being very strict with a few specific routines, since children crave routine.

Second, by bringing along several little treasures that to him, even as an infant, represented home no matter the surroundings: Good Night Moon, two small stuffed animals, a quilt, a pillow his Grandmother made him. The bag containing these precious items was always the first thing out of the car at the hotel at night and the last thing packed away in the morning.

Making a set of beloved home comforts a consistent part of camping and road trips worked so well that when an invitation that included his name arrived for a destination wedding in Tobago, I had no qualms about RSVPing yes.

About sanitation, finding milk for a two-year-old, and something a tourism website described as "inflatable car seats" for rent--yes, I had a few worries. But about the little guy's ability to adapt to an exotic new place and enjoy himself--no.*

Choice is a good thing. I'm sure there were plenty of times my parents wished they could have turned on an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom in the rear seat of our Buick Estate Wagon to keep us quiet on the 2,500-mile trek to my grandparents' house. But I also know that if they had not told us things like "find something to enjoy in the scenery--you never know if you'll travel this road again," I would not be the inveterate traveler that I am today, or the editor of this magazine.

*I'll be writing about the week spent exploring Tobago by car for a winter-escapes feature in an upcoming issue.