The Perfect Family Trip 2017: Can't decide where to go.

[tragusa3]

Many of you have followed along on our last two 6 week summer trips (if not, links in my sig). In 2014 we looped the SW, in 2016 we looped the NW.

Our plan was to do the NE summer of 2017. We were going to the big cities, the patriotic sites, lobster fishing, and Acadia NP. However, as the time draws near, we are not all that excited about doing the NE. On one hand, we are pulled by the adventure of seeing things we haven't seen. On the other, in 2014 we fell in love with the SW and want to do it again! We know that we skipped many, many things in the SW and feel we could make a similar loop and see all new things.

We have family in Michigan and they want us to make a summer out of Michigan. We want to, but being with family doesn't have the sense of adventure we're looking for.

We've tossed around California, but that would turn the summer into more driving than we'd like. The sites would be amazing, but after 6k miles each of the last 3 summers, the idea of an 8k mile summer makes my stomach turn. Sure would enjoy being there though. Besides, we're late to get reservations (Yosemite in particular).

We've thought about flying to the west coast and renting either a Class C or large van to car camp. However, this could be a whole different budget than we have in mind. And, car camping would be rough on us and require most meals in restaurants.

In the far back of my mind, I have an old college friend that owns a large coffee farm in Guatemala. She's asked for 30 years that I bring the family down there. I know NOTHING about international travel and all that comes to mind is the safety of my family. It's SCARY, but does sound like an adventure.

Also thought about backpacking Europe, but wanted the kids to be older. They are 12 now and thought maybe around 16 we would start considering that.

As you can see, we're all over the map. Maybe we're not giving the NE credit enough? It would be less driving, but likely similar money overall, as the cities are expensive. Oh, did I mention we live rural and that my skin starts crawling every time we go into town for supplies?

Any thoughts? In the end, everyone is different and only we know what to do. But it would be fun to hear you guys kick around thoughts and ideas. (We have 6 weeks)

[Busskipper]

tragusa3 wrote:
All of these suggestions sound wonderful, and will be used. Maybe not this coming summer, but we'll get there!

WE HAVE FLIPPED AGAIN! The winds have blown, once again, pushing us to the East Coast trip. We told ourselves that by Christmas we would commit to one or the other.

Pros for East Coast:

Less driving (maybe half).
History lessons for the kids.
Things we haven't seen before.

Cons for East Coast:

Not as "Grand"
Congestion and people drive me insane

Anyway, I'm pulling out a calendar today and mapping out the East Coat.

Don't quit reading guys. I know we're being fickle. 😞

No wrong choices - BUT - IMHO - History is for High schoolers, and fun is for kids - they are still Kids? If so lets have some FUN - while we can all still hike into those mountains.

Maybe one more Flip?

Just incase you missed it Lots of Great trips.

BOL,

[tragusa3]

All of these suggestions sound wonderful, and will be used. Maybe not this coming summer, but we'll get there!

WE HAVE FLIPPED AGAIN! The winds have blown, once again, pushing us to the East Coast trip. We told ourselves that by Christmas we would commit to one or the other.

Pros for East Coast:

Less driving (maybe half).
History lessons for the kids.
Things we haven't seen before.

Cons for East Coast:

Not as "Grand"
Congestion and people drive me insane

Anyway, I'm pulling out a calendar today and mapping out the East Coat.

Don't quit reading guys. I know we're being fickle. 😞

[Busskipper]

tragusa3 wrote:
Now we're cooking' !!! Lots of ideas and internet researching on my part!

Two years ago, we jeeped through the Alpine Loop and had lunch in Lake City. While there, we immediately said that it was a place we could spend a week or more! We don't have our own off road toy (other than the truck). I checked rental places, and it seems extremely expensive. Any ideas on that?

4runnerguy and his post's
This is the Colorado Resident Expert, Read through his posts, on this and anything else in Colorado, you will likely find the info you need - if not - send him a PM.

Having followed your post before, IMHO, Colorado for six weeks - will just be the beginning of a long lasting Love Affair.

Hope this helps out,

Edit;

Your truck will get you to many great adventures in the 4X4 trails of Colorado - just don't get too crazy - some of the best off roads I have been on were gravel and graded - so not everything is crazy;

[tragusa3]

Now we're cooking' !!! Lots of ideas and internet researching on my part!

