MICHIGAN FAMILY TRAVEL NEWSLETTER VOLUME 1
Telling Stories. That is one of the things that make us human. Not only the fact that we can use words to communicate, but that we can use these words to share ideas, emotions, and memories.
When we share our stories we are participating in a timeless tradition of passing on our culture and passing on the essence of who we are as people.
When we tell our stories we connect the past to the present to prepare the future.
I remember my father talking about his father piling the youngest of his many children in the back of one of their cars, maybe it was the ’38 Ford, and placing a wooden plank across the floor in the back so my father could sleep as his father drove through the night to go visit relatives on one of the few vacations they were able to take.
I remember my mother talking about waiting hours to get across the Straits of Mackinac as they had to wait for the ferry to get them across. The children sang songs and ran around the parking lot playing tag as they waited for the ferry to get them across. Don’t forget, the bridge did not open until November, 1957! Hey, Happy 60th Birthday Mackinac Bridge!
Maybe this summer, when you are with friends and family, why not spend some time telling those stories about your favorite travel memories. I think this is how we use the past to lay a strong foundation for the future.
Michigan Trivia #1
When did construction on the Mackinac Bridge begin?
What university is celebrating its 200th birthday this year?
What was Bob Seger’s first national top 20 single?
What was the name of the first “stadium” the Detroit Tiger’s played?
Where would you go to get your picture taken on the Rosa Parks Bus?
What metal was first mined in Calumet?
What is the oldest fish hatchery in Michigan?
Answers:1. May 7, 1954. 2. University of Michigan 3. “Ramblin’, Gamblin’ Man” 4. Bennett Park 5. The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn 6. Copper (Cu on the periodic table for our super science friends!) 7. Harrietta State Fish Hatchery (opened in 1901)
Michigan Family Travel
Editor: Jim Miller
Michigan Family Travel Newsletter Volume 2
One of the challenges many families have is balancing the many interests, personalities and temperaments of their family members.
“Where do we go?”
“How long are we staying?”
One person loves sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the crashing waves, while another loves wandering through boutiques and independent shops and another wants to sit inside and play video games.
There are no easy answers to these dilemmas, but there are a few guiding principles.
Understand your family members Travel Archetypes. Is one a wanderer, while another is an observer? Is one a curator while another is a communicator?
A wanderer loves to explore and encounter new aspects of culture and experience with little or minimal structure.
While an observer tends to prefer structure, routine and a deep understanding of a place, this archetype tends to prefer to spend longer periods of time soaking up fewer sites and experiences to really get to know a particular destination.
A curator loves to touch, feel, taste, smell and see. They tend to make more purchases than the other archetypes but shopping is not the only way they curate. They love to go to the unique restaurants and coffee shops, the offbeat adventures and take photos, touch rocks, and yes purchase those souvenirs.
A communicator loves to meet new people and sitting at a poolside bar, running to the volleyball net, playing with other children at the playground or pool. For this person, it doesn't matter where they go, they are bound to make a friend there.
2. Once you understand each other’s archetype, it is important to develop an itinerary around the various styles in order to keep everyone happy. First, acknowledge that one type is not better than the other, they are simply different like hair color or taste in ice cream. Then, appreciate the differences. Communicate to each other what the different strengths of the archetypes are. People are more likely to be open to listening if they feel understood and accepted. Lastly, use a tool like family consensus decision making to help negotiate the differences. Quite simply, each person writes down the top 3 activities, destinations, experiences, on a sheet of paper. The one choice that appears on everyone’s or most everyone’s is the number one choice. Once the most important agreed upon activity is identified then be sure to include one activity from each other family members list to make them feel valued.
3. The most important tip is to be grateful to each other for the gift of travelling together. When you are doing an activity that you did not choose or particularly enjoy, do your best to appreciate the fact that it makes someone you love very happy. This will go along way to making the experience enjoyable for everyone.
Happy travelling!.
