Sabbath afternoons for families can sometimes be tough. After a busy week of work and school and other commitments, many parents greet the Sabbath afternoons with one goal in mind: rest. But as any family with energetic children knows, it doesn’t always happen. Many of us may remember a few childhood Sabbaths as long afternoons filled with boredom—especially in the summer months when Sabbath stretches into late evening. And what happens when you are away from home on a summer vacation? How do you spend Sabbath away from your normal routine? Most important, what can you do to help your family enjoy a summer Sabbath in a memorable way?
Here are a few ideas. We’ve included a short list of some of the most scenic vacation destinations in North America.1 If you are planning a trip, these locales may be just what you are looking for. And we’ve gone a few steps further by giving you ideas for activities, churches to visit, and even picnic food suggestions.2 Come along as we take you on a journey to make your summer Sabbath even more of a treat.
Denali National Park, Alaska
There are about 400,000 visitors to Denali National Park every year, many of whom visit during prime vacation months—May to early September. From Denali, you can catch a glimpse of Mount McKinley as well as unsurpassed scenery and wildlife you likely won’t find anywhere else.
Family Sabbath Activity:
Scavenger Hunt: Aside from unforgettable hiking and opportunities to hone your photography skills, how about a scavenger hunt? Using your Bible, come up with a list of nature items found in Scripture. Write the scriptures out, have the kids look them up, and then find the items. Make sure to observe any rules and precautions stated by the park. This activity also works well elsewhere.
A Church to Visit:
Wasilla Seventh-day Adventist Church
2101 Lucille Street, Wasilla, Alaska 99654-3803?
www.wasillaministries.org/
For a Sabbath Picnic:
New Bean, Tomato, and Olive Salad
19-oz can red or white kidney beans or chickpeas
2 ripe but firm tomatoes
1/3 cup thickly sliced green or black pitted olives
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup light or regular Italian dressing
Drain beans from can and rinse under cold water. Drain well and place in large bowl. Without seeding, coarsely chop tomatoes into half-inch pieces. Add to beans with olives and onions and toss gently. Pour in ¼ cup dressing and gently toss until vegetables are coated. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Serve right away or refrigerate and transport in a cooler to your picnic.
—Wilona Karimabadi, assistant editor and KidsView editor
Kalalau Valley, Hawaii
On the island of Kauai, this particular valley is accessible only by kayak or along the Kalalau Trail, so the excursion is not for the faint of heart. The entire island of Kauai is a gorgeous destination known for its lush greenery, thus earning its name, “The Garden Isle.” Bonus tip: Kahili Mountain Park, operated by the Hawaii Conference, offers a variety of accommodations and actively seeks Seventh-day Adventist guests. Visit www.kahilipark.org for more information.
Family Sabbath Activity:
Hiking: There really is no better Sabbath afternoon activity than exploring a location’s beauty on foot. Make sure you do a little preliminary research well before your trip to find out the best hiking trails for families based on accessibility and level of difficulty; and come equipped with water, snacks, and proper shoes. This is also good advice in terms of exploring hiking trails close to home.
A Church to Visit:
There are two to choose from in Kauai:
Lawai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church ?
3469 Koloa Road, Kauai, Kauai, Hawaii 96765
http://lawaivalley22.adventistchurchconnect.org/
Kapaa Seventh-day Adventist Church ?
1132 Kuhio Road, Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii 96746
http://kapaa22.adventistchurchconnect.org/
For a Sabbath Picnic:
Broccoli Salad
4 cups ?diced, raw broccoli tips
1/2 cup ?onions, chopped (or use onion powder, to taste)
1/2 cup ?slivered almonds
1/3 cup ?Bacos or crumbled, cooked Stripples
Dressing
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup raisins
Mix the dressing ingredients together first and chill for at least an hour. In a large bowl, toss salad ingredients together and add dressing. Mix well, serve, and enjoy!
