Traveling with Children
Was gibt es besonderes zu beachten, wenn man mit Kindern vereist
Maya Angelou
Poet,*1928 †2014
Traveling means fun, relaxing, learning, exploring. But traveling can be also adventurous. Either, because the flight is delayed, planning doesn’t work, weather is bad, or the technical equipment doesn’t work. Or, because one enters unknown terrain: driving off-road, hiking away from trails, climbing slot canyons. Do you want to join our adventures?
Travelogues in English language will be added soon
We had the best tour so far in 2014. In our canyon adventure tour we had everything: paradise, great hikes, adventures, storms, the funniest camping night in the world, mastered challenges, sick children, broken camera ... And despite some efforts it is this is the tour we think back to the most. And if you ask our youngest (7 at that time) where he wants to go again, these are the stops on this journey.
There are a lot of beautiful pictures in my gallery. Some of them are already available to order as print directly. If you are interested in some picture which is not available yet, please use the contact form, so I can care about your request.
Was gibt es besonderes zu beachten, wenn man mit Kindern vereist
2011 I travelled only with my youngest child through the USA. At the border between USA and Canada the following happend:
After half an hour queueing, we reached the border on the us-side. I handed over our passports and answered the obligatory questions about whereabouts and length of stay. And than I was questioned: “Where is the daddy?”
I explained to the border officer very politely and as innocent as possible that the dad would be back in Germany to carry the two older sons who has to visit the school. Marwin’s brothers would be listed in my passport so she could see that I’m telling the truth. The officer nodded, went back inside her hut and entered something into her computer. Afterwards she gave me the order, to stop at the parking lot and to enter the border building to speak with another officer – but it would be important to bring my son with me.
I had to explain same things and same story again to the officer inside the building and again I was asked for the daddy. After 45 minutes I finally got the stamp and was allowed to continue my way.
At our return back to the USA “same procedure”: I explained the same as two days before. The border officer asked for Marwin who sat this time at the table inside the RV. I told her and asked her if I should call him. But she did not want me to call him, she wanted to come inside the vehicle. Oh my goodness….
Please imagine: The lane between two huts was just as wide that I could pass with this big RV. The door at the back could only be opened a quarter. The officer has everything at her belt you might imagine – gun, handcuff, truncheon, flashlight, etc. Nevertheless, she forced herself through the door just to look at Marwin: “How are you?”. I had to translate – at this time Marwin did not speak any English. But all the time she looked at Marwin and studied his reaction.
I don’t want to know what would have been happened when I had some argument with Marwin just minutes before……
Actually, in preparation to this journey I’ve read in some travel guide, that it is recommended to keep some confirmation letter of the other parent with one. But with all the information I’ve read I’ve forgotten again. It went well, but there was a big chance that it went wrong.
In fact, this situation is not limited to the USA. During our one-year-stay in London at the airport in Germany we were more than once asked by the border officer, where the father of the children was and where we planned to go.
So, I really suggest you when travelling alone with children
When being asked, what was the best trip in USA, most probably all of us will mention the Canyon Adventure Tour. 2 overnight hikes down to the Grand Canyon, visiting the Wave and a memorable overnight stay at the Alstrom Point at Lake Powell is something we still will tell stories about our grandchildren. Check out!!!
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At the moment the travelogues are only available in German. I am trying to translate soon. Please be patient with me also regarding the English grammar