A nostalgic look back at family road trips to Florida and cherished moments
Ottawa: Every March, my family would hit the road from Canada to Florida to visit my grandparents. Those trips were the highlight of my childhood. I still remember the excitement of arriving at their condo in Marco Island.
Waking up at four in the morning was no big deal for me back then. In 1998, I was ready to roll for our first family road trip. My parents had even gotten me a shiny new Gameboy with Pokémon to keep me entertained. Talk about a win!
Little did I know, this trip would kick off a tradition that would shape my life. March Break became our annual escape from the cold, with “The Condo” becoming a beloved family destination. The warm Florida sun was a magical change from Ottawa’s icy grip.
My grandparents bought that condo after retiring in the early ’90s, and it turned our winters into a two-week paradise. Our first day on the road often ended in Roanoke, Virginia, where we’d all feel a bit queasy from the car ride. But the next days were filled with fun at Disney World or Universal Studios.
Each year, the routine was pretty much the same: early starts, a pit stop in Virginia, and then a couple of days of theme park excitement before finally reaching the condo.
Marco Island felt like our little secret. It was a cozy spot, a small retirement community where we could just be ourselves. I have so many fond memories of splashing in the pool while the snowbirds looked on, and making quick friends with other kids visiting their grandparents.
There are countless goofy photos from those trips, like my hilarious imitation of a pelican at our favorite restaurant, Pelican Bend. I even got to stay up late on New Year’s Eve in 2000, watching the celebrations on Nickelodeon.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to have those moments with my family. Each beach day and early morning was a chance to bond and create lasting memories.
A while back, my parents told me about Hurricane Milton heading toward Marco Island. We all held our breath, hoping our special place wouldn’t be damaged. Thankfully, it only caused minor chaos.
Now, I live in South Africa, but the scents and memories of Marco Island still linger. Travel has become a big part of my life, and I can’t help but feel drawn to Pokémon games whenever I plan a trip. I think I finally understand why those memories mean so much to me.
