I know there were times it was a financial stretch to keep the Bear Lake place. But I also know that some of my best memories growing up were there. Family times, both immediate and extended, happened more frequently because they had it. Going away for the weekend or the week didn't take a ton of planning (I'm sure I am underselling what my Mom did to prepare each time we went) other than stock up on food to take up. It wasn't a stretch for my dad to get home from work early on a Friday and we'd head up to Bear Lake without much notice. As a teen it was a great place to go with friends (I had my parents trust and I tried hard to maintain it).

It was definitely not a financial investment but an investment in quality of life. As I look back now it was the one place my Dad could completely detach from work and life's obligations. The only way to get a hold of him, before cell phones, was to call the gate house and ask them to deliver a message to my dad. No phones. No cable TV. We really were there to be together as a family on the beach, tennis courts, the lawn, golfing, or prepping meals together.

We did other trips but Bear Lake holds my best memories. Even my kids have enjoyed some varied, fun vacations. But they talk most about and want to repeat trips to Bear Lake with the cousins.

Not every financial decision we make in life needs to be about the finances of it. In economics we talk about the utility of a thing. But it isn't always easy to quantify when so much of our decision making boils down to dollars and sense. Money is important... but it isn't the most important.