A Sunday Drive
Years ago, probably when our parents were young, it was common for families to get into their cars and go for a Sunday drive. It didn’t mean going very far, just far enough to enjoy the beauty of the world around them. The trees, the birds, the sun, the fresh air.
Today, everyone’s lives are so busy shuttling kids from activity to activity, doctors visits, school sports, visiting or entertaining friends and family, any many other things that we usually don’t get the chance to slow down and take a deep breath. With so much activity during the week, Saturdays become packed with errand running. Even Sundays have become another day to “get things done.” With my daughter’s various therapy appointments, I am always dashing off somewhere.
With all the activity in my family’s life, I have decided to bring back the Sunday drive. I want to make sure we all take time, even my three little kids, to really appreciate the beauty of where we live. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m going to drive very far. I may not drive at all. I just may take a walk or sit outside and enjoy the peace and quiet. No matter what I do, I’m going to snap a picture or two and post it here to highlight the beauty I discovered on my Sunday drive for everyone to enjoy. And it will give me the chance to work on my photography with my camera. Aperture and shutter speed are still mysteries to me.
So every Sunday after church (if I can get my act together and get all three kids ready in time) I’m going for my Sunday Drive to appreciate the world that surrounds me. Hopefully, this will be something my kids will enjoy, too.
If you would like to join me with your own Sunday Drive, that would be great. Just leave a comment with the link to your post so I can see the beauty that exists in your town, neighborhood, or front yard for that matter. If not, that’s OK, too. I hope you enjoy the photos I post.
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Today I moseyed about a mile down McKinley road and stopped at the AuSable River Overlook. Can you believe that for all the weekends we’ve been coming up here and the year and a half we’ve been living here full time, I’ve never stopped at the overlook before? Let me tell you, it was beautiful. And I was surprised at how far out I could see.
Isn’t that beautiful? When I took this picture, I could hear a family of parents and several kids laughing and splashing each other floating just downstream from me.
Look at that view. I didn’t realize how far I could see from the overlook.
Stop back again for next week’s Sunday Drive.
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I love it! I love the idea of bringing back old fashioned values. I recently started having a family game night on monday nights! Getting a little resistance from my son , but my daughter is loving it. I know he’ll come around! Loved your post!
Comment by Laura Iriarte — August 3, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
Beautiful scenery.
Comment by Darla - UltraBeautyBoutique — August 3, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Can’t paste link to Strolling of the Heifers, Brattleboro’s signature event, but it’s on YouTube if you search for it.
This is a great idea, just the kind of antidote we need.
Peace, Mary
Comment by Mary Rothschild — August 3, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
Kim,
That’s such a great idea. I’m totally going to keep it in mind so I can link up with you.
You’re right – Sunday often becomes the 2nd day to get things done and I hate that. I really do try to keep in mind that it is the Lord’s day and we should soak up all the beauty and goodness he created.
My family totally did the Sunday drive thing. My Mom still loves to always take the “scenic route” – which now as a grown up I appreciate. As a I kid, I can still remember the groans, but my parents were trying to show us what else was out there in our big, beautiful world.
Have a great week!
k.
Comment by Kim H. — August 4, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Hey Kim,
This has been one of Ben and I’s favorite activities for years. Ben loves to drive, I love to talk to him, the kids cuddle up in the back seat and enjoy the scenery. Some days there is a destination, others it is just a chance to find something new. Sometimes there is an in-car picnic, sometimes not. I love the questions the kids ask while we drive, they ask about buildings, plants, farms, wahtever they see.
My favorite…. we were driving around Springfield Il, on I55, just south of town there is a factory of some kind, my daughter asked what they make there, my son looks at it and says, “clouds! See them coming out the chimneys.”
enjoy your drives.
Janelle
Comment by Janelle — August 4, 2008 @ 11:06 am
We used to do this ALL the time! I can’t now, my car only gets about 11 miles to the gallon (it’s old) so there is just no way I can spend that much money. Plus my kids would go crazy, lol.
I do like to garage sale though & occasionally we will go to farther away sales that are in more country like areas so we can look at all the pretty trees & land.
Comment by Ginny — August 5, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
What a great idea! I remember going on Sunday drives. This post brings back memories. I love the pictures you got.
Comment by Debbie Yost — August 5, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
[...] @ Up North Mommy has started taking Sunday Drives each week as a way to help remind herself to slow down and enjoy the world around us. This week, [...]
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