It’s June, and that means its vacation season.

It’s the time of the year when families start loading up and heading somewhere to recharge from the daily hustle and bustle of our normal lives, or start planning for that blessed day. I use the term blessed day to describe the vacation, and I’m sure some of you will start to laugh.

Yes, I’ve seen the memes that show a family at the start of their vacation looking happy as can be as they pull out of their driveway and then the total chaos, meltdown mode pic, less than 30 miles down the road. Family vacations can be incredible and they can have the not-so-picturesque moments in between.

Despite the occasional chaotic moments that can occur during the annual vacation, I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.

I remember my first family vacation in June 1968. I was five years old. We met my Uncle Billy, Aunt Norma Jean and my cousins Janet and Kay for an incredibly fun trip to Six Flags over Texas.

But, before we hit the road, my brother, David, and I clipped clothes pins to the hub caps of our family truckster. Amazingly, all four of the clothes pins made it to Texas and back to Barry County.

The next question that comes to mind is where to go. There are many types of vacations. They include the following: • Staycation

• Sports vacation

• Volunteer vacation

• Beach vacation

• Cruise vacation

• Camping vacation

• Road trip vacation

• Sightseeing vacation

Recently, the term “Nearcation” has become popular. It is totally different from a Staycation.

Specifically, Nearcation is a vacation destination relatively close to one’s home. If that is something that you are interested in pursuing, you couldn’t ask for a better place to live than the gorgeous Ozarks, which include Roaring River State Park, Table Rock Lake, Big Cedar Lodge, and Branson attractions.

Additionally, if you like to float, fish or boat our area is loaded with places to have fun.

Floating and kayaking have gained popularity since the start of the COVID pandemic. Locally, you can enjoy Flat Creek, Elk River and James River, along with several other branches. Within three hours you can find the beautiful Eleven Point, Jacks Fork, and Current Rivers, which offer great floating and fishing at the same time.

When it comes to vacations, I recommend planning ahead, especially for travels on holiday weekends. This can save you time, money and potential embarrassment.

Two of my favorite vacation stories are related to the lack of planning. The first is the time that my lifelong best friend, Paul Preddy, and I were making our journey from Annapolis, Md., to Cassville during the Memorial Day weekend.

Before we left Annapolis, Paul’s dad, Joe Preddy, gave us the wise advice to get a motel room lined up because the Indy 500 would be going on and getting a hotel would be tough.

Did we listen to Joe? No!

This resulted in Paul and I driving all night because, there wasn’t a motel room to be found on I-70 because, guess why, the Indy 500.

The second great planning example — or lack thereof — is from one of my favorite movies, National Lampoon’s Vacation with Chevy Chase as bumbling Clark Griswald.

I’m sure many remember Clark’s total failure to plan was capped off with the signature moment of the Griswald’s arriving at Wally World only to find the park was closed for repairs and maintenance.

Regarding the cost of vacation, due to the rising prices since the pandemic, planning ahead can help with some costs. Additionally, Nearcations, as I mentioned, are an excellent way to cut down on travel costs while still enjoying a great time away from home.

If you are getting ready to hit the road, I wish you nothing but safe travels. Additionally, please try to avoid uttering the legendary words, “I’m never taking you kids anywhere again,” after the not so “Field of Dreams” vacation moment. And, also remember to try not to utter that line when you hear, “Are we there yet,” for the 57th time on your trip.

Have fun!

Jon Horner is a local community bank president, published author, and motivational speaker. He can be reached at jonhorner77@ gmail.com.