Those Summer Facebook Memories

 

The Trips That Made Us: Reflecting on Summers Past

Every morning lately, Facebook has been serving up those little memory notifications, and I can’t help but smile. A photo of our girls with goofy grins in Disney. A snapshot of sandy toes from a long-ago Emerald Isle beach trip. A sun-kissed hike through a national park.

I love reflecting on the many family adventures we’ve had. These little moments in my Facebook memories are like postcards from the past, reminding me just how many summers we’ve spent exploring, laughing, and making memories together.

As two teachers, summer was our family time. It was the season when we could step away from the classroom, focus on each other, and create the stories that would become part of our family’s history. Vacations weren’t just trips, they were our chance to reconnect after the busyness of the school year.

The Beauty of Looking Back

Scrolling through these memories, I’m reminded that our best trips weren’t always the fanciest or the farthest away.

✨ Our Top 5 Favorite Family Trips

1. Fifteen summers at Emerald Isle – Beach walks, sandcastles, and annual family photo shoots that still make me smile.
   

   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Disney with the girls when they were little – Wide-eyed wonder and running excitedly from character to character.

   

   
   
   
   

3. That adventure in Belize – Bright colors, snorkeling, and everything feeling colorful and vibrant.

   

   

   
   
   
   

4. Exploring Hawaii and Alaska- Two different vacations, a year apart and the beginning of sharing this world with our girls

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

   
   

5. Our national park trips – Always starting with Grand Teton and expanding to Arches, Banff, Glacier, and beyond.

   

   

   

It’s funny, when I look at those photos now, I don’t just see where we went; I feel who we were in that moment. That’s the magic of family travel, it captures time in a way nothing else can.

Travel Evolves, But the Heart of It Stays the Same

As the girls have grown, our trips have changed. There are fewer princess breakfasts and more coffee shop stops, fewer theme park marathons and more hikes with long conversations about college, careers, and what’s next. But the heart of it, spending time together, exploring somewhere new, hasn’t changed at all. I continue to look forward to the time we get to spend together as a family, and am anxiously trying to collaboratively plan another family vacation soon!

And if anything, these summer reflections remind me why I’m so passionate about helping other families do the same: every family has its own version of Emerald Isle or Grand Teton, the kind of place that becomes part of your family story.

If you’re ready to start building your version of those memories, the trip your kids will talk about for years, I’d love to help. Together, we can brainstorm destinations, design a trip that works for everyone, and make sure you’re not just taking a vacation…you’re creating the kind of moments that will pop up in your memories for years to come.

Your Turn—What Do You Remember Most?

If you’re anything like me, your summer vacation memories aren’t just about where you went, but how you felt.

So, here’s my question for you: What trip is popping up in your memories right now? What little moments still make you smile?

Pull out those photos. Share a story at dinner. Better yet, start dreaming about your next great family adventure, because someday, that trip will show up in your memories, too.

Here’s to many more summers full of “remember when” moments.

The Retired Rahns: Stop #1 – Fredericksburg, Virginia

 One night. One fun adventure. One unforgettable launch to our new season of life.

Now that Don and I are both officially retired (finally!), it’s time to put our motto into action: Seldom a dull moment. We’re embracing spontaneous escapes, meaningful experiences, and as much family time as we can get.

So we kicked off our "Retired Rahns" tour with an easy overnight trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia, a  town full of history, heart, and a whole lot of flavor. Bonus? We got to spend it with Carleigh and Elisabeth, spending time with them in their happy place is always an added bonus!!

🏨 Where We Stayed: The Publisher Hotel

This beautiful hotel blends modern luxury with historic roots—and we were smitten from the start. The Publisher sits on the old site of The Free Lance–Star newspaper, and the building itself is part tribute to Fredericksburg’s legacy and part boutique retreat. Think: marble bathrooms with rainfall showers, cozy sitting areas, and balconies for morning coffee chats. The location couldn’t be better, right at the edge of downtown and totally walkable.

It felt like the perfect metaphor for where we are in life: honoring the past, leaning into the future, and enjoying the view from a new chapter. The Publisher Hotel

📚 Shopping, Strolling & Scoops

Fredericksburg’s downtown is made for wandering. We let curiosity (and Carleigh) guide the afternoon. https://fxbg.com/  Some of our stops included:

Riverby Books – A cozy shop filled with vintage titles, literary treasures, and the perfect used-bookstore vibe.

