National Lampoon’s Kress Vacation

This wild Griswold vacation idea started many years ago!

Shortly after my first back issue in 2016, I purchased a book called Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. It was my first introduction to the world beyond our doorstep and one I knew my family needed to have in the near future. Two back surgeries, one hip surgery and a wife (Brittany) that was dead set against it all led to its delay. Well, the surgeries are behind us, and Brittany (or Ellen) came around to the idea, so here we are starting to prepare for this epic adventure with our two kids, Kadyn (Audrey) and Kinnon (Rusty). Brittany came around to the adventure partly from my repetitive badgering and because she knows my body is a rusty tin can and our “golden years” will not be one sailing around the globe. Honestly, “growing old is a privilege denied to many,” so here we are capitalizing on the present. 

So here is to the start of our Griswold vacation, and as our wise cousin Eddie once said, “[travelling] is the gift that keeps on givin’ the whole year!” 

– Mark (Clarke)