"Teacher and Traveler" introduction.
When I was growing up my parents took my three siblings and me on a yearly summer vacation to visit our extended family. We alternated between seeing my father’s family in Minnesota, my mother’s family in Vermont, and my grandmother who lived in Florida. Although none of the places that we visited was tourist attractions, it was the feeling of going on an adventure that I really enjoyed. Our trips were the highlight of my childhood and, once I started a family of my own, I knew that I wanted to give my children this same sense of adventure. The difference between my parents and me is that they went on their vacations out of a sense of filial duty. Today, since my whole family lives nearby, I knew that I could take the kids anywhere that I wanted. The only reason to go on a trip, then, was to make some memories. Our vacations have helped to bind us together through shared experiences. I know that this i...