It's Now or Never - 1 year country tour

[ependydad]

Starting June 19th, my wife and I are taking our two kids on a trip around the country for a little over a year. The biggest unfortunate is that I'll be working full-time while we do it. This means that each stop is extremely limited in what we can go do or see (we'll move each Monday, I'll work Tuesday to Friday, and we'll site-see on the weekend). Because we do have a limited amount of time (even a year is WAY too short), I had to make hard choices of what to stop and see in each state. I'm missing some really great things- I know. 😞

We're largely ignoring the north-east and east coast as we currently live in Maryland. Meaning, these areas are all accessible as future summer trips.

Like everyone else, I'll be blogging about the adventure - Now Or Never

[ependydad]

wxtoad wrote:
A few years ago we made an 8-month trip around the US.

And since then we've returned out west twice from our New England home - in the fall and winter of 2011-2012 and in 2013-2014.

There is SOOO much to see out across this great country and we have only touched the surface.

WxToad

Great stuff, WxToad. Thanks!

[wxtoad]

A few years ago we made an 8-month trip around the US.

And since then we've returned out west twice from our New England home - in the fall and winter of 2011-2012 and in 2013-2014.

There is SOOO much to see out across this great country and we have only touched the surface.

WxToad

[ependydad]

Chock Full o' Nuts wrote:
How wonderful! I'm glad you are doing this now, while you can. We never know what life will throw at us, so we?

We took our kids on a 2-month cross-country trip in 2007 and it was the best vacation adventure of our lives. DHs health has declined to the point that we could not do that trip now. But not a week goes by that one of us doesn't mention or reminisce about that trip.

Go forth and conquer!

So sorry to hear about your DH's health. I am a firm believer in doing things while we can (or are young and dumb enough to think they're good ideas at the time!).

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
Here is great photography forum that you might find helpful. Use the search feature and you can probably find out where to go for photos on almost any of your destinations. There is a cityscape subforum and a landscape among others.

And you are good to go on your camera but I recommend a tripod if you don't have one. Ideally a good carbon graphite with ball head. You can find one for a couple hundred these days if you don't need one to support heavy lenses. You can also probably pick up a used aluminum one relatively cheaply. Aluminum is actually stronger it's just heavier so its cheaper. Either choice is better than a $20 Walmart tripod but even that is better than nothing. For a one year trip though, I would get a good one. Fred Miranda will also have plenty reviews and links to B&H.

Fred Miranda

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to check around for a tripod. I have a really crappy one from back when Ritz was open. I tried using it for product photos for a friend's charity, but I found it would slowly sink and move. I'll checkout the forum.

fanrgs wrote:
We live in the West and have been to nearly all the areas you are visiting here. But we just returned from a rare RV trip east of the Mississippi. Two of our favorite places visited on that trip are the Natchez Trace Parkway and Mammoth Cave National Park.

The Parkway runs from Natchez, MS, all the way to Nashville, TN. The road is two-lane, is controlled access with no stoplights, has 45 to 55 MPH speed limits, and is nearly deserted much of the year. But, because it avoids or is screened from most of the towns along the route, you really feel like you are traveling through a remote area. The NPS even has a Web page for RVers at Natchez Trace RVing.

Traveling the Trace is a great way to study early "western" American history, since this really was the first "American West." You can visit the inn where Meriwether Lewis committed suicide. I know it sounds morbid for kids, but it brings a new realization to the stress that he was under during his multiyear expedition. You can also see Indian mounds, sites along the Trail of Tears, antebellum plantations, Civil War battlefields, and many other historical attractions along or near the road. Riding bikes and hiking along portions of the Trace with your kids will give them a feel for how long it took to travel even a well-worn, heavily traveled, 450-mile trail in the early 1800's. And traveling the Trace in the spring with the dogwood, redbud, magnolia, and other spring flowering plants in bloom really puts the frosting on the cake!

