Up Next

I LOVE to travel. Fortunately, I get to do a lot of it. I’m super excited about my next trip. It’s been a long time coming.

For years my cousin (who’s really like my sister) and I have talked about taking our moms on a mother/daughter trip. Unfortunately, coordinating schedules and our moms caring for our grandmother always somehow kept the trip off in the future. You know…someday.

Sadly, Granny has been gone two years now and scheduling is always going to be challenging. Last fall, we all agreed that we’ve waited long enough. It was time to make this happen. We made a date and picked a cruise for spring 2015.

So, next week the four of us are headed to Vancouver for an Alaskan cruise. My mom and I have been before with my dad, hubby, kids, and in laws (that’s how I wanted to celebrate my 40th), and we loved it so much we were more than willing to go again.

I’ve been thinking of how I want to document this trip. Of course, I’ll be taking lots of pictures–that’s a given. I’m not certain, yet, how the written documentation will go. I do have a bit of a plan, BUT sometimes it just. doesn’t. happen. I’m ok with that. I like having flexibility in how things are recorded, or not. Sometimes my intentions are grand, but my follow through is lacking. Does that ever happen to you?

If things go as planned, I’ll journal a little every day. Usually I journal factual stuff like where we are each day, what we do, where & what we eat, the weather, etc. I also like to journal the observations I make like funny things we say, how I feel about something we do, anything that is joyful or thought provoking, etc.

In addition to the journaling I plan on bringing along some plain white 4×6 and 3×4 Becky Higgins Project Life Cards. I did this last summer on a European Disney cruise with Ross and the kids. Everyone participated, and it’s my most favorite souvenir from the trip. I loved getting everyone’s perspective and their handwriting.

With the cards each day I plan to ask one question and have all four of us answer the question. I’m thinking questions like: what was your favorite thing today? what surprised you about today? what do you think of Alaska so far? Things like that. Again, if it doesn’t happen, I’m ok with that.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do with all my photos and words after the trip. I’m leaning towards a photo book so everyone can have their own copy. We’ll see, and I’ll be sure to post here about how that comes together.

For now, I’m looking forward to having some adventures with three people I love so much.

I’m looking forward to seeing Alaska again and experiencing it through the eyes of someone who’s never been.

I’m looking forward to seeing what funny stories we’ll have to share for years to come. I know we’ll have a few.

I’m looking forward to big, deep belly laughs!

I’m looking forward to seeing what trip we’ll plan next. I have a feeling this could be the start of a new tradition.

Our grandmother loved to travel and be on the go. She had the chance to visit Alaska once and she loved it! She loved talking about that trip. I know she would love that we’re all going there together.

We’ll be thinking of  you, Granny.

 

 

 

 

P.S. Here’s a HUGE thank you to my awesome husband and my amazing dad for staying with and caring for the children while we’re away!