Our Hallowed Tradition, Starts Tomorrow!

It's here!  After waiting 357 days (because we had leap year) it's time for the Strickland family annual trek to Deer Valley Ranch.  Some families go to Grandma's every Thanksgiving, some go to Florida every year, I suppose some strange family may have as their tradition to go to the Arctic Circle every year.

As for us, we go to one of the most beautiful spots on the earth.  Deer Valley Ranch is more than just a place, it is a lifechanging event.  The first time we went, Jeff and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary.  Mariah was 8 and Evie was 6.  They were tiny!  I thought my chest would heave to explosion seeing them ride off on their own horses for their first trail ride.  Boy was I glad to see them coming back into the corral, with big ole smiles as wide as Colorado.  Their wrangler for that ride was Brady, who is now studying veterinary medicine.  What pure joy we've had watching them get to know the horses, hearing them talk every year about the friends they made at Deer Valley, knowing that for about half their lives they've spent their summer vacation with other likeminded families.  We chart their growth from year to year by having them photographed by the same fence in the same pose. 

Other wranglers we've loved through our 5 years there are Braden, Matt, Andy, Dustin, Jay, Chip, - I can't even begin to list them all.  Talk about quality young men!  I don't go there just to ride horses or swim in the warm springs pools.  No, I have a much more important mission.  I hunt.  Not with a shotgun or a bow and arrow, but with a pencil and paper.  Through out the week I write names on a list entitled "Potential Sons-In-Law".  A friend once exclaimed, after seeing for herself the choice young men at Deer Valley, "Why, this is a Son-in-law Smorgasbord!".  And yes, I am guilty.  I have my eye on several.  I won't embarrass anyone by naming them here.  Plus I already did that above. :-)  Just look up.

And the young ladies that work on staff - magnifique!  You'll never find a group of young women who without exception have a genuine servant's heart, patience like I have to have with my 11 year old talking machine, kindness, humility, and a extraordinary sense of humor.  They can sing, dance, clean, cook,  serve meals, bus tables, and some of them even get to show off their horseriding expertise.  So any of you moms of sons, let me know what you're looking for and I'll do a little recon for you. (Just kidding!  sort of)

Here's the clincher:  all these young people love Jesus and His people.  Some are fairly new in their faith when they get to Deer Valley, but it doesn't take long for them to see something more beautiful than Mount Princeton.  They see family, bosses who care more about their character than their waitressing or wrangling skills, staff who develop the kind of affection for one another that soldiers speak of from a fox hole, and a brand new kind of love they've never run across.  And it spills over.  Into everything they do. 

Deer Valley Ranch is a family vacation that blesses everyone involved.  As the stars above the ranch shine brilliantly every night - just as their Creator intended, the stars who work the ranch and serve there just about overshadow the ones counted, named and hung in the heavens.  And the funny thing is, THEY are the ones who insist that the biggest blessing belongs to them.  I still beg to differ on that one .....

Although I'm going to try to get some pictures posted everyday, internet (and life) is very slow and relaxed at the foot of Mt. Princeton.  It may take a while.  But once you see the pictures, I'm sure you'll want this information:

www.DeerValleyRanch.com

Send Bev or Franci an email at fun@deervalleyranch.com, they would love to set you up with the perfect cabin for your family.

I'll be'a moseyin off now. I'm excited to bring you along on our journey!

Blessings to you all,
Laurie

Memorial Day - Honoring Our Heroes By Name

Since we are about to go into the Memorial Day Weekend, I thought I would take a minute and do something we should all do more than once a year - honor those who have protected and are protecting our freedoms. These are soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that my family knows personally, some very well.  The list is by no means exhaustive, so I am counting on you to add to it.  You may do that either on the comment line below or on my business facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Legacy-Family-Travel/170872050930. 

