7 Things Sunday… Experiences… 9.28.25
Hey good people, how’s it going? Happy Sunday!
Here’s something I don’t think I’ve said out loud on the blog, but it deserves space. As a family, we prioritize vacations. Not the flashy, Instagrammable kind (though those are fun too). I’m talking about experiences that expand our kids’ hearts and open their minds, whether that’s across the country or a quick three dollar trip to the lake.
Here are 7 thoughts on how travel shaped me and why I’m passing that gift on.
1. My First Trip Changed Everything
I was around seven years old when I took my first trip that I really remember. We took a three-day Greyhound bus ride to visit my aunt in Seattle, Washington. That trip left a mark. The changing scenery from countryside to desert to city felt magical. That journey didn’t just take me across the country, it planted a deep love for travel inside me that still lives there 30 years later.
2. Travel Doesn’t Have to Be Glamorous
Listen, I know social media will have you thinking family trips need to be luxurious, first class, and decked out in matching outfits. I’m here to say nope.
Travel is what you make it.
That could mean:
- A road trip to the next city
- A flight overseas
- A packed lunch and a day at the lake
It’s not about what it looks like. It’s about what it feels like for you and your family, however that family looks.
3. Kids Remember These Moments
You might think kids are too young to remember a vacation, but trust me, they’re not.
There is nothing like watching your children experience something new. The joy, the wonder, the curiosity. Even if they don’t remember the exact details, they’ll remember how it felt. And those feelings stick with them.
4. My Greyhound Memories
That three-day Greyhound trip? I remember:
- Sharing space with people of all ages and backgrounds
- Sleeping three-deep in a seat
- Long stretches between stops
- Striking up conversations with strangers who became part of the memory
We didn’t have debit cards. CD players were a luxury. People carried books or had cassette players. We stopped in places like El Paso, where the stations were dry, hot, and so real. Blue cinderblock walls, no restaurants, plastic hospital-style seating, and overpriced snacks. It was gritty. And unforgettable.
5. Now vs Then: Things Have Changed
Could I take a 3-day bus ride now? Whew. I’d like to say yes, but also, let’s be honest. These days, my nerves are more active. We’ve got phones to protect, purses clutched tighter, and stranger danger running higher. The world isn’t the same, but that doesn’t mean the adventure has to stop.
We just travel differently. But we still go.
6. Big City Energy Still Gives Me Butterflies
Whether it’s Sacramento, San Diego, Eugene, or Billings, that feeling of stepping off the bus or plane and placing your feet on new pavement still gives me a little jolt of joy.
That moment when you look left, look right, and soak it all in?
That moment matters.
And sharing it with your kids? Magic.
7. Take the Trip. Whatever That Looks Like.
I just wanted to encourage you, mama. Don’t wait for the perfect time or the perfect destination.
Take the trip.
Go somewhere new.
Try public transit.
Rent the scooter.
Pack up and hit the lake.
WALK
Show your kids, and remind yourself, that there is life outside the regular routine. The world is wild, beautiful, and yes, sometimes scary. But it’s worth seeing.
As always you can find me on Instagram at @Trapped in the South LA or on YouTube @Trapped in the South. Don’t be shy, let’s be social.
-A
