I didn’t discover Cabo on Instagram or through a travel blog. My parents owned a house there when I was growing up, so Cabo has always felt less like a vacation destination and more like a familiar rhythm in my life. I’ve been more than 30 times at this point, which means we’ve done the sightseeing, the excursions, and the long lists of “must do” activities. Now, when we go, it feels different. It feels like returning somewhere that already knows us.

There are some trips that live in your mind for years before they ever make it to the calendar. For us, Lake Powell was one of those. We had talked about how we’d love to take a houseboat trip there when the time was right. We actually reserved a boat a couple years ago but the water levels were super low and we decided to bail at the last minute. This year, we finally made it happen and it turned into a family adventure we’ll never forget.

Let me start by saying this: If you’ve ever dreamed about taking your kids on safari, do it. It’s not easy. It’s not convenient. But it’s unforgettable. And more than worth it.