It’s vacation time again and I’m thinking about all the souvenirs I collected on vacations past. Some I still have and others have traveled elsewhere, but it’s fun to remember them all.
The summer I was 12 my family took the longest, most memorable vacation ever. My dad spent all winter planning the route we would take, every site we would see, every motel we would stay in, almost every meal we would eat. Finally it was time for my two sisters and me to climb into our 1959 white Chevy station wagon, with a grill that looked like a giant steel emoji grin, and hit the road. Our journey took us from Tennessee to California and back in a huge loop through at least 10 states. Adventures and back seat squabbles abounded! But back to the souvenirs.
For years the bookshelf in my room held my treasured souvenirs from that trip. A favorite was a Native American doll from somewhere out west with a real suede dress, headband with feather, and her own metal stand. She was stunning. Next to her sat a three-inch high porcelain oriental doll from China Town in San Francisco. Never mind that I got to see my first stage musical, South Pacific, while in that city. I got to buy an oriental doll in China Town! But best of all, standing next to her was the small bronze donkey with “Pikes Peak or Bust” printed on the side.
Yes! I bought it at the top of Pikes Peak in Colorado, never imagining that 17 years later I would move to that state and then spend the next 47 years of my life (so far) living at the foot of America’s Mountain. Pikes Peak or Bust indeed!
Without a doubt I’ve spent more on souvenirs from adult vacations, so they may be nicer but not as memorable. I do remember a trip I took to Mexico with my two sons during my single parent days when I purchased souvenir Christmas gifts for all my family back in Tennessee from vendors on the beach. I shipped them all off, but at the last minute I decided that since the boys would be with their dad for Christmas, I would go to Tennessee. I hadn’t imagined actually having to watch my distinguished, always well-dressed, Southern-gentleman dad opening his multi-striped serape from Mazatlan!
A print from our honeymoon in Maui, a sculpture of a Native American man and his wife from South Dakota, and two oil paintings from Taos have always found spots in our homes. I still have silver jewelry from another trip to Mexico, porcelain rabbits from the flea market in Santa Fe, a menorah from Israel, and Murano glass jewelry from Venice. Yet as the years went by and our home got smaller, most of the souvenirs I’ve collected recently are smaller as well—magnets, shells, or post cards for the most part.
Recently we attended a 100th birthday party for a neighbor. Her family displayed a board containing post cards from all the places, all over the world, that she and her husband visited. It was really a display of memories. After all, the memories of each trip we take are the best souvenirs of all. Get out this summer and collect some more!
Also published in The Country Register, July-August 2024.
What fun memories indeed of all your dear collectibles, Nancy. I remember the mini Native American drums from Mount Rushmore, and I still have the photo of the red felt hats from Santa’s Workshop (and my brothers and me sitting on Santa’s lap). Thank you for giving me a stroll down my own memory lane.
You’re so welcome, Beth! Treasures indeed.
Lovely story, Nancy! Walks on Memory Lane can be wonderful!
I agree, Mary. Maybe we should take those strolls more often!
In my era, farm families didn’t travel, so I didn’t collect souvenirs. However, in our retirement years, Jim and I have traveled the seven continents including 50+ countries. We collected postal cards for our scrapbooks, but our best souvenirs are Nativities from various countries. Unfortunately, we didn’t find them in all the countries we visited, but we have them on display where we can enjoy them daily.
Oh Peggy, that’s wonderful that you’ve been able to travel so much and nativities are wonderful to collect. My husband seems to think four are enough for us but like you I could easily have more. Enjoy!
Aren’t memories fun and boy do our tastes change!!
Looking forward to seeing you soon!!
Yes, they do! Can’t wait to see you!
We are now living Roger’s dream living on a private lake in Texas. He gets on the lake every day and catches fish with a quick call to me, meet me on the dock. That means I take a picture of him to help savor the memories of the different species along with a note of how much his catch of the day weighed. The large fish must be returned to the lake for breeding purposes.
So my husband who claims not to be sentimental is absolutely passionate about his photo collection of large fish he has actually brought into the boat. He has taught our girls and all 7 of our grandchildren the fine art of fishing. He shares stories from his youth of Minnesota fishing trips and gets them all excited about what may be caught yet tomorrow.
I love hearing about Roger’s fish photo collection, Cheryl! At least he’s not insisting on collecting and mounting all the fish! Thanks for sharing.