I love summer vacations for the wonderful gift that they are to experience new destinations together. But sometimes, a repeat visit to a familiar place can provide excellent new memories built upon treasured times of the past.
Growing up, my family had our favorite repeat destinations that provided almost a stability to our vacation routine and a less hectic adventure, since we weren’t really headed into the great unknown. Jackrabbit Mountain is one of those places for my boys.
They’re willing to hike the entire 3.1 mi trail without complaining or taking more than four snack breaks. Like most hikes, they collect rocks and leaves and pinecones and other random objects. But this trail is where Ashton first located holly after learning about it in school (Florida boys). It’s where they first saw bear poop in the wild. I’m not sure any memory of the changing leaves or climbing through fallen post-hurricane limbs will ever compare to THAT.
And when you wake up the first morning of family vacation with no planned activity, an old favorite is hard to pass up. Not to mention, after a road trip day, it’s good to stretch your legs together and head out to explore the great outdoors, just to see if anything has changed since you last paid it a visit.