Most families have traditions, and mine is no exception. One of our family traditions began over 42 years ago, when my parents decided they needed a much deserved weekend away from their four kids. They stayed at a small motel in New Hampshire, directly across the street from a beautiful beach. As soon as they got home, they made plans to bring us kids to the Dunes Motel in Rye, NH. That was the start of one of my favorite traditions, our summer vacation at "The Dunes". Every year we would head there, staying anywhere from a few days to two weeks, depending on how far my parents could make their dollar stretch. It's not the fanciest, or even the cleanest motel I have ever stayed
in, but it had one thing going for it- location, location, location.
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| On the beach in 1994- me, brother Rich, sister-in-law Dawn, my daughter Jess, and son Stephen |
We could grab our beach toys and a towel and walk across the street to play in the waves and the sand.
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| on the beach 2012- Stephen, Debbie, Rich, Dawn, Ray |
Once we'd had enough of the beach, we'd head back to the pool for a swim before heading out to dinner at our favorite restaurants.
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| Jess and I at the pool, 1994 |
As the years went by, life changed, and not all of us could make it to the beach every year, but we all tried to go as often as we could. Both of my kids have been going to "The Dunes" since before they could walk.
Eventually,
I moved away and didn't have the chance to make the trek to Rye Beach
for a long time. My brothers and sister try to go every year, and
they do manage to get there most years, although they only stay for a
long weekend these days.
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| Paul joins the tradition in 1999, with Jess |
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| Jess and Stephen on the beach, 1999 |
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| on the beach, 1994, Ray and Jess |
Part of the reason I flew to Boston at this particular time is because it coincided with the trip to The Dunes. I had a great 4 day weekend with my family and it brought back a million childhood memories.
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| arriving at the motel, 2012- Richie, Stephen, Dawn and Ray |
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| rainbow over the pool, 2012 |