• H.D. Strickland, USA, my father-in-law, served with Patton at the Battle of the Bulge
• George Strickland, USA, Jeff's uncle (who actually commissioned Jeff in 1981)
• Johnny Strickland, USA, Jeff's uncle
• Another Strickland Uncle, whose name escapes me at the moment (feel free to add)
• Frank E. Coggin, USMC, my uncle
• Patrick Coggin, USN, my uncle
• Terry Coggin, USA, my cousin
• Jeff Strickland, USA, my fabulous husband
• Joe Kier, USA, steadfast servant and mentor
• MAJ Bill Hecker, friend from West Point;  We also honor Bill's wife, Richelle, and his children in honor of their sacrifice, living life everyday without their husband and dad.
• William S. Wallace, USA, our squadron commander, 3/2ACR, Amberg, 1986-1988
• Nathanael Causey, USA, mentor, very close friend, life changer for the Strickland Family
• Cyndi Holland, USAF, wonderful friend who had to leave her < 1y/o son for Desert Shield/Storm
• Drew Holland, USAF, also a great friend, Godly man, and loyal American, still protecting us as a Colorado Springs Police Officer
• Brad Golden, USA, Jesus Follower, true friend to all he meets, Trek Director at MSC along with my sweet friend/his wife, Theresa
• Kevin Dailey, Active Duty, not sure which branch (somebody correct this, please), Godly leader of young men and women
• Michael Walsh, USA (?), kid and young adult leader extraodinaire, loves Jesus with all his heart
• Steve Hailes, USAF, our MSC AWANA co-founder (with his lovely wife, Mimi)
• Brian Little, USAF, Dr. Fun, faithful and trusted friend to many, lover of Jesus
• Wayne Strader, USA, currently serves us as a K-9 police officer with Colorado Springs Police Department
• Bryan Ponce, USN, AWANA Cubby Director at MSC
• David Chang USA, West Point Graduate-Class of 2002 (was supposed to be our son-in-law but is marrying someone else in July)
• Drew Hubbard, USA, still active duty, West Point Graduate-Class of 2002, father of very blessed twins
• Mike Lee, USA, West Point Graduate-Class of 2002,our adopted son
• Kimmy Hadley, USA, West Point Graduate-Class of 2002, and mother of 3 beautiful daughters
• Kevin Hadley, USA, West Point Graduate-Class of 2002, married to Kimmy
• Adam and Amy Clement, USA, still active duty, West Point Graduates-Class of 2002
• Luke Whitmer, USA, West Point Graduate-Class of 2002, still active duty, SF (I believe)
• Matt Emerson, USA, West Point Graduate-Class of 2003,now serves in AF Reserves as a fighter pilot
• Ryan Clay, USA, Ranger, West Point Graduate-Class of 2010, now serving in Afghanistan

All Powerful God, my prayer today is that these military servants and their families know how vital they are to this nation.  Whether they feel honored everyday or not, please bless them with the knowledge that they are doing something that counts.  Never let them become discouraged, always help them to see their importance in Your heart and ours.  Keep Your right hand of blessing on their families, particularly the Hecker family and those who continue life with a hole in their heart. Let their children and subsequent generations know that their family has been touched with a sacred calling.  Keep us mindful of all those who have lost and/or are hurting.  In Jesus name, Amen.

I know there are so many others that I've inadvertently left out.  Please, please add to this list.
And if you see someone's name mentioned here or in somebody else's comments, please alert them that they have been respectfully honored.

Thank you to all of our brave men and women; past, present and future.  I am humbled by your willingness to offer the ultimate sacrifice for my family.

In Honor of my Nephew, Andrew

STOP!  You can't read this unless you promise not to tell Andrew about this post.  It'll embarass him, and I don't want to do that during his special week.

I am excited!  My nephew, my parents' first grandchild, is graduating from high school this weekend.  I just can't believe that the baby boy who 'initiated me' properly on his second day of life is moving on to college.  Andrew was the apple of my parents' eyes, he is ALL they would talk about.  Until Emily came along.  Then their every conversation revolved around 'him' and 'her'.  They didn't even use their names.  As if every people group in the whole world was putting its entire thought life into 'what can we do for these babies?' like Granny and Pawpaw were doing.  Like I was supposed to automatically know who they were talking about!  In a store up in Estes Park, looking at toys;  "Frank, what do you think about this drum for him, and maybe this little doll for her?".  It really used to make me mad.  After all, they never talked about my husband's and my dogs like that.  To make matters even more traumatic, they put Andrew's crib in MY room, the one with the red carpet where I grew up!  And I can tell you I let them know right quick how I felt about that.  But it didn't matter.  It was for 'him'.  Then for 'her'.  (And besides I was already married and gone.)

