The Scenic Route

We just got back from a family vacation. I knew before we left home that the phrase is an oxymoron. But with three kids, it’s family vacation or no vacation. Experts say that travel is good for children; it expands their horizons, provides perspective and can even raise their SAT scores. But only if they look out the window.

We flew to San Francisco, then drove scenic Highway 1 to San Diego. Along this route is some of the most stupendous scenery in America. The road winds and twists along the ragged coast, offering breathtaking panoramas at every turn, and with each curve, the real possibility that at least one kid will blow lunch. We pulled over to the side of the road a lot – but it wasn’t to admire the view. In fact, my children never even saw the beautiful coastline. They were too busy reading comic books.

“Look at the landscape!” I yelled to the back of the van as we approached Monterey. “This is some of the most incredible scenery in America.”

No one heard me. They were engrossed in the antics of the Fantastic Four, X-Men and Archie. They were on a completely different vacation.