I’ve been hearing some parents whining about going places with their kids lately– Whaa, flying with kids is scary. Boo-hoo, taking a road trip with a toddler is hard.

They’re all pussies. We just got back from dragging three kids and their grandfather all over British Columbia. There were airplanes, ferries, public transit trains, long car rides and exhausting walks. But, not only did we survive, we had fun. So, suck it up you candy-asses and get yourselves (and your kids) on vacation!

Minneapolis–>Vancouver–>Victoria–>Vancouver–>New Denver–>Nelson–>
New Denver–>Vancouver–>Maple Ridge–>Vancouver–>Minneapolis

Ten Days
* Bags of Luggage: 12 (between six of us)
* Airplane Rides: 2
* Ferry Rides (one way): 3
* All Day (12+ hour) Car Rides: 2.5
* Public Transit Train Rides: 2
* Messed Up Hotel Reservations: 2
* Hotels Without Electricity: 1
* Hotels With Free Internet: 2
* Hotels With Laundry Service: 2
* Hotels with Temporarily Unworking Elevators: 2
* Times the Garmin Messed Us Up : 4
* Total Number of Fish Meals: 31 (between the six of us)
* Drives Through Winding Mountain Roads in the Middle of the Night: 1
* Gone Forever: 1 backpack (in the Boston Pizza bathroom in Salmon Arm—in it were: 3 books, 4 diapers, 1 toddler t-shirt, and 1 travel pack of baby wipes).
* Licked Shoes : 1
* Temporarily Misplaced Children: 1
* Wildlife Spotted:
1 seagull on our balcony
1 stationary deer eating cherries
1 pack of deer on the side of the road, waiting to leap into traffic
1 small black bear on the side of the road
bunches of pigeons at outdoor restaurants
bunches of geese and ducks in Granville Island
* Children Sick For a Few Hours: 2
* Barfing on Hotel Floor Incidents: 1
* Workout sessions: 3
* Swimming sessions: 2
* Days with 3+ hour walks: 3
* Thought Was Lost, but Found at the Bottom of My Purse the Last Day: 1 (fish charm for a bracelet)
* Giant Trees That the Children Posed In: 2
* Never Before Met Relatives: 7
* Relatives I Have Met Before: 1
* Books read: 0
* TV Shows Watched: 0
* Newspapers Read: 0
* Bags of Laundry to Bring Home: A hell of a lot.

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Ok, I am prepared to take a lot of heat for this, but I have to ask – what’s with all the strollers?

On Good Friday I participated in the annual Buffalo, NY tradition of trekking to the Broadway Market for all of my Easter goodies. Let me explain – the Broadway Market is located in downtown Buffalo, and is the Mecca for all things Polish. The placzek, the pierogi, the buttered lambs and cross bread. And the kielbasa! Ah…

On Good Friday the place becomes MOBBED with locals and out-of-towners alike, all vying for a space amongst the counters. Police officers must direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The scene can only be compared to the hottest store with the biggest discounts in the busiest mall on Black Friday. There is NO room to move. You are waiting in lines for kruschicki that runs 5 or 6 people deep. It is hot, loud, full of aromatic fragrances, and STROLLERS!

I am not a parent, although I am ‘mommy’ to Hunter – my 2 year old boxer, but I just cannot find the logic in this. The strollers are nearly impossible to maneuver through the crowds. People are bumping into or tripping over them. And the kids look genuinely terrified! They’re staring at thousands of knees and feet, all rushing at them. Bags of pastry, sausage, flowers and chocolate are knocking them in the face. They are hot and cramped and just plain miserable.

I am not saying to leave your kids at home! At 26 years old, I have made this annual trip 25 times (I missed one due to the removal of my tonsils). So I asked my mother, “did you seriously push us around in strollers through the Broadway Market?” Her response – “yes, only because we went at 7am and the crowds were basically non-existent.” So then I asked her, “would you have pushed us in the strollers for an 11am visit?” Her response, “have you lost your mind?” She informed me that, had taken us later in the morning, we would have been either carried until we could walk or strapped to her in one of those baby carriers.

Again, I am NOT saying to eliminate your children from crowded venues. It’s the kids that usually make these types of events fun. But aren’t there more suitable travel options? As a soon-to-be aunt, I’m curious to hear your suggestions!

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