As the Amtrak Empire Builder moseyed up the westernmost side of Seattle, I tried mimicking its sound. Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta-ta-ta. My tongue hit the roof of my mouth, closely matching the noise of the slowly moving train. Departing exactly on schedule at 4:55 pm, we glided past the Smith and Columbia Towers, reaching the Olympic Sculpture Park moments after 5:00.

Today’s blog, Ten Tips for Travel with Kids, is a photo montage with commentary that captures some highlights of that trip. Together with my amazing husband, we entertained our granddaughters for eleven days. In what our son aptly named “win-win-win,” we had barrels of fun with the girls, they had a blast with us, and their parents flew to Marrakesh to have fun on their own.

We were packed and ready to go on a 3-month adventure in Israel. My checked luggage included three Global kitchen knives and two slim-profile, Epicurean cutting boards. I imagined the apartment we’d rented in Tel Aviv, one block from the Mediterranean, as a gathering place for new friends to mingle and share ideas. After daily shopping at the large, outdoor market, Shuk HaCarmel, where fresh fruit, fish and spices abound, I’d cook and write every day.

While you’re living your best expat life, the people you’ve left behind welcome your calls. But when the phone rings at 3 am, or pings with a new WhatsApp message, the Left Behind’s (LB’s) first thought is NOT “I can’t wait to hear what my expat is up to.”