Two years ago, we jeeped through the Alpine Loop and had lunch in Lake City. While there, we immediately said that it was a place we could spend a week or more! We don't have our own off road toy (other than the truck). I checked rental places, and it seems extremely expensive. Any ideas on that?

[Busskipper]

tragusa3 wrote:


If we went SW again (which I'm leaning to today) Can you make a suggestion for a good 6 week itinerary that does not include the following:

Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Page, AZ, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, Durango, Silverton, Durango, Gunnison and RMNP

We did all of those in 2014.

fun trip - no FUN trip - Lot's of hikes - great areas - Wild Beautiful and in soon to be National Parks.

Colorado - Buena Vista - Collegiate's - Black Canyon of the Gunnison - Gunnison - Independence Pass - Marble - Maroon Bells - Dinosaur NM - Ridgway SP - Great Sand Dunes NP - Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Lake SP - Yampa SP - Stagecoach SP - Golden Gate SP - Rife and Rifle Falls SP - Lake City and 4x4 trails - Hike fish and RELAX - just a great area that will allow your to just enjoy the great outdoors. (don't have to do them all, just enjoy your time and come back again and again)

JMHO,

Window Rock - Canyon de Chelly - Carlsbad Caverns - San Antonio - , just encase you need something on the drive out or home.

[agesilaus]

Oh yeah, in the Goosenecks/Natural Bridges area there is the Moki Dugway which you may want to try. It's perfectly safe but still an adventure: Link

[tragusa3]

That's the kind of list I was hoping for! Sort of a "second tier" of parks.

We are moderate hikers and certainly didn't do ALL we wanted in the big parks. Not opposed to revisiting, but enjoy new stuff too!

[agesilaus]

There are a number of smaller locations around the Four Corners. Monument Vally, Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck SP (possible boondocking site), Rainbow Bridge NM, Hovenweep NM, Canyon of the Ancients, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado NM, CO Hwy 141 a very scenic drive, Great Sand Dunes NM, and a lot of Colorado and Utah state parks: Pink Coral Sand Dunes, Cedar Breaks are just a couple of them. We used Cortez CO and Monticello UT as a home base to explore most of those 4 Corner locations.

If you did the South Rim of Grand Canyon then the North Rim offers a different view and Pipe Spring NM and Vermillion Cliffs are both in that area. Escalante UT has a lot of slot canyons as does Capitol Reef. Those are something you might add to your todo list. Hiking in and out can be strenuous for us flatlanders tho.

We actually have no problem with repeatedly visiting favorite parks. We never feel like we've seen it all. But we do hike and take those dirt backcountry roads to explore. We've been to Bryce 3 or 4 times over the years and a couple of times to Capitol Reef. Yellowstone, Yosemite, Tetons, North Rim, Zion and others we've also done repeated trips to over a 30 year period.

[tragusa3]

Thanks. We did Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Badlands, Black Hills, Devils Tower, Custer...this past summer.

I think what I'd like to do is lesser known or smaller attractions in the 4 corners area...maybe even a neat place to just boondocks in the boonies for a week of the trip? Of course, my rig is what it is...so by the boonies, it would have to be within reason.

Speaking of that, we might really enjoy being off the grid in a few different locations. I have zero ideas though...

I also realize it will be summer in the desert. That makes it even tougher.

[agesilaus]

You've pretty much eliminated the Utah loop. That leaves the northern tier of parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, and Custer Battleground. A viable add on would be Banff and some of the Icefields Pkwy. But you'd have to get passports for anyone over 16. Mammoth Caves is one you could add to that list. The St Louis Arch another but personally I'll do a lot to avoid driving thru that town.

I assume you don't want to drive all the way to the Pacific which would add Olympic NP and Cascades NP. If you did decide to head further west then Craters of the Moon could be added.

[tragusa3]

Thanks for the last few posts. We are letting the kids play a roll in the decisions, but that isn't helping much...

We are having a meltdown on this decision. We flip back and forth daily.

