When I was young, we used to frequent a family resort in Eastern Washington State called Sun Lakes. No catered meals or kiddie sailing lessons or "kid fun camps" here. Just a lake with salamanders, a small store with dime candy, and free reign in a life-guard supervised swimming area and endless mini-golf games with my brothers. We spent a lot of time watching (and griping) as my folks played Canasta and fought over who was the better loser.
Unfortunately, family resorts like these are on the decline. As the price of lakeside real estate climbs, many shoe-string resorts are (understandably) selling to developers who will build private summer homes. Other factors contributing to the decline in these resorts is the shortening of the average family vacation from one-week to two-days.
Is it any wonder we're all so bloody cranky? The wonderful thing about these resorts is that they are relatively affordable for most families and expose you and your kin to many different types of people. I miss Sun Lakes. And trying to recreate that experience for my kids seems nearly impossible in this Club Med era.