Since Cindy's and my parents have both gone to that Great RV Park in the sky now (I hope they're parked next to Elvis!), Evie and I will be helping to represent the Parhams.  Cindy's and my step-mother will be there if at all possible, but she has a whole nother list of grandkids on her side who are graduating and getting married.  None the less, it makes me feel warm all over knowing that she will try her best.  Even if she doesn't make it, I am already grateful for her effort.

Anytime I reminisce about Mama and Daddy, my thoughts turn to travel.  In the realm of Andrew and Emily, they loved to take Andrew camping.  Mama died when Emily was just a little over 2 years old.  I don't recall whether they ever took her camping without my sister or not.  But I can remember the stories about taking Andrew.  Mama would tell me "He had the best time, just walking around, picking up rocks!", as if he had discovered both nuclear fusion AND fission in one weekend.  And, to that, I was supposed to jump around and act crazy because he performed such a marvelous feat.  Imagine the nerve they had - expecting me to be involved in their excitement!  That little interloper took my place!  I was the baby of the family!  Not 'HIM'!  Many a conversation started with "Guess what 'he' did???", and I would do my duty and ask what tremendous discovery he had come up with now.  Which ever ridiculously frenzied grandparent that was talking didn't seem to notice my complete and utter apathy.  They lived for those towheaded little kids.

And talked at length about how they were going to take them to Disney World, take them on an airplane somewhere just for dinner (Daddy worked for Delta and that was a possibility), Mama talked about doing an Alaskan cruise.  They had such plans to show their grandchildren everything they could.  You know from reading previous posts here that my sister and I saw more of the United States than some kids our age knew existed. And Granny and Pawpaw were moving on to the next generation.  They were going to create those memories for Andrew and Emily.

But life stepped in.  Mama was diagnosed a second time with melanoma, and in a few short months, it was all over.  Things were pretty tough for a while, as we each worked through our grief in various ways. But one thing never changed:  Pawpaw's love for his grandkids.  They were the reason he dragged himself out of a destructive fog and back into life.  He missed being their Pawpaw, the obvious center of Emily's universe and Andrew's best buddy.

I do believe that if it weren't for Andrew and Emily, we might not have seen 'our' Daddy again.  I'm not sure I've ever thought about it until now, but I think they were THE reason he came back to us. We had about 12 years with him before his lungs gave out. So I guess I ought to thank that interloper for doing something he probably doesn't know he did.

Now he has a ginormous scholarship to the same college where I met my beloved in 1980.  He's pretty happy about going to Mercer University - they have a Chick-fil-A in the food court!  More than that, they have the engineering program to which he feels drawn.  I would tell you what it is, but I'm sure it has more letters than I know.  He has so much going for him, he made like 8 gazillion on his SAT.

More importantly, he loves Jesus!  His heart has been in a continuous molding process in the Master's hands. Its funny that sometimes our purpose is clear, and we strive everyday to get to it and give it our all.  And sometimes our purpose doesn't really show up for many years.  There has already been a great purpose for Andrew's life.  And now he's been given another one.  I pray he depends on God to show him what it is.  He'll do it with all his heart.  This I know.

So here I go, creating memories for my little one, for me, for us, for our family.  Flying on an airplane to the biggest family event we've had in a long time. Granny and Pawpaw might not be sitting in the seats with us watching, but the pride they feel in their grandson will undoubtedly be somehow present. 

Mickey Mouse, The Hunger Games, and Perception, Part III

Part III

And Now, The Moral of Our Story

This week I saw yet another disturbing story out of Mexico.  Warring drug cartels are playing their own version of The Hunger Games right out in public.  The result is an epidemic of torture and death on all sides.  So who is up for a vacation in Mexico????  Well, I am!

Nuevo Laredo is a town that sits right at the border of Mexico and Texas, south of San Antonio.    Let’s take a look at some numbers.  You all know I am a Math geek, and this is how I make sense of the world.

