Not all the interviewed vacation-loving mamas here are also travel writers. I’d like to introduce the world to Kim Allen-Niesen. She used to be a super high-powered lawyer, but (a familiar tale) found that her demanding 24/7 career path didn’t mesh at all with the demands of parenthood. Since stepping off that treadmill, however, she’s put her energy into use at a new blog that combines her love of travel with her love of independent bookstores. BookStorePeople supports independent bookstores Kim has discovered during family vacations. She’s traveled with her children quite a bit, and puts those experiences to good use as well.
How do you decide where to go with your family?
When we were younger, Keith (my husband) and I decided we would travel internationally until our children were born, and then we would travel domestically, which we did for a while. Now we narrow our vacation choices down by what the kids are studying at school – ancient history in 6th grade meant Greece, American government meant DC, expansion to the West meant following Lewis and Clark by hiking and canoeing. In 3rd grade the kids visit every continent in their school studies, so we visited different parts of Los Angeles and ate at ethnic restaurants. American history led us to Williamsburg, California history to a week up north. This year Kyle (a freshman) and Kelsey (6th grade) study ancient history so we’re planning to visit Italy (and hoping also that the dollar gets stronger against the euro).
What has been your favorite travel experience?
Which has been the best family trip is the hardest question for me. We either have a good time of a good story to tell, and both have value. What appeals to me, and most of my family, is something that gives us a new experience, challenges us, and gives us time to explore. We’re not resort people or destination people. We loved Peru and trekking through the Andes, we loved going to England, the train ride to Scotland and the Edinburgh Festival. Our big annual family vacation is usually 16 days long and we come back exhausted, but in a refreshing way. Yellowstone is one of our favorites because of everything we learned with the rangers (I’m a park ranger groupie), the beautiful hikes and the incredible nature all around us. Canoeing down the Missouri was incredible – our only previous canoe experience was around Tom Sawyer Island at Disneyland. We camped, we hiked, we learned about the area and our country’s history.
Do you have any advice regarding traveling with children and young teens?
I could write a book about this – but here are some bullet points:
a. Read about the area beforehand. When the kids were younger, I read novels to them out loud. Now I find books for them to read (usually fiction) while we’re there and before we go.
b. Make the education fun through games, events with park rangers, guides, or local kids’ programs.
c. Start teaching your kids how to travel, put them in charge of researching a location (my son helped helped plan our trip to Greece), researching an item of their choice at a museum you will visit, or even just planning for a meal once we arrive at a destination.
d. Don’t limit yourself to only things that are geared towards children; you are on vacation too, and they can learn how to act through an activity that isn’t their favorite. But, also make sure that everyone has at least one special activity that they will love.
Tell us about travel destinations and bookstores.
For years, I’ve looked at independent bookstores whenever I travel. They are such a great way of getting a
feel for the community, plus it’s easy for me to talk about books with anyone. After talking to a clerk I feel like less of a visitor voyeur of a city, and more connected to the place. In the last few years I’ve started researching the stores before I leave home and plan the sightseeing around the independent bookstores. I walk in a bookstore and immediately relax, so it’s a good break wherever I am.
Supporting independent bookstores is an important part of keeping cities and small towns interesting. The unique vibes at family-run businesses add personality and color to places in the US, vacation destinations or not. Check Kim out at BookStorePeople, watch the site grow and learn about independent bookstores.