—Rachel Child, financial manager
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
This beautiful harbor city sits between Burrard Peninsula and Fraser River and is known for its cultural diversity and appealing architecture. In addition, beautiful nearby beaches, mountains, and forests make this destination an ideal place to visit, literally offering something for everyone!
Family Sabbath Activity
Photography Art: In a city such as Vancouver, there’s always something to see. There are plenty of great photo opportunities all around. As a family, search out the city or the nearby beaches and gardens on a Sabbath afternoon and have everyone take turns taking digital pictures of anything that catches their eyes. Afterward, download your pictures onto your computer and have the family work together to select their favorite pictures to include in a keepsake album.
A Church to Visit:
Oakridge Adventist Church
5350 Baillie Street Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 3M5
Canada
www.oakridgeadventist.ca/
For a Sabbath Picnic:
Summer Berry Salad
1 large bowl
6 cups whole strawberries
2 cups blueberries
1/4 cup carrots, finely shredded
2 tbsp agave nectar
2 tbsp orange juice, from a freshly squeezed orange
a few mint leaves for garnish
Wash strawberries and blueberries separately. Put blueberries into a large bowl. Cut strawberries into slices, removing green tops. Add strawberries to blueberries. Wash, peel, and shred carrots; or buy a small pre-shredded package from the salad section of the supermarket. Add carrots, agave nectar, and orange juice to berries. Gently mix with a large spoon. Add a sprig or a few leaves of mint as garnish. For a more tart taste, add ¼ teaspoon fresh lime juice; or for a sweeter flavor, add more agave nectar. Serves 6 to 8
—Kimberly Luste Maran, young adult editor
Sedona, Arizona
If you love history and archaeology, arts and culture, or outdoor pursuits, Sedona is a beautiful place to visit. The city, often called “Red Rock Country,” is surrounded by monoliths called Coffeepot, Cathedral, and Thunder Mountain. To the north, Oak Creek Canyon promises stunning vistas for any photography fan.
Family Sabbath Activity:
Go for a Drive: Gas prices these days won’t make this particular activity easy. But if you are visiting a place like Sedona that abounds with lots of natural beauty—including high temps on a summer afternoon—exploring the scenery from the comfort of an air-conditioned car may be a great idea for Sabbath. Use the time together to talk and be with one another in a way you may not do at home. Check out maps and sites on the Internet before heading out, and explore God’s incredible creations on four wheels. Don’t forget your camera!
A Church to Visit:
Sedona Seventh-day Adventist Church?
680 South Sunset Drive, Sedona, Arizona 86336
www.sedona22.adventistchurchconnect.org/
For a Sabbath Picnic:
Steve’s Quick Summer Wraps
6 large flour tortillas
6 slices provolone cheese
9 Stripples
2 avocados
3 Roma tomatoes
3 slices onion
2 cups fresh spinach
Lay tortillas on a flat surface. On each tortilla, place one piece of cheese (cut in half), one and a half Stripples, avocado slices, tomato slices, onion, and fresh spinach. Roll each tortilla tightly and cut in half. Makes 12 wraps, which can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
—Steve Chavez, coordinating editor
__________
1 This list was inspired by http://opentravel.com/blogs/the-most-beautiful-places-in-north-america/.
2 These vacation destinations, activities, and recipes are all merely suggestions, and the activities can just as easily be done at home as they can on vacation. The recipes are intended to be relatively simple to prepare before Sabbath and kept cool in a hotel refrigerator or ice-packed cooler for a picnic. They work well on their own or can be combined as a menu. The ingredients are all items that can be found easily in most North American supermarkets as well. For recipes that include dairy, be very careful to chill your food properly before consumption, and toss away anything that has been left at room temperature for an extended period of time.
________________
Wilona Karimabadi is assistant editor of the Adventist Review and editor KidsView. The magazine's publication for children ages 8 to 12. This article was published May 24, 2012.
