In honor of Memorial Day coming up next weekend, I thought it would be fun to repost this article I wrote about visiting the World War II Memorial with one of my favorite veterans, my Grandad.

Grandad at the World War II Memorial

We stepped off the bus and started towards the path that would lead us to the World War II Memorial. The path was lined with trees and squirrels darted back and forth in front of us as we made our way. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind as we got nearer. Known to many as “The Greatest Generation” my Grandad was a hero in his own right. A hero to the nation, to his soldier companions and to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They all were/are heros. Upon his head he proudly wore his World War II Veteran hat and I fought back tears thinking how thousands of these great Americans are leaving our world each day. My heart ached even harder knowing my children wouldn’t get the opportunity to get to know them and learn from their wisdom.

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This year has been amazing traveling wise. We have experienced so many things and so many new and wonderful places. Traveling for us is an addiction. It’s more than a hobby. It’s something that we are so passionate about. I have often wondered why. Maybe it’s the adrenaline rush from landing in a new place, maybe it’s the excitement of the unexpected, or maybe it’s the break from reality and everyday life. I do have a sinking suspicion that it might be a combination of all three.

While things have changed recently in our lives to make it so that we won’t be able to travel as often as we have in the past, we do want our readers to understand the passion and addiction is nowhere near gone. It’s very much here and alive. I’m guessing it will always be so. So, to make myself feel better about the changes that have come to pass recently, I am posting a list of our top 5 favorite trips of this year so far.

Maui, Hawaii

Sometimes when I have a really crazy day or when BabyTravels is teething and NOT happy, I imagine myself laying on the beach, relaxing on toasty sand, roasting in a warm but not too hot sun. Then when I get nice and warm I take a cool dip in the ocean, emerging myself in the healing saltiness of the sea.  Sigh……

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Grandad Remembers

We stepped off the bus and started towards the path that would lead us to the World War II Memorial. The path was lined with trees and squirrels darted back and forth in front of us as we made our way. I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind as we got nearer. Known to many as “The Greatest Generation” my Grandad was a hero in his own right. A hero to the nation, to his soldier companions and to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They all were/are heros. Upon his head he proudly wore his World War II Veteran hat and I fought back tears thinking how thousands of these great Americans are leaving our world each day. My heart ached even harder knowing my children wouldn’t get the opportunity to get to know them and learn from their wisdom.

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Leaving Washington DC and Virginia was really hard. We  both love that area so much and Reid especially since he has such a spiritual connection to the people there. And even though BabyTravels came down with her first respiratory virus while we were there, I would redo the trip in a heartbeat. I have been to DC three times now. Always in May and always an even year. Starting in 2006, 2008 (you can read about that trip here) and now 2010. So as the plane was taking off from DCA I tried not to be too sad as I looked out the window at the infamous monuments and the Potomac as we passed over in the air- I’ll see you in May, 2012!

As always the best part of any vacation is the food- and this vacation did not dissapoint. We ate some of our favorites and a few new ones along the way. That’s my best vacation food advice: Always be willing to try something new!

Pulled pork sandwich and sweet potato fries, Red Hot and Blue, Fairfax, Virginia

Fudge, Luray Caverns, Luray, Virginia

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I went on some pretty amazing trips last year that gave me quite a few amazing memories. The purpose of this blog post is to share those with you and let you look at some eye candy. These photographs were all done by my talented photographer husband. Enjoy!

Jefferson Memorial in Washington

Capitol Building

Rotunda in the Capitol Building

Rotunda in the Capitol

National Cathedral

Washington DC LDS Temple

Seward Alaska

Alaskan Fisherman

Alaskan Puffins

Waterfall, Anchorage Alaska

Bridge, Minneapolis Minnesota

Spoonbridge and Cherry, Minneapolis Minnesota

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego

Painted Ladies, San Francisco California