The Best Dudedad is Vacation-Dudedad

I don't know about you but when I was a kid I LOVED spending time with my dad.  He was sort of like this mythical legend that was gone all day, then would show up and be your best time.  He was like a celebrity to me.  Yes, we love mom, too, but Mom's not the subject here.

I remember how in the Fall my dad would rake leaves into a jumping-pile that my brother and I thought was about 10 feet high.  I remember how he would work with me on my slow-to-mature athletic skills in the backyard.  And weekend days at the pool you could usually coax him into a cannon ball off the high dive.  A couple times he even drove a dump truck home from work.  For what I don't know, but I didn't care...I was spellbound.  The man was larger than life.

But the most fun memories were on vacation.  Shocker.

Dad-on-vacation is TIRELESS.  Dad-on-vacation wants to ROMP and laugh and have fun just like you wish you could with him all the time.  Dad-on-vacation is extra cool and is game for whatever you suggest.  Yep, he's a pure dudedad.

What does that?  I'm sure it has a little to do with being able to check out to the extent we can and spend time with those we love most.  From experience I can also say that there is an inspiration to show my kids about the fun that can be had wherever we are, especially on vacation.

Trips to the Jersey Shore were my favorite and earliest vacation memories.  I remember learning to swim in the big waves and marveling at how my dad seemed fearless of the surf and whatever lurked below.  I, on the other hand, was always waiting for Jaws.  Digging giant holes was a must.    Sand crabs provided endless entertainment, and there were an endless supply of balls to kick, throw, or knock around.  (Dudes love their balls, I must say.)

This Thanksgiving we'll be fortunate enough to spend a week in the Caribbean as a family and I CAN'T WAIT!  The biggest reason is to foster and feed off of the fun my kids will be having.  We'll be at amazing beaches and I am so looking forward to swimming in the ocean and playing in the sand with my own two girls...and lucky me, my dad will be there, too.

My hope is that my kids take away an amazing memory, while I get to relax, recharge, and and get my dudedad on.  And just maybe...maybe bring a little bit of that dad-on-vacation energy back home to pull me off the couch on Sunday.

To all who are not going somewhere exotic over the holiday, so what.  Harness your dad-on-vacation...your dudedad, whenever you can!  Your fans won't stand for anything less.

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