One of the most popular Mexico vacation destinations for North American travelers is Cancun.  To give us some frame of reference, think of Mexico as an upside down cornucopia; its large mouth at the top where Mexico meets the U.S., the small pointy end curves down and to the right.  Cancun is all the way down to the tip of the pointy end.  The Gulf of Mexico is kind of cradled by Mexico on its west and south sides. 

Here is a little map that might help:

Now, the driving distance from Nuevo Laredo to Cancun is 2,545 km, or about 1,582 miles.  Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula is also a very popular destination for Americans and Canadians.  Nuevo Laredo is separated from Cabo San Lucas by 1739 km, approximately 1082 miles.  The current red-headed step child (no offense to those of you who are either/or/both) of Mexico according to the U.S. media is Mazatlan, which sits about even with Cabo San Lucas on the western edge of Mexico proper, across the Sea of Cortez.  The distance from the violence?  1110 km,  690 miles or so.

Yesterday we determined that Walt Disney World is 1100 miles from New York City.  Yet Laura Beth, your friend and roommate, was very anxious about visiting WDW because of the violence in New York City.  And you gently helped her to understand that just because she sees stories of violence concerning NYC, there is no direct correlation between that violence and her family being harmed if they visit Disney World.

Likewise, in spite of the sensationalistic news stories we see regarding violence in Mexico, Cancun, Cabo and Mazatlan are still very safe destinations.  Who wants to see you get hurt less than you do?  The resorts!!!  They want you to feel safe, comfortable, pampered and confident about their destination so that you can come home and tell your friends.

The bottom line here is please don’t be afraid of Mexico.  You will be in good hands, your family will be protected.  Abide by the guidelines you offered to Laura Beth above.  Use your brain, don’t do stupid things, and there is left only a slight, miniscule, Lilliputian possibility that your family will be troubled by violence.

These three destinations and others, like Central Florida, survive by tourism.  They are hurting.  They need our business and support.  Due to that fact, pricing is incredible right now. 

If you are looking for a safe, fun, all-inclusive option for your family’s vacation this year, do yourself a favor and let me investigate Mexico for you.  I’ve personally been to Mazatlan, Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta.  I missed the call at Cabo San Lucas because I had to stay on the cruise ship with a sick girly, but my husband and older daughter say that Cabo is their favorite Mexico destination.  (It is the home of El Arco, Land’s End.)

As a teaser, check this out:

http://www.travimp.com/hotel.php?msg=sjdpbs

Then give me a call!  719.683.8733, 888.87LEGACY

Please like us on Facebook, too!

Thank you for allowing me to serve you as Your Favorite Travel Agent.  My family appreciates your business, your trust and your loyalty.  99% of my new business comes through referrals.  If you have friends or family looking for help in planning their travel, I’d love for you to pass them my name.  Referrals that result in a completed booking are nicely rewarded!

Mickey Mouse, The Hunger Games, and Perception, Part II

Yesterday we were discussing your imaginary friend from London who wanted to bring her children to the United States, but fear was threatening to keep her safely (or so she thought) across the Atlantic.  As promised, here is Part II.

You say to Laura Beth, your close friend of many years, “I certainly understand your concern and appreciate your caution.  Let’s look at your fears with some perspective.  Maybe I can help you get a little context.” 

You don’t have it in you to judge unfairly Laura Beth’s desire to keep her family out of harm’s way.

New York City can be a violent place, you admit to her.  You’ve lived there a long, long time.

First, you present her with some facts.  The vast majority of violence in New York City is attributed to gang activity and turf wars.  Illegal drugs play a huge role in this tempest.  Yes, unfortunately innocent lives are sometimes affected.  But no more than anywhere else, whether large city or small.  The best prevention: research ahead of time and know where NOT to go; never involve yourself in any illegal activity; use your head and your feet – if you have followed the first two hints and still something feels wrong, walk away.  Curiosity – well, sometimes it can be a not so good thing.  Just ask the cat.

Next, talk about distance.  So she may not ever want to visit you in New York City.  Accept that.  But why avoid The Happiest Place on Earth (besides Costco) because of violence somewhere else in the country.  You tell her that Walt Disney World is in Central Florida, and that is a LONG way from NYC.  In fact, it is over a thousand miles – roughly 1,100 miles. 

