The Little Trips That Carried Us Through

When Luke and I were just starting out with Lily, big vacations were not in the cards. Every dollar went toward the basics. Rent. Groceries. School clothes. Gas money. Making sure there was enough at the end of the month to keep everything moving forward.

There were seasons of life where even thinking about a “real vacation” felt impossible.

But even during those years, we still found ways to adventure.

That became one of the greatest gifts we ever gave ourselves as a family.

Instead of dreaming only about faraway places, we started looking closer to home. California became our playground. Day trips became our vacations. A tank of gas, a picnic lunch, and a willingness to say yes to something new became enough to completely reset our hearts.

One of our favorite places was Columbia State Historic Park. Somehow Columbia became our safe place.

Lily and I had this unofficial pact when she was growing up: if one of us had a terrible day, we went to Columbia. Bad week? Columbia. Stress? Columbia. Feeling overwhelmed by life? Columbia.

We would wander those old streets like we owned them. We would walk through the shops, watch gold panning demonstrations, sit on the benches with turkey sandwiches and chips, or wander into the old saloon for a sarsaparilla. When we had a little extra money, we would treat ourselves to tea at Kate’s Teahouse, sitting in the eclectic little garden feeling like we had escaped somewhere magical. I knew those streets so well I could probably still walk them with my eyes closed.

Looking back now, I think part of the reason I loved Columbia so much was because it reminded me of my own childhood. There was something comforting about it. Nostalgic. It felt like proof that joy did not belong only to people with money.

One of my favorite memories happened around Christmas. Lily and I were wandering through town when we stopped outside the famous candy shop, completely mesmerized watching the candy maker working through the window. Every year, people entered a lottery for the chance to make ribbon candy or candy canes with him. We had no idea. We were just standing there admiring everything like tourists.

Then suddenly he spotted us. He waved us inside. Out of nowhere, Lily and I found ourselves making our own candy canes together in this tiny magical candy shop. It was one of those completely unexpected moments that you never plan for and somehow never forget.

Not expensive resorts.Not luxury hotels.Not giant travel budgets. A spontaneous candy cane in Columbia.

We had adventures everywhere we could afford. We would head to Santa Cruz with discount coupons from soda bottles so we could afford cheap Boardwalk wristbands. Sometimes we would splurge on the Mystery Spot when we found a really good coupon. Other times we would grab a baguette, salami, and snacks from the grocery store and sit by the ocean watching the waves crash for hours.

Those little adventures carried us through some hard years.

And the beautiful thing is that today, finding those adventures is easier than ever. When we were younger, we did not have Pinterest boards, TikTok travel creators, Instagram reels, Facebook groups, travel blogs, or Google Maps lists helping us discover hidden gems nearby. Today, entire worlds are sitting at our fingertips. You can literally search “best hidden spots within two hours of me” and instantly find waterfalls, tiny historic towns, roadside diners, beaches, hiking trails, quirky museums, glamping resorts, small town festivals, or family-run cafes you never knew existed.

Sometimes starting an adventure is simply deciding to stop waiting for the “perfect time.” Because the truth is, we all need moments that break us out of our routines. We need moments that remind us there is still beauty and excitement close to home. Sometimes seeing something new, even something small, can completely shift your mood and your perspective.

Sometimes we do not need a two-week international vacation. Sometimes we just need to see something different.

A different street.

A different beach.

A different small town.

A different sunset.

A different memory than the one we made yesterday.

So here is my challenge to you:

What is somewhere within two hours of your home that you have never explored?

What tiny adventure could you say yes to this month?

Who could you invite along?

Because adventure does not belong only to people with unlimited budgets. Some of the most meaningful memories my family ever created came from a packed lunch, a cheap coupon, and the willingness to go see something new together. The best adventures are the ones waiting just down the road. Here’s to finding more of them, together we trek.