Mammoth Cave is the largest cave in the world and is very different than Carlsbad, Wind Cave, or many of the other national park/monument caverns. Maybe the kids would enjoy one of the tours where you have to wear a hardhat, light, and crawl through passageways. That would really give them a feel for spelunking that they wouldn't get many other places.

Thanks for the ideas! We did Mammoth Cave last summer as we drove home from Alabama. Beautiful area and would have liked to have spent more time there.

I've been doing reading about the Natchez Trace trail. I originally had a route planned from Natchez, MS to Memphis, TN but that has shifted around somewhat. I may need to see what can be re-arranged.

[fanrgs]

We live in the West and have been to nearly all the areas you are visiting here. But we just returned from a rare RV trip east of the Mississippi. Two of our favorite places visited on that trip are the Natchez Trace Parkway and Mammoth Cave National Park.

The Parkway runs from Natchez, MS, all the way to Nashville, TN. The road is two-lane, is controlled access with no stoplights, has 45 to 55 MPH speed limits, and is nearly deserted much of the year. But, because it avoids or is screened from most of the towns along the route, you really feel like you are traveling through a remote area. The NPS even has a Web page for RVers at Natchez Trace RVing.

Traveling the Trace is a great way to study early "western" American history, since this really was the first "American West." You can visit the inn where Meriwether Lewis committed suicide. I know it sounds morbid for kids, but it brings a new realization to the stress that he was under during his multiyear expedition. You can also see Indian mounds, sites along the Trail of Tears, antebellum plantations, Civil War battlefields, and many other historical attractions along or near the road. Riding bikes and hiking along portions of the Trace with your kids will give them a feel for how long it took to travel even a well-worn, heavily traveled, 450-mile trail in the early 1800's. And traveling the Trace in the spring with the dogwood, redbud, magnolia, and other spring flowering plants in bloom really puts the frosting on the cake!

Mammoth Cave is the largest cave in the world and is very different than Carlsbad, Wind Cave, or many of the other national park/monument caverns. Maybe the kids would enjoy one of the tours where you have to wear a hardhat, light, and crawl through passageways. That would really give them a feel for spelunking that they wouldn't get many other places.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

Here is great photography forum that you might find helpful. Use the search feature and you can probably find out where to go for photos on almost any of your destinations. There is a cityscape subforum and a landscape among others.

And you are good to go on your camera but I recommend a tripod if you don't have one. Ideally a good carbon graphite with ball head. You can find one for a couple hundred these days if you don't need one to support heavy lenses. You can also probably pick up a used aluminum one relatively cheaply. Aluminum is actually stronger it's just heavier so its cheaper. Either choice is better than a $20 Walmart tripod but even that is better than nothing. For a one year trip though, I would get a good one. Fred Miranda will also have plenty reviews and links to B&H.

Fred Miranda

[Chock_Full_o__N]

How wonderful! I'm glad you are doing this now, while you can. We never know what life will throw at us, so we?

We took our kids on a 2-month cross-country trip in 2007 and it was the best vacation adventure of our lives. DHs health has declined to the point that we could not do that trip now. But not a week goes by that one of us doesn't mention or reminisce about that trip.

Go forth and conquer!

[ependydad]

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
That helped. Yes, you will be East of Sierras on second trip. You have a pin at Carson City. I expect you intended to make the side trek to Lake Tahoe but if not, you want to do that. You can drive around the lake in one day with stops at interesting places.

Your route through Louisiana puts you within 30 miles of my home town.

Yep, Lake Tahoe is our primary reason for stopping in Carson City. We drove around it probably 11 years ago now while we were in Reno. I only sort of remember it. I do remember going to Virginia City and thinking that was cool.

The funny part about Louisiana is that my work has an office there. I'm going to go down and work side-by-side with folks who I've only met on person.

Reader1 wrote:
Have a wonderful trip. We took the kids for a month long trip west and as adults they have wonderful, funny, and some intense memories that we talk about a lot. I would suggest keeping a journal of your adventures, campgrounds, and all the funny things that happen.

