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When my parents visited Europe during their YIPPIE-the-kids-are-finally-all-out-of-the-house phase, they enthusiastically anticipated the centuries-old architecture. Whenever we spoke, conversation conveniently meandered toward hopes of finding documentation of generations of ancestors while visiting creepy graveyards and talking with third and fourth cousins.

Even as we were announcing the impending birth of their fifth grandchild, they were able to steer the conversation in the direction of European historical landmarks they'd added to their "must see" list. After four previous you're-going-to-be-grandparents announcements, they seemed more interested in updating the family on their overseas itinerary.

Similarly, when Mom and I were headed to Oklahoma to shock my sister as guests at her surprise 40th birthday party, our intent was not only to gauge the stability of my sister's aging coronary system, but to drink in some of the great country we claim as our own.

We routed our trip through Memphis hoping to be inspired by the musical atmosphere of the birthplace of the blues. We made sure our trip would include time to shop for Native American-made souvenirs and gifts.

My brother and sister-in-law's wedding, held in the mountains of Tennessee, sparked months of family discussions on which cabins to rent based on mountain views and proximity to kayak-worthy rivers. We also made sure we had the hours of operation for Dollywood handy, should we find we needed a change of pace from the wedding activities.

It seems, however, that children look at traveling through a whole different lens than those a little longer in the tooth. Children do anticipate travel excursions with much enthusiasm. It's just that the source of their enthusiasm stems from an entirely different region.

My youngest recently traveled to Huntsville, Ala., and Atlanta with a group of similarly aged peers and a few brave adults. He had been looking forward to the trip all year. While it had been subject of most of his conversations in the weeks leading up to the trip, it was not historical and educational opportunities that dominated the discussion.

While the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, an aquarium and the World of Coca Cola all appealed to my son, they were not the center of his anticipatory attention.

To keep tabs on our young traveler, we'd promised to purchase a pay-as-you-go cell phone for the trip. His older brothers already have cell phones. His parents have owned cell phones for as long as he remembers. My youngest has always wanted his very own cell phone.

When my middle child ruined a cell phone by unintentionally exposing it to moisture on a fishing trip, my youngest announced that he would never let his cell phone get wet should he ever be so fortunate as to be added to our family plan.

When my oldest did not answer his cell phone after repeated calls, prompting us to call the parents of the friend he was visiting, the excuse was mismanagement of battery usage resulting in a surprise, albeit unavoidable, depletion of power. My youngest chimed in with a promise to always keep his battery charged should he ever be so fortunate as to be added to our family plan.

So when we suggested he take a prepaid cell phone on his trip so he could keep in touch by calling our cell phones, he was elated. He talked about phone models and colors. He asked questions about access and minutes. He planned out an intricate calling itinerary for the three-day trip.

But the cell phone did not exclusively dominate his pre-trip thoughts. The in-bus movie lineup was of utmost importance. He had to pick out a book to bring along just in case a boring movie was selected by the powers that be. He talked of the prime location on the tour bus -- a few rows in front of the bathroom and two rows directly behind one of the drop-down video screens.

Being an old person, I instinctively asked about the history museum and space shuttle display when we connected the first night he was able to call me on his new cell phone. I got very little response.

Then I remembered the generation gap, and built a bridge with questions about tour bus seating, movies and the cell phone. The conversation picked up as he proudly filled in the details.

For some, generally the older generations, it is getting there and what we can learn and experience on the way that enriches our lives. For others, generally the youngest among us, what is important is how they get there and whom they can reach via cell phone when they arrive.

Micki Bare is a columnist for the Arkansas News Bureau and the Courier-Tribune in Asheboro, N.C., and author of the book, "Relative Expressions." She lives in Asheboro with her husband and three children. Her e-mail address is mickibare@inspiredscribe.com.