Anita’s Gelato – Because every adventure deserves a sweet reward. We taste-tested our way through the flavors—highly recommend the raspberry .

🦪 Dinner at The Port: Oysteria & Brewery

Dinner at The Port Oysteria & Brewery was the perfect way to wind down and escape the heat. It’s Fredericksburg’s first modern raw bar and brewery combo, and it totally delivered. Fresh oysters, creative small plates, and beer brewed on-site made for a delicious, relaxed meal. Elisabeth joined us for dinner after her workday ended, and we had a great time…lots of laughs, stories and catching up. The Port

 

🐐 Goats & 🏓 Pickleball (Post-Dinner Shenanigans)

You’d think we’d call it a night after that meal, but not us! Seldom a dull moment, remember?

We walked off dinner and we ran into GOATS.

Yes, actual goats, courtesy of The Good Steward Farm, working their magic at Old Mill Trail. These little landscapers were on a mission, clearing invasive brush from steep hillsides the eco-friendly way. It’s part of Fredericksburg’s eco-friendly landscaping initiative, and honestly? It was equal parts adorable and impressive. Who knew goat-powered lawn care could be so fascinating?

From there, we headed to Kenmore Park for some impromptu pickleball. Nothing fancy, just a few paddles, a lot of laughter, and some wildly inconsistent serves. But playing under the evening sky, together, made it one of our favorite moments of the trip.

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🍦 A Carl’s Classic

Our night ended the way all great Fredericksburg nights should, with a stop at Carl’s Frozen Custard. This family-run favorite has been scooping since 1947.  We pulled up just in time to grab shakes and ice cream before they closed, and stood under the iconic neon sign like locals. Classic. Creamy. Worth the wait. Carl's

🍳 Breakfast at FOODE

The next morning we headed to FOODE, a Fredericksburg favorite known for bold flavors and an even bigger heart. Housed in the historic National Bank Building, this farm-to-table spot is all about community and comfort. From the coffee to the omelets and breakfast sandwiches, it was all delicious. Foode

🏛 Final Stop: Chatham Manor

Before heading home, we made one more stop: Chatham Manor, a peaceful spot overlooking the Rappahannock River with deep historical roots. This is one of Carleigh and Elisabeth’s favorite spots for “golden hour” with beautiful views and lots of opportunity for solitude and nature.

Built in 1771 by enslaved laborers under William Fitzhugh, Chatham has stood through centuries of American history, hosting George Washington, serving as a Civil War hospital, and later being restored during the Colonial Revival movement of the 1920s. Chatham Manor

 

Why We Loved It

This trip wasn’t about going far. It was about going deep, into connection, conversation, laughter, and history. One night was all it took to spark stories, make memories, and remind ourselves why we travel in the first place. This overnight adventure had been a Christmas present from Carleigh and Elisabeth, and we are grateful for the time we spent in their hometown!

Let’s Be Honest…

Sometimes a one-night escape is all it takes. You don’t have to plan a big trip to make big memories.

Planning your own “big kid” getaway or parents’ escape? Let me help you Dream, Design, and Depart—whether it’s one night or your next bucket-list adventure.

📍 Next stop on the Retired Rahns Tour… coming soon!
Because life’s too short for boring weekends.

I’m Not a Travel Agent—Here’s What I Actually Do. You Might Be Surprised!

 

“Wait… how much does a travel coach cost?”

"What exactly do you do?"

These are some of the first questions I get asked, and it’s totally fair. When you’re planning your next family vacation, the last thing you want is to tack on extra stress… or extra expenses.

But here’s the thing: working with a Family Travel Coach isn’t about spending more, it’s about planning smarter. It’s about having support, saving time, and creating a vacation that works for your family (not someone else’s version of it).

At Seldom A Dull Moment, my coaching services are flexible, approachable, and designed to work with your timeline, your style, and your budget. I use a simple yet powerful framework called Dream, Design, Depart to guide you from overwhelmed to ready-for-takeoff.

And here's one of my tried and true secrets... Starting early. Really early. Ideally, a full 12 months in advance.

Let’s walk through what travel coaching looks like, and why it might be the missing piece in your vacation puzzle.

💬 Start with a Free 30-Minute Discovery Call

This is your no-pressure starting point. We'll talk about your travel hopes (and your planning headaches), and I’ll share how travel coaching works. It’s casual, personal, and completely free.

