Close Encounters of the Best Kind
Every five years or so, the family I married into holds a reunion, and my husband, his mom, three brothers, “baby” sister, and as many of the grandkids—and now great-grandkids—as are able, gather at the designated place for a week of fun and adventure. After forty-plus years as a Raney myself, I’m here to testify that the Raneys have a corner on the “adventure market” and when you get twenty-five of them together, well… you can kind of tell just by looking that you’re in for a whole lot of fun!
My dear mother-in-law made this trip possible for everyone, but unfortunately, she started the trip by breaking her nose (in three places!) It happened the day before our family arrived, so when we got close to the cabin, we blacked our eyes in sympathy. This may be my favorite photo from the trip. But Mom has never been one to let a little thing like a broken nose slow her down!
This year, our destination was Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah. I’ve always imagined Utah as desert-like and desolate (and there were a few miles of road that were just that) but as we neared Bryce Canyon our first day there, we were absolutely awed by the beauty of that place!
There’s not time in a blog post to tell about everything we did, but a short list includes lots of great meals (each family took a turn cooking), lots of laughter over games and conversation, several hikes in the canyons and valleys, ATVing, swimming in the Virgin River, playing horseshoes, throwing darts, hot-tubbing at the cabin, and so much more. It was wonderful to see family from California to Kansas reconnect, catch up with nieces and nephews, celebrate two engagements, and just feel blessed to call each other family.
You won’t know how much we appreciated the whole trip if you don’t first know that we traveled the almost 17-hour trip in a 12-passenger van with our oldest daughter and son-in-law and their three little boys (who’d already ridden nine hours the day before to get to our house!) And they were good as gold! The drive to Utah was honestly one of my favorite parts of the trip. We braced ourselves for the boys to be cranky and worn out on the drive home, but they were just as good on the way home! (Proud Mimi talking here.)
It was wonderful to finally see this sign…
But we’re already planning our next trip!
What is your favorite family vacation destination?
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What an awesome idea, Deb. Loved your sympathy black eyes by the way. Nothing like showing support! 🙂 I’ve often thought about traditions and as my kids are now getting older and leaving home, this sounds like a great tradition to start. Maybe if I start planning now, in five years I could save up for a nice little vacation like that! I’m glad you all had a great time. Family, even extended family is so important.
We’ve just talked to our kids about saving Christmas money for a few years toward a family vacation for us and our kids and grandkids. They’re excited about the idea, especially since we live so far apart from each other.
What wonderful memories, too, for all those grandchildren. You are very blessed, Deb. (But I think you already know that.)
Thanks, Lynn. And yes, I do feel very blessed, and thank the Lord for the families He’s given me on both sides!
What a great trip, Deb! Several years ago we took our 3 kids on a massive summer vacation from Texas to California to Oregon to Idaho, to Colorado and several places in between. One of those places was Bryce Canyon. We loved it! We took the kids on a horseback ride down through the canyon. Well … my youngest got to ride a horse led by the guide. The rest of us were actually on mules. Each of us had our picture taken along the way, and those pictures are still hanging in my hallway at home. We were only able to stay one full day since we were going so many places, but on our way out of Utah we made an unplanned stop at the Arches National Park. That turned out to be the highlight of the trip. We all got out and climbed around the arches. It made for a great break from the car. I wish we’d had more time to explore than the two hours we took. Definitely an awe-inspiring place.
If you ever go back, be sure and see Zion National Park also. They are both gorgeous, and so different from each other. Love that you still have those mule/horseback photos hanging. 🙂
In 1998 we started having a family reunion for my grandparents descendants. The grandparents were already deceased and their children are down to 2 from 8 siblings. We meet in Branson for 3 days every 2 years since it is centrally located for most of us, and rent a meeting room where we are allowed to take our own food to make it affordable for everyone. This is the only time most of the cousins see each other and it’s fun to see my grandchildren become friends with their distant cousins. I highly recommend family reunions that last more than a couple of hours.
That’s wonderful, Joan! The older I get, the more precious my cousins are to me! That’s one reason I love Facebook so much: it allows me to keep up with what’s going on in my cousins’ lives, even though most of them live far away.
Deb,
What a delightful post! And those photographs are gorgeous.
My family has a reunion every year on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. That’s up in Michigan. My husband loves those things because his family never did reunions (I can’t imagine that). He fits right in with the 100 or so people who usually gather.
Sadly, we haven’t been able to get to that reunion in four or five years due to a variety of situations.
As for my favorite family destination? I’d have to say that when I’m in Kansas, it’s my home in Michigan and when I’m in Michigan, it’s my home in Kansas.
But, I don’t know…. Utah is looking pretty good, too.
Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t that the truth…when we’re in one place we love, we miss the other, and vice versa. Thanks so much for your comment!
Thanks for sharing your pictures! Looks like all had a great time. Our favorite family destination is Gulf Shores, Alabama. We camp at the state park. We have an RV and our daughter and her husband have a camper. I love the beach and we can stay a whole week for the same cost as a one night stay in a condo!
I’ve never been to Gulf Shores, but our youngest daughter went with her husband’s family and they all loved it!
I have never had a vacation. Sad to say.
Oh, Kim! You need to get a date on the calendar soon! When I was young, all our vacations were camping at the lake or if we had a good harvest, camping in the mountains. Our recent vacation was made possible by my mother-in-law’s generosity (our family also gave up Christmas gifts and saved the money toward this trip.) But at least a mini-vacation is a great break…sort of like a Sabbath. Hope you can do it soon!