This summer was a whirlwind of ✈️ planes, ⛴️ ferries, 🏊 pools, 🏔️ mountains, and more snacks 🍪 than I care to admit. Over three weeks, we explored South Carolina’s coastal charm 🐚, Ohio’s family fun 🛝, and Colorado’s mountain magic ⛰️. Here’s the play-by-play of our journey.
Day 1 – July 21: Flying to Dulles ✈️🇺🇸
We kicked things off with a 7.5-hour flight from Frankfurt to Dulles. One kid slept twice in the bassinet 👶💤 while the other happily watched TV 📺 and stayed cheerful 😄. A quick hotel shuttle 🚌 later, we settled into the Hyatt Regency Dulles 🏨 for some much-needed rest.
Day 2 – July 22: Hello, South Carolina 🏝️🐚
Shuttle back to the airport, then a 2-hour hop to Savannah 🛫. We were picked up 🚗 and drove 45 minutes to Haig Point Embarkation. From there, a 30-minute ferry ⛴️ carried us to Daufuskie Island.
First stop? The pool! 💦 The kids splashed for hours, and later there was plenty of shell collecting 🐚 along the beach with family.
Day 3 – July 23: Bloody Point & Beach Time 🌊
We explored Bloody Point, then enjoyed lunch at the clubhouse 🥪—classic club sandwich for the win. A relaxed, sunny day ☀️.
Day 4 – July 24: Pirate Adventures 🏴☠️⚓
A 1.5-hour pirate ship cruise kept everyone grinning 😁. One kid even napped through the whole thing 😴. Lunch at Quarterdeck was a fried chicken sandwich dream 🍗, followed by—what else?—more pool time 🏊.
Day 5 – July 25: Pool Day 🏊♀️☀️
Sometimes the best vacation days are the simplest—just sunshine, swims, and happy, waterlogged kids 🛟.
Day 6 – July 26: Farmers Market & Fine Dining 🥕🍷
A charming farmers market trip 🛍️ started the day. We wrapped up with a fancy dinner at Calibogue Club 🍽️, then an evening swim 💦.
Day 7 – July 27: Last Island Day 🌴
One last pool day 🏊 before packing up 🧳 for the next adventure.
Day 8 – July 28: Off to Cincinnati 🛫🏙️
A 2:40 ferry ⛴️ back to the mainland, drive to Savannah 🚗, and then a 1-hour 19-minute flight to Cincinnati ✈️. The little one slept most of the way 😴—always a blessing.
Day 9 – July 29: Hyde Park Stroll 👟🍕
Some light shopping for the kids 🛍️ (new shoes 👟!), pizza and swimming at a friend’s 🍕🏊, and a lovely walk to Hyde Park Square 🌳.
Day 10 – July 30: Aquarium Day 🐠🐧
Wide-eyed wonder at the aquarium 🐟🐢. Dinner with friends ❤️ rounded out the evening.
Day 11 – July 31: Rainy but Cozy 🌧️☕
Rainy day plans: my parents took one kid to an indoor playground 🛝 while the other stayed home for naps 💤. We ended the day with a cookout 🍔 with friends.
Day 12 – August 1: Summit Park 🌳🍝
Lunch with friends 🥗, then playtime at Summit Park 🎠. Dinner at Buca di Beppo meant plenty of pasta 🍝 and laughs 😂.
Day 13 – August 2: Colorado Bound 🏔️🛫
Early flight to Denver after lunch at Stanley’s 🍔. Dinner at Torchy’s 🌮 wrapped up the day.
Day 14 – August 3: A Little Shopping & A Lot of Food 🛍️🍜
Costco run 🛒, lunch at Noodles & Co 🍜, Ulta trip 💄, and a sunset walk to Chipotle for dinner 🌯.
Day 15 – August 4: Chill Day 🏡🔥
Social Security appointment, relaxing at home 🛋️, Domino’s pizza 🍕 for dinner, and gooey s’mores by the fire 🔥.
Day 16 – August 5: Denver Zoo & Game Night 🦁🎮
A behind-the-scenes zoo tour 🐒, animal fun, and a Mario Kart marathon 🏎️. Dinner at Stanley’s 🍔 and more s’mores 🔥 to end the night.
Day 17 – August 6: Small-Town Vibes 🍦🌾
Arrived at Meg’s, explored the farmers market 🥕, enjoyed ice cream 🍨, and watched Happy Gilmore 2 🎬.
Day 18 – August 7: Lake Day 🚤☀️
Quick Walmart run 🛍️, drive around the ranches 🐎, lunch at Cane’s 🍗, Dutch Bros coffee ☕, and boating at Chatfield Lake 🚤💦.
Day 19 – August 8: Missy’s & Birthday Fun 🎉🎂
Visited Missy’s, celebrated an early birthday 🥳, stopped at Dollar General 🛒 and TJ Maxx 👜.
Day 20 – August 9: Pikes Peak 🏔️🚗
Reached 14,115 ft at Pikes Peak 🌬️, then explored charming Manitou Springs ⛲.
Day 21 – August 10: Outlet Shopping 🛍️
A day at Castle Rock outlet mall 👗👟.
Day 22 – August 11: Flying Home ✈️
Flight from Denver to Frankfurt—goodbye, USA 🇺🇸👋.
Day 23 – August 12: Home Sweet Home 🏡❤️
Arrived back in Frankfurt, tired but so happy with our summer adventure memories.
