My dad cheeses it up in London with my mom, Judy.
This is my dad, Ed, and he, along with my mom, Judy, encouraged and supported travel for our family. My sister Suz and I were lucky to go on many memorable trips. I think I’ve always had the travel bug, but my parents certainly introduced it to me. This post is for you dad.
My dad holding a hibiscus flower to my head.
The Big Island, Hawaii, 1988. This was a family vacation. What I remember most about this trip was that somehow my dad was able to talk his way into getting towels at the Mauna Kea resort hotel. For an afternoon we all hung out at the beach of one of the most amazing hotels in the world.
My dad and I in Germany.
Köln, Germany, 1995. I was traveling in Europe as a travel writer and updater covering the Netherlands for the Berkeley Guides, a budget travel guide series. My dad had business in Maastricht, Netherlands. We met there and then hopped a train to Köln for the day. I also remember being so psyched to stay in a hotel since I’d been hosteling it through Holland. I think I devoured the breakfast buffet at the Tulip Inn all by myself.
My dad and I above the Danube in Hungary.
Visegrád, Hungary. 2006. Here we are in one of the beautiful locations for the wedding of a good family friend.
Hanging out at a bus stop in Ukraine.
Ukraine, 2006. After the wedding in Hungary, we traveled to Ukraine and spent time with friends who live in Kiev. The entire trip was incredible. Thanks Mom and Dad!
_____________________________________________________________
Kurt and Eddie digging a hole at Manly Beach, Australia
This post is also for my husband, Kurt, who is an amazing dad to our kids, Eddie and Kasey. After all, he was Mr. Mom when we lived in Australia in 2010. He played footy with Kasey and Eddie as well as Eddie’s friends at the Alberton Oval every day after school in South Australia. And no one can polish Kasey’s nails and fix her ponytails better than Kurt can.
Kurt and Kasey wandering along the coast of Exmouth, Western Australia.
Kurt, Kasey and Eddie walking along a bridge to Granite Island off the coast of Victor Harbour, South Australia.
________________________________________________________
Finally, this post is for all the other inspiring dads out there during my travels.
A dad helping his daughter learn how to ride her bike in St. Maarten.
A dad towing his kids in sleds and introducing them to hockey in Minnesota, USA.
My friend Kate is escorted down the aisle by her dad, Joska Borika, in Viségrad, Hungary.
Here is Joska ripping it up on the dance floor at Kate’s reception. She is wearing traditional Hungarian dress, but you could barely see her since her dad was twirling her so fast.
Travel Oops 
Steph so I am responsible for your wander lust for travel—– Great times !!
Dad
Yep! However, I think I had it from the start, but yes, papa, you and mom got it going. Love you and Happy Father’s Day! 🙂
What a lovely post, Steph! Great to see your parents, they are such fun loving people, so full of zest for life! Really enjoyed the pictures too, my favorite — the eighth one from top 🙂
Thank you, Uday! Yep — my parents and my sister are pretty awesome. We have good times and lots of laughs. Laughing and keeping a good sense of humor has always been an important of my upbringing. Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m glad you can see the zest! Cheers 🙂
Wonderful post. It’s great that you’ve been able to travel so often with your father.
Thanks, Julie! Yeah — my dad has been a great travel buddy. We’ve only had one major meltdown on a trip. It was while on a road trip from Minneapolis to San Francisco when I was 24. I believe the incident happened in New Mexico after a 10-hour day of driving and it was over a coffee cake that I was scarfing down and getting sticky crumbs all over the car. But all our other trips have been a blast.
Love this! Looks like you’ve had a lot of fun with your obviously awesome dad!
Thanks, Jessica! Yeah, my dad is awesome and we travel well together. I’m really lucky because my mom and sister are great to travel with, too. My mom is always trying to figure out “one last family vacation” with all of us together. We’ve had a few of “last” family vacations.
Thanks again for your comment! Cheers 🙂
Haha. A few “last” family vacations. That’s wonderful! 🙂
Haha. A few “last” family vacations. That’s wonderful! 🙂
Enjoyed the photos and memories. Great post.
Thank you so much, Debra — I’m so glad to have the memories in the first place! Cheers — Steph