I started giving park passes as gifts in 2008 when 2 of my adventure outdoor loving friends got married. (I’m not so big on picking out a spatula and those last few towels people seem to need from the registry- what can I say.) They loved the pass and used it like gangbusters. At $80 it’s a steal! All that beauty and all that fun?! It’s a free for all into so many this USA gorgeous and play for a year. What a deal.
Now to passports:
It still amazes me that only about 33% of Americans have passports. Let’s be prepared people! Talk about the gift of freedom and something everyone should have. You never know when you might get invited to some far away locale, have to go overseas for work, or get an opportunity to explore a new place you never knew even existed  because your neighbor already paid for the trip but he can’t go for whatever reason.Why not be ready to rock and roll?
This holiday weekend marks the time when summer kicks off with a boom: Father’s Day, graduations and wedding season in full swing. Fret not for gift ideas that will make people smile and feel alive. Give the gift of passport or park pass and give the gift of freedom and fun!
Mom and I are waiting on pins and needles for word from Rand McNally to see if we are one of the 5 finalist teams for Best of the Road 2012.
I wish Mom was closer, or on the same works schedule as me so we could be making these videos together, but we are 1,000 miles away from each other today, so you just get my mug:
Thank goodness for cell phones, email, social media and Skype! At least Mom and I have been connected through those technology mediums during this rally. What a blast we have had! Funny how even if you are super close with someone and have traveled or spent a ton of time with them before- teaming up with that same person on a project makes you like or respect them even more.
I hope Rand McNally and USA TODAY see the genuine spirit of Mom and I and how much of a great asset and total fun we would be for this rally. Through this initial rally part we have worked hard to show who we are and what we are about.
It is my dream, my happy place and my most favorite thing to be on the road encouraging others to get out and explore. My believe that travel makes you a better person will always stay at the core of my soul and that will never change. I love being on the road more than anything. Mom has fallen in love with travel too over the past few years as she’s adventured to visit all of  us Peacock kids around the country where we’ve lived. It’s been fun for me to watch her see things while traveling for the first time, finally taking time for herself after working so hard  for years raising us. It’s pretty amazing as a “kid” to see your parent’s eyes light up the same way I’m sure she watched mine when I was a little girl finding new exciting things to learn about and explore.
For you kids of any age out there who want to do something, anything that is your big dream, the one that might seem unreachable, unreasonable, or unrealistic- it’s not. Mom Peacock always told me and still tells me to “go for it”. Reach for the stars, work hard and you will get it, keep a smile on your face when you fall down, jump right up- wipe that dirt off and try again because you can do anything you set your mind to.
She’s right.
So to Blue Lollipop Road readers and followers:
What’s your Rand McNally Best of the Road?- That thing you so badly want to be a part of or create for yourself? Jump in and tell them or yourself why you want it so badly. Show them who you are and what you’re made of. You might not be chosen or succeed the first time, or even the 22nd time, but keep plugging, work hard, and stay true to your passion and eventually someone will listen.
Mom and I hope Rand McNally is listening to us, because Team Blue Lollipop Road was born for this rally!