The NE trip gets a little more interesting once we decided we'd be willing to drive as for as Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. However, internet photos don't look as awe inspiring as out west. I do agree with the poster that said the NE trip is more of a history lesson.

If we went SW again (which I'm leaning to today) Can you make a suggestion for a good 6 week itinerary that does not include the following:

Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, Page, AZ, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, Durango, Silverton, Durango, Gunnison and RMNP

We did all of those in 2014.

Oh heck...my mind just flopped again. 🙂

[welove2drive]

If your family is interested in baseball then Cooperstown is worth the visit. It is a nice small town by a lake. We did not camp that trip so can't comment on camping in the area.

[ThreeEs_and_One]

I often feel very inadequate when reading these forums with all the wealth of experience but I'll chime in on this one.

Our family of four (kids were 10 and 7) did an abbreviated (in comparison to your trips) NE trip. Total we were out 20 days.

We stayed at the Quarryville Jellystone which was about 45mins to an hour to get to Philly, but that was leaving late morning after rush hour. We only went into Philly one day but decided we would do it again. The Market downtown and all the historical sites were great. Kids loved the Jellystone, who would have thought!! From there we traveled to the Boston/Cape Cod KOA.

If there is ever a testament to how kids surprise you this story will surely prove it. We had planned two days in Boston, one of which included visiting the Charlestown Naval Yard where the USS Consitution resides. The Constitution was in dry dock and they were allowing visitors to sign copper sheets that were going to be affixed to the hull. We missed the time slot to do that so we went back to camp. Before we made this trip we had promised our 10 year old daughter we would take her to the American Girl Store in Boston. That was to be our plan for the next day after seeing the USS Constitution. When we got back to camp we all lamented not being able to put our names on the copper. My daughter came back and said she would rather do that than go to the American Girl Store.

I guess this is a long way of saying, do the NE trip. You and your kids will love it.

Message me if you would like more details. We had an amazing time.

[2gypsies1]

Good idea with letting the children choose where they want to go but I'd advise giving them 3 or 4 choices based on where YOU want to go or are willing to drive. 🙂

[Busskipper]

tragusa3 wrote:
Many of you have followed along on our last two 6 week summer trips (if not, links in my sig). In 2014 we looped the SW, in 2016 we looped the NW.

Our plan was to do the NE summer of 2017. We were going to the big cities, the patriotic sites, lobster fishing, and Acadia NP. However, as the time draws near, we are not all that excited about doing the NE. On one hand, we are pulled by the adventure of seeing things we haven't seen. On the other, in 2014 we fell in love with the SW and want to do it again! We know that we skipped many, many things in the SW and feel we could make a similar loop and see all new things.

We have family in Michigan and they want us to make a summer out of Michigan. We want to, but being with family doesn't have the sense of adventure we're looking for.

We've tossed around California, but that would turn the summer into more driving than we'd like. The sites would be amazing, but after 6k miles each of the last 3 summers, the idea of an 8k mile summer makes my stomach turn. Sure would enjoy being there though. Besides, we're late to get reservations (Yosemite in particular).

We've thought about flying to the west coast and renting either a Class C or large van to car camp. However, this could be a whole different budget than we have in mind. And, car camping would be rough on us and require most meals in restaurants.

In the far back of my mind, I have an old college friend that owns a large coffee farm in Guatemala. She's asked for 30 years that I bring the family down there. I know NOTHING about international travel and all that comes to mind is the safety of my family. It's SCARY, but does sound like an adventure.

Also thought about backpacking Europe, but wanted the kids to be older. They are 12 now and thought maybe around 16 we would start considering that.

As you can see, we're all over the map. Maybe we're not giving the NE credit enough? It would be less driving, but likely similar money overall, as the cities are expensive. Oh, did I mention we live rural and that my skin starts crawling every time we go into town for supplies?

Any thoughts? In the end, everyone is different and only we know what to do. But it would be fun to hear you guys kick around thoughts and ideas. (We have 6 weeks)

IMHO you need to ASK the KIDs - let them do a little research and maybe repeat - with a little more time to enjoy - the special places they enjoyed.

This family did a lot and have, so you might just look into their trips for insight, their log is one of the best out there and has great, concise info.

Best of Luck - (let the kids help in the final decision)