We definitely will have something. I've got the blog started and one of my daughter's roadschool assignments is to create and actively update a blog. I also take a ton of photos and can see turning them into something.

Tvov wrote:
Just poking my nose in here to follow your adventures. You are doing what most campers dream about.

You should be able to sign up for email updates on my blog - http://nowornever.learntorv.com/

Busskipper wrote:

tragusa3 wrote:

spoon059 wrote:

MPond wrote:

4runnerguy wrote:
I've been almost everywhere you've got on your map, and I have to say you'll miss some of the most fantastic scenery in the country if you can't make time to visit SW Colorado (the San Juans, Salida/Buena Vista, Mesa Verde, etc.) and southern Utah (Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands). I'd gladly give up several of the weeks you have scheduled for Nebraska, Oklahoma, TX, and going to Pikes Peak 😛 to be able to take your kids to some of the most wonderful and magical places in the US. Places like Durango, Moab, Salida, and St. George will have the business facilities you might need on the road

...

I would pay serious attention to these comments from 4runnerguy. The SW Colorado (San Juans) and Southern Utah areas are absolutely breathtaking. We go back there every couple years, and never get tired of it. We're going again this year and are counting the days..

In the San Juans I'd highly recommend Ouray, CO and Silverton, CO, and in Utah I would never miss a chance to stop at Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky region).

I'll third that notion. I had some great memories from our trip. The American Southwest are among the best.

Carlsbad Caverns was one of the coolest places I've ever been. Standing in the 4 corners was a fun experience. The Mesa Verde cliff dwellings were amazing. The landscape and colors of the desert out their were breathtaking. 20 years later, still very vivid memories.

A fourth here...I took my family to this area for 6 weeks last summer. It was an experience beyond our dreams. I have a trip report here if interested.

Good on you for making this happen for your family. Having a "unique to your family" adventure is worth its weight in gold for your relationships with each other.

I'm in a unique position for our family to do 2 month trips each year (probably less than 1% of working folks)....you are the .1% to have a YEAR.

Research, research, research!

Mpond also has a great log of his family travels -- do a search - If I am correct he is also into the Programing thing.

Let me just add to Kens comments - IMHO the trips east and west are OK but what we have learned is so much better to work North South and use the elevations to cool off in the summer and the desert to warm up in the winter. You are much better served with the use of your time to stay put and sort of circle out to explore.

Just one more emphasis on the Southwest - Yellowstone is the most diverse and expansive place on earth. Glacier is just plain Beautiful.
Having been to most of these places many times I personally have never had more pure enjoyment for the Wild Unspoiled Beauty that is available in Colorado and Utah. If I only had one year to explore 50% of the time would be in the Southwest - Mountains, Rivers, Red Rocks, Wild, uncrowded, and just simply the BEST.

Having six granddaughters now, I can understand why Micky and the Rockies with the Ski resorts and Large lakes can add some diversity in the summer for the DD, just a thought. After a visit to Maroon Bells one September I ask the GD's what was the most enjoyable thing we did "skipping rocks on the creek" They just want to have fun, but they will remember.

No matter how you do it will never be forgotten and always appreciated.

BOL,

Thank you all for your great input and kind words! I'll take a look at our plans and see what I can do to include more. I've been saving posts to refer back to them for ideas.

MPond wrote:
Here are links to my trip reports on the forums:
2011: Utah - Colorado - Arizona Trip Report
2012: Trip Report - 4 Weeks in Colorado

Or you can see them on my site here:
RoadTrip2011
2011 - Ouray, CO
2011 - Mesa Verde (Cortez, CO)

RoadTrip2012
2012 - Ouray, CO
2012 - Silverton, CO
2012 - Mesa Verde (Cortez, CO)

In 2013 we headed north, and skipped Colorado. But there are some good ideas on Yellowstone, Glacier, etc..
RoadTrip 2013

Way cool! I'll definitely read through these.

