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Atlanta {Sweet Spot}

The view from our Hotel room, 63rd floor
As a sufferer of wanderlust, I have always loved to travel.  Though having roots, and my feet firmly planted at home - exploring new places is a constant itch for me.  So nothing tops traveling with my family, and witnessing the amazement of newness through their eyes.

We traveled to Atlanta this past weekend, just to experience a place that is different from our own. We had a great trip - eating at the legendary Varsity, seeing the Whale sharks and Manta Rays of the Georgia Aquarium, and staying on the 63rd floor of the high rise Westin Hotel (which also had the coolest indoor pool ever). On our excursion on the MARTA (Atlanta's subway), I told Jessica that it occurs to me that we are officially in the sweet spot of family travel.

What I mean is this: when our children were babies, and toddlers - our family travel was challenging.  It was fun to go new places together, but almost impossible to make spontaneous decisions - or pursue a new adventure that may take time and energy.  We appreciated our trips for what they were, at that particular time of our family life.
  
But this past summer, we took our longest family road trip yet, spending 4- 5 days circling through West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. We had a great time, and found that we were now nimble enough (and our children old enough) for all four of us to truly enjoy travelling together. For me, it was a game changer - as travel and family are incredible dear to my heart and soul.
The Varsity.
And, though I hesitate to speak for them - Jessica and the kids are equally excited about our new found travel skills.  Upon my booking a hotel in Atlanta, Jessica got so excited that she spontaneously bought tickets for our family to go to Medieval Times for dinner. 

It.  Was.  Incredible.
Peachtree Station MARTA
So, I am doing my best to really soak up this time with Jessica and the kids, especially when we travel.  But you know what?  It is hard to soak it up.  It is hard to simply be in the moment - and emotionally grasp the amazement of it all.  It is almost too big, and I am tempted to look ahead to the next adventure.  

 But I will not give up on the moment - and this past weekend, I could tell that I was allowing the beauty of it to fall over me.  It felt amazing. 

 And I am happy. 








Amazing Westin Pool
Avery, underneath the Manta Rays, GA Aquarium

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