HomeExchange member Gina was a guest at a HomeExchange home in St. George, Utah in 2018 with her family. She shares her story of the swap, as well as hosting members in her own home for the first time.
What was it that attracted you to this exchange opportunity in St. George, Utah?
[My host] Barbara's home was beautiful and so close to many of southern Utah's treasures that we wanted to explore. It had plenty of room for our family, and a nice outdoor space as well. We were excited that they could accommodate us over spring break.
What happened when you arrived at the home?
Barbara met us at the house to show us around. They had a binder full of great ideas of fun things to do around St. George. Their home had a code on the front door that was very easy to use. Barbara was available by phone for any questions that we had and it was nice to meet her in person.
What did you see or do during your exchange?
We visited Zion National Park. We went on a gorgeous hike there. The town square in St. George had a fun splash pad that our girls loved playing in. We explored Snow Canyon State Park. We visited Nielson's Frozen Custard for a delicious ice cream treat.
What is the favorite memory from your exchange?
My favorite memory from the exchange was being with my family in a beautiful place. We loved leaving the snow behind and soaking up the sun. Hiking in the red rocks was a definite highlight. So was relaxing in the backyard.
You have also hosted people in your own home. How was that experience?
We had fears around whether or not our home would meet our guests' expectations. We were a little nervous about how they would treat our home and we hoped  communication would be smooth. Communicating with our guests and getting to know them helped alleviate our fears. They had done several home exchanges and helped show us the ropes.
It's fun to be able to share information about the area where you live with other people. We love what our area has to offer in terms of the outdoors and are excited to share it. It's neat to meet people from other places. It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it might be. People are generally very respectful in the HomeExchange community.
How would you describe HomeExchange to your family and friends?
It's the best way to travel! So convenient and fun.