[MPond]

Busskipper wrote:


Mpond also has a great log of his family travels -- do a search - If I am correct he is also into the Programing thing.

...

Thanks Busskipper.

Here are links to my trip reports on the forums:
2011: Utah - Colorado - Arizona Trip Report
2012: Trip Report - 4 Weeks in Colorado

Or you can see them on my site here:
RoadTrip2011
2011 - Ouray, CO
2011 - Mesa Verde (Cortez, CO)

RoadTrip2012
2012 - Ouray, CO
2012 - Silverton, CO
2012 - Mesa Verde (Cortez, CO)

In 2013 we headed north, and skipped Colorado. But there are some good ideas on Yellowstone, Glacier, etc..
RoadTrip 2013

[michigansandzil]

ependydad wrote:
As for Detroit- the 3 things that I was thinking was 1) the Henry Ford Museum 2) making the trip down to Elkhart to see the RV Hall of Fame and 3) a personal trip to Ann Arbor for the Ride 4 Kids.

The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village are connected together. Henry Ford Museum is inside and Greenfield Village is outside. If you only get to choose one, your kids will enjoy the Village more than the museum. We went the Museum once this winter and we went to the Village twice last year and we'll go again next week. Your kids will be tired of walking before you see everything in the Village.

While in Ann Arbor, my kids liked the Hands on Museum if you have time for it. Might be a nice spot to spend a few hours. The Mathaei Botanical Gardens is a nice little spot to stop as well. There's a kid play area inside that my kids liked.

Where are you staying in Detroit? There are no campgrounds near Greenfield Village itself, but with kids, I'd highly recommend staying at Camp Dearborn, it has FHU sites and is approx 45 mintues from either Greenfield Village and Ann Arbor. It's in a safe area with a little town. Your wife and kids can play at the park in town and walk around the downtown area comfortably for ice cream, shopping, etc. There are bike trails close by and Kensington Metropark is 5 minutes away with a great petting farm and nature trails. It's about 15 minutes off of the expressway that can get you to the Village or Ann Arbor. But, the expressway gets very congested at rush hour, just a heads up.

Happy Planning!

[OutdoorPhotogra]

spoon059 wrote:

I'll third that notion. I had some great memories from our trip. The American Southwest are among the best.

Carlsbad Caverns was one of the coolest places I've ever been. Standing in the 4 corners was a fun experience. The Mesa Verde cliff dwellings were amazing. The landscape and colors of the desert out their were breathtaking. 20 years later, still very vivid memories.

I'll second Carlsbad by saying it my biggest regret of attractions we skipped due to time when we were close enough to make a detour. It's going to be hard to work it in now before my kids are out of the house.

Also, a tip, I bookmarked a thread on Lancaster, PA this morning because that's a destination for next year for us. You might bookmark the threads that regularly pop up on campgrounds, National Parks, etc. Sure search works but if you know you're going to visit, subscribing to the thread (no email notifications) makes it easy to find when you need the information.

[Busskipper]

tragusa3 wrote:

spoon059 wrote:

MPond wrote:

4runnerguy wrote:
I've been almost everywhere you've got on your map, and I have to say you'll miss some of the most fantastic scenery in the country if you can't make time to visit SW Colorado (the San Juans, Salida/Buena Vista, Mesa Verde, etc.) and southern Utah (Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands). I'd gladly give up several of the weeks you have scheduled for Nebraska, Oklahoma, TX, and going to Pikes Peak 😛 to be able to take your kids to some of the most wonderful and magical places in the US. Places like Durango, Moab, Salida, and St. George will have the business facilities you might need on the road

...

I would pay serious attention to these comments from 4runnerguy. The SW Colorado (San Juans) and Southern Utah areas are absolutely breathtaking. We go back there every couple years, and never get tired of it. We're going again this year and are counting the days..

