In this blog, we delve into our theme, ‘Make Moments Matter’, as we recount the incredible, lifelong memories created by a young person and his foster carer this summer. From the big to the small, our foster carers make every moment matter to ensure children and young people get the best in life.
For one young person and his foster carer, the summer of 2026 will be one to remember. This was the summer a long-held dream came true as the duo travelled to America, taking in the sights of Los Angeles, Vegas and Orlando with lots of stops in between. They travelled along the infamous Route 66, rubbed shoulders with millionaires in Beverly Hills, admired sunsets from the Griffith Observatory and watched the 4th July fireworks over Vegas’ MGM Grand. It’s not hard to see why this holiday experience will forever be etched in their memories.
Los Angeles – The City of Angels
The excited travellers flew into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with an excited grin on their faces and armed with an agenda that would scare the life out of the laid-back traveller! Picking up their truck, they made their way to the hotel taking in the buzz of the bustling city around them. A quick stop off at the hotel with its amazing views of the freeway and cityscape, and it was time to head out. With a schedule this busy, there was no time to waste.
First stop of the day: Venice Beach, a vibrant and eclectic beachfront neighbourhood famed for its boardwalk, skate park and Muscle Beach – the legendary outdoor weightlifting gym. The sun was splitting the trees, and the pair made their way to the beach to walk along the sand… trying their hardest to avoid being covered in the stuff which would be a mere inconvenience to their busy day. All this sunshine and sightseeing had built up their appetites, so they made their way to Raising Cane’s Restaurant – an American fast-food chain that the young person had been desperate to try… and it didn’t disappoint.
With happy stomachs, the pair walked along the promenade to the vibrant Santa Monica Pier with its lightning-fast roller coasters, Ferris wheel, cafes and carousels. They loved the atmosphere here. It was buzzing with street artists, holiday makers and excited families. The young person was particularly enthused by the Michael Jackson lookalike who had mastered the moonwalk and was drawing in the crowds. Afterwards, they made their way to downtown Santa Monica with its shopping district and fancy cars cruising past. They spotted a Tesla Cybertruck which was both enormous and garish in equal measure. All for trying new experiences, the pair decided to take a driverless Uber back to their car, taking the long way round to appreciate this modern-day phenomenon.
Beverly Hills 90210
Was it the glamour of 90210, or was it more like Beverly Hills Cop? According to the young person, there were hundreds of cop cars everywhere ensuring law and order were in place amidst the millionaire mansions and stylish shops that lined the legendary Rodeo Drive. They took in the view of the famous Hollywood sign, standing tall on the hillside of this dazzling cinematic landscape.
Before calling it a day, and giving in to jet lag, the pair visited Angelina Heights to see the iconic house that featured in The Fast and the Furious film. This was a real bucket list experience for the young motor enthusiast, who loved visiting the house where Dwayne Johnson and the late Paul Walker once stood.
At the end of a jam-packed day, it was time to drive back to the hotel and get some much-needed rest.
Trip to Tinseltown
On day two, the pair made their way to the landmark Hollywood Walk of Fame to dwell in the glamour of the star-studded sidewalk. In search of Hollywood’s elite, they found the stars for Donald Duck, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock.
And from terra firma to terrestrial telescopes, the pair then drove up to the Griffith Observatory – a famous planetarium, science museum and observatory which offers spectacular views over the Los Angeles Basin, Downtown LA and the Hollywood Sign. Despite the clouds, the pair enjoyed watching the sunset from this iconic viewpoint, drawing a close to another incredible day.
Death Valley
On day three, the intrepid travellers journeyed to the Death Valley National Park – the lowest, hottest and driest place in North America. Armed with SPF 50, they braced the extreme heat with temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees. Thank goodness for air con and the spring water pool that was in the resort where they stayed. There was only one place to be in a climate so unforgiving! Despite this, it was another experience to add to the holiday bucket list.
The following day they drove along the world-famous Route 66 – a 2,448-mile historic highway spanning eight states from Chicago to Santa Monica. Along the route, the pair were surprised by the abandoned old-fashioned hotels which wouldn’t have looked out of place in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Las Vegas
The following day, the pair jumped in the truck and made their way to Las Vegas – home of world-class casinos, vibrant nightlife and entertainment. To say Vegas was an assault on the senses was an understatement. The larger-than-life casinos lit up the skyline, the Fountains of Bellagio danced in synchronicity and the tourists paraded along the promenade past replicas of the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower and St Mark’s Square. Aside from this, there were police cars everywhere, sirens screaming and people shouting at each other. There was also a high level of homelessness, which was hard to see.
One for the Instagram page, the pair visited the ‘Welcome to Las Vegas’ sign as the sun was setting – another tick on the holiday bucket list. They also saw The Sphere, an enormous music and entertainment arena east of the Vegas strip. The pair happened to be in Vegas for the 4th July celebrations and, after making their way across a packed bridge, they took their spot in front of the MGM Grand Arena to watch the amazing fireworks display – the loudest fireworks the young person had ever heard.
Orlando – Theme Park Capital of the World
After the hype of Vegas, it was time to fly to sunny Orlando to spend the last few days of their holiday relaxing by the pool and visiting some of the key sights. During their time in Florida, they visited the shopping malls, dined in the world’s biggest McDonald’s and walked around a lot. On one of the days, they travelled to Lake Panasoffkee – an area known for its spring-fed lake teeming with fish and other incredible wildlife, such as alligators and bald eagles.
It was here they visited a wildlife park and the young person volunteered to hold an alligator that was almost the same height as him! A quick snap… of the camera… and thankfully he could place the animal back down and dry up his sweaty palms. The park also featured deer, flamingos and buffalo, and he got to feed a 16-foot alligator, which hissed at him as he threw in the food with the utmost trepidation.
Time to Come Home
After an incredible American adventure, it was time to travel back home to enjoy the Scottish summer and share stories of the incredible memories they had made. The foster carer always goes to great lengths to ensure young people in his care go to, see and experience the places in the world they’ve always wanted to visit. As American jazz and blues artist Louis Armstrong sang, ‘What a Wonderful World’ – and special people like him help young people see, experience and believe in just how wonderful it can be.