Further, convey to her that the theme parks, Orlando, and all of Central Florida know very well about her concerns – they also watch the news and read the paper.  They have top notch security at all levels and in all venues.  Don’t be afraid to take a taxi from a hotel, to eat in a restaurant on a main thoroughfare, to shop in a tourist district.  Destinations or activities which desperately rely on tourists’ dollars are extraordinarily pro-active in their security.    Your safety truly is their top priority.

Assure Laura Beth that in a good way, there is always someone watching in Central Florida.  The Floridians’ value the act of NOT paying state income tax – they MUST have tourists.  And it would look pretty bad for them if the state had out of control violence and murder.  In particular, Central Florida is one of THE safest places in the world.  Of course you can’t guarantee her that absolutely nothing bad will ever happen – no one can give that guarantee, even in London – her own hometown.

Let her know that to judge all of the United States, or one small part of it, based on the media’s portrayal of another small part of it, does harm to so many.  You tell Laura Beth that she would be shortchanging herself and her children if she lets fear conquer her desire to show her family the world.  The give her the phone number for Your Favorite Travel Agent.

Tomorrow: Perception!

Mickey Mouse, The Hunger Games, and Perception 

When I was growing up in Atlanta, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my sister and I would often play “Tend Like”.  “Tend like” was actually the phrase we used to give direction to ourselves and to each other during the game.   For example, I might have said “Tend like we are going to a fancy dance with our boyfriends.  I’ll tend like my boyfriend is David Cassidy”, to which Cindy might say in return “Then my boyfriend is Bobby Sherman”.   And so the game would proceed as we pretended that we were putting on make-up (we probably used mud and/or dirt) and getting dressed for an evening with our distinguished dates.  David and Bobby never showed up - we probably got bored with the game just after they stood us up so we would eventually quit.  It was unbelievably fun, although to the current iGeneration it probably sounds about as much fun as watching a black and white TV that you actually had to get up and walk across the room to change the channel.**  Tend Like was a terrific way for us to learn empathy and how to relate to people in various situations. 

**My side note is that my Mother was very convenience-minded and DID have remote control back in those days.  She had two of them.  Their names were Cindy and Laurie.  "Girls!", she'd yell to the back of the house.  "Come in here and put the TV on the Braves game". But I digress..... 

Today, I would like to play “tend like” with you.  Are you ready?

Imagine (tend like) you live in New York City.  You have a job you enjoy with people who treat you with respect and give you opportunities for growth and promotion.  The friends you have made join you often at concerts, Broadway productions, street vendors and all things NYC.  Your opinion is that you have the life that everyone else can only drool over, and you live in the most exciting city in the world.  So far, so good.

Your long-time college roommate, who is originally from and now lives in London, calls and suggests that she would like to bring her children for a visit the United States.  We’ll give her a completely random name – Laura Beth.  And randomly name the school you both attended – say, maybe Mercer University.  You’ve not seen Laura Beth in almost 15 years, and this news sends you to the moon!  You shriek like Gus and Sean in an episode of “Psyche”.  You ask her “When and where would you like to visit?”.  She replies that her kidlets have never been to Walt Disney World and are having a fit to see Mickey Mouse next Fall.

 In your mind the wheels are turning – how can you surprise her once she gets to Orlando?  You held each other’s hands through some pretty difficult times while and since you shared a room so long ago.  Your excitement quickly crescendos to mind-boggling  heights, and all you can think about is the moment you will have that sweet surprise reunion with one who has contributed so much to your life.

You immediately start making your post-phone call list:

·         Contact Your Favorite Travel Agent (you know who that is, right?) and ask her to book your WDW package and possibly Laura Beth’s package as well.

·         Purchase new warm weather gear and comfortable shoes.

·         Find someone to take care of your dogs for the week you are gone.

·         Stop the mail, the paper, the milk.

·         Call your neighbor and ask her to water your plants.

Your mental exercise continues as the list grows. How fabulous it will be to see your cherished friend again!!!

Then, you are stunned into speechlessness when you hear the following coming from the telephone: 

“It makes me nervous, though, to think about bringing my kids to a country plagued with such savagery.” 

