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 Have
Kids, Will Travel (or Sail)
Some of my fondest childhood
memories involve a boat. Not too hard to imagine when you
grew up about 30 minutes from the Florida Panhandle (I am
from Southeast Alabama, if you are wondering.) We had a
family boat that we would take with us to Florida every
weekend. It wasn’t a fancy boat, but it served its
purpose. We would unload it into the Bay and for most
part, calmly float around, maybe do some occasional
fishing, but mainly float and talk and bond. I really
didn’t think anything of it – floating around the boat was
family time, well, until I was a teenager and then I
didn’t want to be near my family, much less sit and talk
with them. My parents sold the boat during my junior year
in high school. At the time, I didn’t think too much of
it. When I went off to college and my father passed away,
I remembered the boat in a new light. It was more than a
boat; it was something that brought our family together.
I didn’t plan to write about boats
for my premiere travel column, but while searching the
web, I came across an interesting statistic that made me
think about our boat. In a recent survey conducted by
Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), 87
percent of Americans believe that fishing and boating have
a positive effect on family relationships. People
surveyed also believe that fishing and boating are the
best ways to spend quality time with their families.
Wow, just to think, my family and others were ahead of
their time.
We live in a fast-paced time with
our DSL Internet, digital television, and so on, that we
sometimes forget to slow down and enjoy some things – like
family bonding. I believe since September 11, American
families and perhaps families around the world are looking
for more ways to bond and get to know each other again.
Take it from someone who knows, being on a small boat can
make up for lost time.
The best thing about boating – you
don’t have to spend a lot of money! I am not suggesting
going out and buying a yacht, hiring crew, and sailing
your family from Florida to the Caribbean (but if you do,
please give me a call). There are places that rent boats
on lake and at beaches. If you want to try something
smaller, rent a canoe and paddle across a lake. If your
family is more adventures, go kayaking. The possibilities
are endless.
If you are new to boating or just
want more information, I suggest going to the almighty
Internet and using a search engine, plug in ‘boating’.
There will be a plethora of web sites for you to review.
I suggest starting with a boating safety site and then
exploring the site about boating requirements for your
state. From there, review your options of boating – can
you rent a boat? canoe? Price it out and decide what is
affordable for your family. This might be a one time
adventure or a once a month adventure.
Get your family involved in the
decision making, really embarrass your children by playing
some Jimmy Buffet or Caribbean style music while driving
out to your boating adventure (add to their embarrassment
by singing loudly and making up your own words.) Most of
all enjoy the time with your family; I guarantee that your
children will cherish the experience.
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