Ready to chat? Book your free call here!

I’ll never forget a recent conversation with a new client.
We were sitting down for one of our first sessions, she shared her travel dreams, and I was offering suggestions, asking clarifying questions, and helping her explore options she hadn’t thought about yet.

Then she paused and said with a smile,
“It’s like you’re my coach! You’re helping me figure all of this out so that I can do it by myself.”

Exactly. That’s exactly what a travel coach does.
I’m not here to take over your trip, I’m here to guide you through it, so you can make the best decisions for your family and feel confident doing it on your own.

🧭 What’s the Difference Between a Travel Coach and a Travel Advisor?

It’s a great question, and an important one.

A Travel Advisor or Agent typically books your trip for you. They may recommend hotels, cruises, or packages, often based on partnerships or commissions. If you're looking for a full-service booking experience, that's their specialty.

A Travel Coach, on the other hand (hi, that’s me!), doesn’t sell travel.

Instead, I help you:

• Clarify your travel goals
  

• Get your family or travel group on the same page
  

• Explore what’s possible within your timeframe and budget
  

• Curate ideas, inspiration, and strategies so you can book with confidence
  

You stay in charge. I’m just your guide, copilot, and behind-the-scenes brainstorm partner.

🌟 What Is Dream, Design, Depart?

Planning a trip shouldn’t start with booking, it should start with intention. That’s why I developed Dream, Design, Depart, a simple 3-step process to help you:

• Dream: Get clear on your “why” for this trip, what it means to you, your family, your season of life.
  
  

• Design: Gather input from everyone involved, explore options that actually match your vibe, and shape a plan that feels right.
  
  

• Depart: Put it all into motion with confidence and clarity, no more guesswork or second-guessing.
  
  

This method turns planning into part of the adventure, and helps avoid the common vacation regrets of “we should’ve planned sooner” or “we tried to do too much.”

🗓 Why 12 Months Out is the Sweet Spot

Here’s the truth: the best vacations don’t happen last-minute, they’re designed with intention, often months in advance.

Planning 9–12 months out gives you time to:

• Dream as a family (yes, even with tweens/teens!)
  
  

• Take advantage of early pricing, points, or seasonal deals
  
  

• Reserve in-demand experiences and lodging before they’re sold out
  
  

• Build in payment flexibility or budget over time
  
  

• Actually enjoy the process, instead of racing the clock
  
  

And to make it even easier…

🎁 Everyone who books a travel coaching package gets a FREE copy of my 12-Month Vacation Planning Guide, Design That Dream Vacation—a printable workbook that breaks it all down month by month.

This guide is your step-by-step roadmap to keep your planning on track and your dream trip within reach.

✨ A Coaching Package That Fits You

If we decide to move forward, we will design a personalized travel coaching package just for you. Here’s what’s typically included:

1. A Family Travel Coaching Session

We’ll gather your travel crew and talk through everyone's vacation hopes, wishes and dreams. Whether it’s downtime or adventure, national parks or city lights, we’ll align on what matters most.

2. Resource Gathering (So You Don’t Have To)

While you’re handling everyday life, I’ll dig into:

• Destination ideas that match your energy and style
  
  

• Lodging, activities, and local tips
  
  

• Travel strategies for kids, teens, and mixed-age groups
  
  

• Budget-friendly finds or meaningful splurges
  
  

3. Itinerary Support

Together, we’ll map out your vacation in a way that fits your timeline, your budget, and your travel style. You’ll walk away with a flexible but clear plan that makes the whole experience feel easy and exciting.

🚀 So… Is It Worth It?

If you’ve ever…

• Spent hours online and ended up more confused than when you started
  

• Felt like your last trip didn’t quite match what you envisioned
  

• Wished your kids (or partner!) were more involved in the process
  

• Wanted to slow down, plan intentionally, and actually enjoy the planning part
  

…then YES—travel coaching is worth it.

Because a vacation isn’t just a break—it’s a chance to reconnect, reset, and make memories that last.

Let’s Dream, Design, and Depart—Together.

✨Click Here to schedule your free Discovery Call.
Let’s build the vacation you’ve been dreaming of—without the stress or overwhelm.

📘 And remember: book a coaching package and you’ll receive my 12-Month Vacation Planning Guide completely free.

Because every great trip starts with a plan—and the best plans start now.