“Savagery?”, you think to yourself.  “ Really?  You mean the country where I live???”?

And this information comes from what source???  Finding your voice, you ask her just that.  Why ”The Mirror” she says, London’s quasi-equivalent to USA Today.  She explains that she reads articles every single day about how New Yorkers are killing each other at an expeditious rate, and everybody who is anybody knows that the United States has a reputation for brutal carnage.  After all, she sees this kind of news on the television, too.  Surely with two such reliable sources, this must be Truth (with a capital T!).

You think to yourself that you are a New Yorker, you feel safe in your city.  Does that make you an idiot, does it mean you have been hiding your head in the sand?  In fact, you get a little offended by her assumption that you’ve naively chosen to subject yourself to a dangerous city every day of your life.

Laura Beth then wonders aloud if it is worth putting her little family into inescapable peril just to see an amiable rodent.  An intelligent, confident, educated woman is Laura Beth.  She is a thinker.  As for you - the idea that she has such fear of the United States just can't find a place to settle in your brain.  To be afraid of America, the land of the free, home of the (and because of the) brave?  

 “I’ll be traveling without my husband this time – it’s a little disconcerting to imagine myself flying solo with the kiddos and finding my way around America, a country so rife with indiscriminate violence; where every day, Joe Normal is simply walking home from work and gets shot in the head.  Or worse!”

Oh my goodness! Dumbfounded, you wonder what in the world you are going to say.

 Well, I’ll tell you.  Tomorrow.

 In the meantime, tell me what is going through your mind about now. Sincerely strive to put yourself in this New Yorker’s shoes. 

Your thoughts???

Where Did The Year Go?

Everyday I would think to myself "I really need to update my Legacy Family Travel blog!", and everyday, til now, I never did it.

For now, I'll just give you a brief overview of what is happening currently:

Today, Royal Caribbean announced their 2013 Alaskan Cruises and Cruisetours!!!  I will be putting some groups together for roundtrip from Seattle, North or South bound 7-night cruises, and best of all, 10-13 night cruisetours.  Grab some friends and make your deposit early for best pricing.

Also, Royal  Caribbean is offering Military and Police pricing on some sailings for this Spring and Summer. Destinations include Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Bermuda and Alaska.

Come August of this Summer I will be leading a group a group of intrepid travelers to Alaska.  We will set sail from Vancouver on August 12 for a 7 night cruise aboard MS Stadendam, then spend 7 days on land in the interior of Alaska to experience even more of our Last Frontier.  I have 4 more staterooms available.  Let me know if you want one.  The link for this particular sailing is as follows:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseTourDetails.action?subProductCode=AD3&portCode=YVR&durationCode=3&dateCode=8_2012&flexibleMonths=false&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&pageNumber=1&tourId=T2AD7C&voyageCode=S240&webItineraryIdForAudit=ANS207D7C
(Not sure why I can't get this link to be hot, please copy and paste into your browser.)

Disney's newest ship Disney Fantasy sailed into New York Harbor last week.  She will soon begin making 7 night journeys to Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral.  A Disney cruise is like no other.  You have to experience it to believe it!  Take a look at the Disney Fantasy's entrance into New York here:

http://maritimematters.com/2012/03/disney-fantasy-a-new-york-maiden-arrival/ 

And last but certainly not least, Deer Valley Ranch has a few openings left for the Summer.  Don't wait to book your week - reservations have a tendency to get taken up pretty quickly at Deer Valley. For those of us in Colorado, this is a non-air required vacation, cutting your vacation costs considerably.  If you love the mountains, the outdoors, horses, hiking, whitewater rafting, the best service anywhere around, and eating great homecooked meals, this may be for you. Take a look at this family haven at www.deervalleyranch.com .  Maybe you'll join my family the first week of June????  Give me a call and let's see what we can arrange. 

Thank you so much for reading my blog.  Since 99% of my business is word-of-mouth referrals, I'd sure appreciate it if you would tell at least one person about my blog, my facebook page, and my website.  Referrals that result in a booking get nice gifts once the booking is complete.

Hope you all have a beautiful day!  Happy Vacationing!

Blessings,
Laurie