Personalized Traveler Maps

CajunMama’s post below about her Bucket List reminded me of the gift I got my husband for Christmas this year — the Personalized USA Traveler Map from Signals.

It’s a map of the States that you can personalize with a little plaque (our says “The Williams Family’s Travels”). It comes with little pins to stick in the destinations you’ve traveled to. I figured this could help us keep track of our domestic vacations (there’s a World version, too), and teach the kids some geography at the same time.

The green pins mark your dream destinations. My 5-year-old son wanted us to mark Legoland, even though we’ve already been there and will visit again in March! My 7-year-old daughter had us put a green pin in Alaska (great choice!). And hubby and I marked Yellowstone, Hawaii’s Big Island, Nantucket, Key West and New York City — all family trips we want to take before my daughter graduates from high school. We’ve got 11 years — think we’ll do it? I sure hope so!

The map is pricey — about $200 framed with shipping — but well worth it. Ours hangs prominently in our living room, and it reminds me of past and future family vacations that bring a smile to my face.