Eco, always good to hear from you. If your sig is right (are those ages or years?) then yours are younger than mine. Mine are 11 now. They didn't complain once, on either trip. They are glued to their devices these days, but we were fair about when we allowed it and when we didn't. Hahahaha, they even developed a song and dance they did when we needed the generator for charging. They knew that this also meant some Playstation time. It worked for us. They averaged about an hour a day of gaming. Some days much longer, like driving the mid west. We'd love to do the Pacific Coast, but just can't swing it driving. We are starting to look into Flying out and renting a class C.
My "middle states" comment wasn't meant to stir a debate. I should have refrained. I suppose when you've driven for days, you are hoping for more than world's larges pile of dirt. You'll see as my story unfolds, that we DID stop at many things in these states.
CloudDriver, I bet you had a fantastic trip! I often think about who I unknowingly camped near that is active on this forum. We were in Tetons early June and started at Yellowstone June 13th for 5 nights.
michigansandzilla, my friend, good to hear from you! The time issue can become a sensitive subject amongst working people. Our friends take every opportunity to let us know. Not in all cases, but in a few, they could free up the time but chose not to make the sacrifice. My wife had to play her cards just right in order to get the summer off. She got it, but in return, she works the rest of the year without a day off and we loose about 2 months of her income. I speculate it also impacts her future growth. For us, this is a no brainer...we do it and take advantage of the summer. But for many, they either aren't disciplined enough with their time or finances to do so. I realize that the majority of people wouldn't get the time off no matter how they played their cards. People use what they have in different ways. We know people that go to the same spot at the beach every summer. They seem in awe of what we do, but they aren't willing to give up the beach trip. I don't get it, but it isn't my life to get.
Sorry, you hit a topic I'm becoming passionate about. I know what a powerful experience these trips have been for my family, and will advocate hard for others to find a way. In our wildest imagination we didn't think this path would open for us.
MSZ, I know you take great advantage of your time. I, too, have enjoyed your reports. My children and wife have read yours as well.
bikendan, I hear you. :) I cringe when I hear people call the Carolinas, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, "the south". Being from New Orleans, some of those states are pretty far north from my perspective! LOL I'll change the title of the trip when we make another one further. Of course, I might call that one "The Pacific Northwest"?
BTW, I'm visiting my parents right now and everyone is a late sleeper. I'm typing so much so that I have company with my morning coffee. I won't be so prolific once school starts back.
