us. I think we were there about a week. We took the train down and back, which was another adventure. The most distinct thing that stands out is the tour guide and his very broken english. Very fun and entertaining.
Another time Mom and Dad bought us skis and we all drove over the mountains and spent a week learning to ski in Austria. That was a blast. We were there with a couple other families, so lots of things to do on and off the slopes. The end of the week was a big ski race.
The third vacation was at the beach near Venice. We must have stayed at a hotel right on the water.
Back in the States, and living in California, we drove up to Washington to see Mom’s family, through northern California, stopping to see Aunt Jocie in Redwood City, and vising the Redwood forest. We actually drove through the tree back then. That’s also when I sliced my left thumb open trying to whittle on a stick. (I still have the scar). Must have been a long vacation because we spent a lot of time at the beach with all our cousins, and that may be when they bought the beach house from Ken and Carolyn.
Another time, we rented a houseboat on Lake Isabella, due west of Bakersfield, CA. I think we camped for a day or two. That was a lot of fun.
After Dad came back from Vietnam, and before we moved back to George, we drove from Washington to Minnesota to see the relatives on Dad’s side of the family. I remember being at John & Wanda Millers’ house, sitting on the front stoop, and watching a tornado off in the distance. The Moms put a quick stop to that: down to the basement!
In Libya, we weren’t there long enough. In Italy there were three vacations I distinctly remember, though I’m not sure in what order they occurred.
One was a trip to Rome with Grandma Branby when she flew over to visit. Actually the only time I ever remember her visiting us. I think we were there about a week. We took the train down and back, which was another adventure. The most distinct thing that stands out is the tour guide and his very broken english. Very fun and entertaining.
Another time Mom and Dad bought us skis and we all drove over the mountains and spent a week learning to ski in Austria. That was a blast. We were there with a couple other families, so lots of things to do on and off the slopes. The end of the week was a big ski race.
The third vacation was at the beach near Venice. We must have stayed at a hotel right on the water.
After Dad came back from Korea, we moved to North Las Vegas. Dad bought both a Camper and a speed boat. With the Camper, we drove out to Colorado once or twice and stayed with Don in Snowmass or Basalt. We toured the Maroon Bells, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and all the places in between. Dave and I went river rafting down the Roaring Fork River. That was a blast.
I think there was a ski trip to Snowmass at least once, because Uncle Don was working at Gene Taylor’s Sporting goods, right on the mountain, so we got some good discounts on rentals.
The move to Luke AFB (Phoenix) pretty much ended the big family vacations for me. To be fair, Dad decided to put in a swimming pool, and that was awesome!
I think there was a ski trip to Snowmass at least once, because Uncle Don was working at Gene Taylor’s Sporting goods, right on the mountain, so we got some good discounts on rentals.
The move to Luke AFB (Phoenix) pretty much ended the big family vacations for me. To be fair, Dad decided to put in a swimming pool, and that was awesome!
My Senior year was jam-packed with activities, followed by a shortened summer when I was unexpectedly appointed to the Air Force Academy.
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