In the San Juans I'd highly recommend Ouray, CO and Silverton, CO, and in Utah I would never miss a chance to stop at Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky region).

I'll third that notion. I had some great memories from our trip. The American Southwest are among the best.

Carlsbad Caverns was one of the coolest places I've ever been. Standing in the 4 corners was a fun experience. The Mesa Verde cliff dwellings were amazing. The landscape and colors of the desert out their were breathtaking. 20 years later, still very vivid memories.

A fourth here...I took my family to this area for 6 weeks last summer. It was an experience beyond our dreams. I have a trip report here if interested.

Good on you for making this happen for your family. Having a "unique to your family" adventure is worth its weight in gold for your relationships with each other.

I'm in a unique position for our family to do 2 month trips each year (probably less than 1% of working folks)....you are the .1% to have a YEAR.

Research, research, research!

Mpond also has a great log of his family travels -- do a search - If I am correct he is also into the Programing thing.

Let me just add to Kens comments - IMHO the trips east and west are OK but what we have learned is so much better to work North South and use the elevations to cool off in the summer and the desert to warm up in the winter. You are much better served with the use of your time to stay put and sort of circle out to explore.

Just one more emphasis on the Southwest - Yellowstone is the most diverse and expansive place on earth. Glacier is just plain Beautiful.
Having been to most of these places many times I personally have never had more pure enjoyment for the Wild Unspoiled Beauty that is available in Colorado and Utah. If I only had one year to explore 50% of the time would be in the Southwest - Mountains, Rivers, Red Rocks, Wild, uncrowded, and just simply the BEST.

Having six granddaughters now, I can understand why Micky and the Rockies with the Ski resorts and Large lakes can add some diversity in the summer for the DD, just a thought. After a visit to Maroon Bells one September I ask the GD's what was the most enjoyable thing we did "skipping rocks on the creek" They just want to have fun, but they will remember.

No matter how you do it will never be forgotten and always appreciated.

BOL,

[Tvov]

Just poking my nose in here to follow your adventures. You are doing what most campers dream about.

[Reader1]

Have a wonderful trip. We took the kids for a month long trip west and as adults they have wonderful, funny, and some intense memories that we talk about a lot. I would suggest keeping a journal of your adventures, campgrounds, and all the funny things that happen.

[tragusa3]

spoon059 wrote:

MPond wrote:

4runnerguy wrote:
I've been almost everywhere you've got on your map, and I have to say you'll miss some of the most fantastic scenery in the country if you can't make time to visit SW Colorado (the San Juans, Salida/Buena Vista, Mesa Verde, etc.) and southern Utah (Bryce, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands). I'd gladly give up several of the weeks you have scheduled for Nebraska, Oklahoma, TX, and going to Pikes Peak 😛 to be able to take your kids to some of the most wonderful and magical places in the US. Places like Durango, Moab, Salida, and St. George will have the business facilities you might need on the road

...

I would pay serious attention to these comments from 4runnerguy. The SW Colorado (San Juans) and Southern Utah areas are absolutely breathtaking. We go back there every couple years, and never get tired of it. We're going again this year and are counting the days..

In the San Juans I'd highly recommend Ouray, CO and Silverton, CO, and in Utah I would never miss a chance to stop at Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky region).

I'll third that notion. I had some great memories from our trip. The American Southwest are among the best.

Carlsbad Caverns was one of the coolest places I've ever been. Standing in the 4 corners was a fun experience. The Mesa Verde cliff dwellings were amazing. The landscape and colors of the desert out their were breathtaking. 20 years later, still very vivid memories.

A fourth here...I took my family to this area for 6 weeks last summer. It was an experience beyond our dreams. I have a trip report here if interested.

Good on you for making this happen for your family. Having a "unique to your family" adventure is worth its weight in gold for your relationships with each other.

I'm in a unique position for our family to do 2 month trips each year (probably less than 1% of working folks)....you are the .1% to have a YEAR.

Research, research, research!