Thrifty Mommy

Not the typical thrifty vacation

by kellys on August 22nd, 2007

Kate over at Babylune has a great writing project going on that I wanted to let you know about.  So let us know about your favorite family vacation as a parent or as a kid and get in on the prize money.

I can sadly say that we don’t take family vacations.  Or at least not since we have been married.  I also didn’t grow up with family vacations.  I hope to give that to our kids though.  We are actually planning on my husband’s side of the family going to the beach every year starting next year so I hope that pans out.  But let me tell you of our last vacation.

My husband had a business trip to Phoenix planned and I got to go. Before we got to his business trip, we went to the Grand Canyon and Sedona.  It was the most beautiful site I ever saw.  I couldn’t believe it.  I do have to laugh at the look on my DH’s face when at 110 degrees, the lady told us we didn’t have air conditioning in our room.  He was devastated.  Turns out, it gets pretty chilly at night at the Grand Canyon.  Who would have known that?!?!  We slept just fine and I had the time of my life on that trip.

Once we got to Phoenix, we stayed at the Phoenician Resort, a 5 star resort that was to die for! They had more pools and staff than you could shake a stick at.  I got up in time to make it to water aerobics and then to lounge by the pool until lunch.  That consisted of raising my flag so that someone would bring me a menu and I could just charge it to my room.  Then I only had to walk to my luxury suite to get ready for whatever evening activity my husband had planned for us…  Well that was what happened but it wasn’t reality.  The hot dogs were $8 per dog and the pitcher of tea was $12.  I had to pay for everything myself so it wouldn’t get charged to our room and the nightly activities usually worked around his schedule.  But the pool was great!

I do have to admit that the sand storm that covered us was really cool.  We watched it come over the mountains and could literally not see our hands in front of our faces when we walked to the conference center that night.  Every afternoon, we would take off and go driving somewhere.  We really put the 4 wheel drive into action that week.  We rented 4 wheelers and took all kinds of tours that the regular cars couln’t get to.   We had the best time of our lives.  I loved that vacation.

Don’t get me wrong, we have taken little trips now and then but not anywhere fancy like that resort. Not since our honeymoon in Jamaica have I felt so spoiled. Of course, now we have kids but no money so being frugal with our vacations is more important than being spoiled.  The idea of going to the beach with my in-laws and their side of the family sounds like a dream because they are great with the kids!  Funny how life and the idea of vacation changes after a kid or 2.  HAHA!

So, Kate, I hope this is what you  were looking for.  I know I enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

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POSTED IN: family, travel