In today's hectic, keep-up-with-the-neighbors
world, the family vacation has become another
form of one-upsmanship which means exotic
destinations and following commercial trends.
However it is important to remember that the
family vacation should not be about the
location, the gimmicks, or the amount of money
you spend. A family vacation should be about
spending time together as a family doing
something you can all enjoy. A family vacation
should be about cementing your bonds as a family
rather than about splurging or plunging into
debt.
When I was a child my family took several
vacation and I have fond memories of every one.
My family was not well-to-do so most of our get-aways
meant camping trips but we still managed to
visit several different locations in a number of
states and Canada. We made friends, learned
about history and different cultures, and spent
time together.
While I am not a big fan of camping (after
all, this is my vacation too) as a mother, my
family has found a wonderful compromise that
offers many of the advantages of camping while
eliminating a good many of the disadvantages.
Our compromise is the Kentucky State Resort
Park.
We happen to live in Kentucky, but even if
you do not this is a great state for
vacationers. Kentucky offers a wonderfully mild
climate with warm summers and temperate springs,
falls and winters. Our friends and family love
visiting Kentucky in the spring and fall as our
spring arrives much sooner and fall lingers much
longer than it does in the northern states where
they live. Kentucky also offers beautiful
scenery from rolling horse farms, forested
mountains, and peaceful lakes and rivers.
The Kentucky State Parks system offers 18
resort parks throughout the state which is more
than any other state. Each resort park offers a
full-service lodge which includes guest rooms
and dining. Plus many also offer cottages or
cabins that can be rented by the night or week.
The cottages include a fully-equipped kitchen so
you can enjoy family-style meals although you
can also eat at the lodge if you choose. Some of
the resort parks located on lakes also offer
houseboat rentals as well.
Each park also offers a variety of activities
including hiking, swimming, play grounds, picnic
areas, and appreciating nature. Most parks have
a staffed nature center that provides
programming for all ages. Usually you can enjoy
the outdoors and water in a variety of ways from
golf to horse back riding to tennis. Water
sports are usually available with indoor and
outdoor pools as well as beaches and marinas.
Kentucky State Resort Parks offer a great
family vacation opportunity without the
distractions, and extra costs, of a more
commercial resort.
