There are so many excuses on why you would like to travel but just “can’t.” Here is a post designed to inspire you to set a plan in motion so you can have some of these moments for yourself. Because well, you deserve to grow and to open your mind to new sights and experiences.

1. See History Come Alive

Hilarye and the girls look out over the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor

You can read about it in books, you can watch about it on TV, but until you actually visit the places where things happen, it feels almost fictional. Goosebumps, a further sense of understanding and even reverence will be found when you witness it for yourself.

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The US flag still flies over the USS Arizona

December 7th is a solemn day in US history. On this day in 1941, over 2400 American soldiers and civilians died in and around the waters of Pearl Harbor. Today the USS Arizona Memorial stands as a tribute to those that gave their lives that day.

I have two grandfathers that were in the service and when I married Hilarye, I inherited two more WWII veterans. I’ve always been fascinated at the courage they had to serve in the military and I always feel a debt of gratitude to them for their service. A few months ago while in Hawaii, I was finally able to visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial which has always been a goal of mine. The park and museum are filled with exhibits and history that did a great job at outlining the events leading up to the attack, the attack itself and its aftermath. After a video and a short boat ride you’ll be able to visit the USS Arizona Memorial which sits over the USS Arizona sunken battleship that still entombs 1,102 sailors. The memorial itself is beautiful and what it represents is even more wonderful. The USS Arizona memorial is a somber and reverent place, a place that should not be forgotten and a place that should be visited by all.

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The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Rome was amazing. We had the pleasure of spending three solid days there before embarking on a cruise around the Mediterranean, and I really do feel like it was the highlight of our trip. We went on a few really amazing sight-seeing and food tours in Rome. The combination of sights, energy, and food was a dream come true. There were many times I was wondering around- especially at night where I thought: is this real? It felt like we were on a movie set. We did not see all that we wanted to see and do in those three days, so we will be going back.

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Fall Colors in Teton National Park

We had the pleasure of visiting Grand Teton National Park at the beginning of October. We roadtripped with the little girls in the back, and enjoyed some good quality family time before we left the babies for ten days to go to Europe. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the scenery was breath-taking. It was fun to explore and see what this often overlooked National Park had to offer.

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Waimea Bay on the North Shore

Few things in life compare to a trip to Oahu, Hawaii. I would say 99% of people would agree with that statement. One one side you have beautiful oceanic scenery and the other lush beautiful junglesque mountains. With a slew of national monuments, cultural icons and historic and interesting places in between.

Here are just a few of our favorite moments, places and scenery to highlight our recent trip to Oahu.

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