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Trip Report: The Perfect Family Trip!

tragusa3
Explorer
Explorer
EDIT: I wanted to add this link here at the beginning.

Ragusa's Summer 2014 Trailer


Hello friends! We have been home for two months, but I am just now feeling like getting to the trip report. The trip was so EPIC, that I was honestly a bit intimidated to put it into a thread. Realizing now that I could never do the trip justice, I decided to just jump in and let the report come out the best it does.

Over the last year or more, many folks on this forum had helped in the planning over on this thread: A year of planning for the perfect family trip! Thank you to all that contributed.

Some were put off by my use of the word "perfect", saying that it wasn't possible. Well, not only was it possible, but it was accomplished! Perfect doesn't mean trouble free. Having the right state of mind is necessary at times. But all in all, 99% of the trip went off exactly as we had hoped.

I want to give a thorough report. We have 20,000 photos and over 20 hours of video to sort and sift through. I've been working diligently on iMovie and already have half the trip put together. I put together a very brief slideshow for close friends and family, and even that is a 4 hour process showing some 1,000 pictures. That being said, the photos and videos are a labor of love for us personally. I hope to share them with people, but understand how hard it is to sit through other families home movies. That's where you folks come in! We have a common interest. Campers, camping, travel, etc. I think posting here will be a great way to share with the community.

The trip: We left on June 6, 2014 from South Carolina and headed west for a 40 day loop through the Southwest. We hit as many National Parks as we could in that time frame. When we parked the truck in the driveway, the odometer read 5,999.9 miles. Every last one of them treasured.

Places visited:

Petrified Forest
Walnut Canyon
Sunset Crater
Wupatki
Grand Canyon
Glen Canyon and Lake Powell
Kanab, Utah
Zion
Bryce
Capitol Reef
Goblin Valley
Arches
Canyonlands
Moab
Mesa Verde
Durango
Silverton
Ouray
Ridgway
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Rocky Mtn National Park
Sand Creek
Wichita
St. Louis

I listed places we actually stopped and did things. There were many other things that were just quick "on the road" stops.


The family: Family of 4. We're in our late 40's with twin 9 year old boys.

My windows to post may be sporadic, so I think it's best for me to post in installments, as I get the time. Like a mini-series. LOL

I'll do my best to keep you entertained and offer opinions for any that have questions.

ADDED: Here's a link to one segment of our home movie 2014 ARCHES VIDEO
New to us 2011 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34TGA
Join us on the road at Rolling Ragu on YouTube!
246 REPLIES 246

Andrewsdk
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for your wonderful post and photos! I am taking my 2 kids (9 & 11) on a long road trip this September and we will be hitting many of the same spots (Grand Canyon, Mesa, Arches) but we are coming from the other side (Seattle area) and only have 2.5 weeks. I can't wait! (Poor hubby needs to stay home and work.)

It looks like you mostly stayed at National Parks? How was that with the trailer? I will have my Dad's motorhome so was looking more for places with hook ups, but saving money is a definite bonus! Did you find you needed reservations?
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4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Explorer II
It's hard to put into words the feelings and memories that your posts brought out. I sat down this am and went through the entire thing at one sitting.

A GREAT TRIP! Well it seems to just fall short as a description for what you did. It is so much more than that. I am very glad you took the time and effort to share it with us. I am sure there are many men out here reading your posts and taking in the wonderful photos of you and your sons and wishing their fathers had been more like you.

I certainly hope you will take another trip this year and share that too.

Good Luck to you and your family. Take Care.

4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Explorer II
tragusa3 wrote:
I debated whether to post the following thoughts, but decided I am among friends here! It is really a side topic, and I don't want to derail the trip report. Too much.

I realize that this trip has become much larger than a trip for us. It has been a year of planning, the journey itself, and finally, the six months of post production building videos and sharing on this forum. All of these experiences together add up to a chapter of our family story just below a new child, marriage, etc. It has done so in a way that I'm very thankful for, but my attempts at sharing our story expose a not so positive side. The trip has grown into something larger than life for me, but not for everyone around me. I'll cut to the chase...

After 100's of hours of working on the videos, I have become too sensitive of remarks from family when I mention that we want to share them. It feels like working years on a painting that no one wants to hang on their wall. As mentioned earlier, I was most excited to share with my parents. Well, my efforts haven't been received with the same excitement.

Let me describe. The whole family is here (13 people). We sit around the living room and everyone is busy with eyes glued to their phones. It's the new world we live in. People being so busy with the people they aren't with to give any attention to the people they are. It's a soap box topic for me, from which I'll stop now.

When we first showed up, I mentioned that we were excited to share the trip, and although its exciting, it was long. I suggested we watch little bits here and there. Eyes started rolling and my brother even said, "you must be crazy if you think I'm sitting for that". That isn't a big deal, he could leave the room for all I care, but my parents had a similar body language. So I dropped it. Two days later, as I sat watching everyone catch up with the real mistress of their lives (Facebook), I decided to ask again..."let's watch just one chapter". My dad says, "how long is that, because I'm tired". Apparently, when you're tired, you can watch video of hamster running on a wheel, and the latest in cat pictures from strangers, but you can't watch...well, you see where I'm going.

So here I am, several days in to our visit, and haven't shown one piece of our trip. No one has asked anything about it.

I grew up in a family where parents and grandparents doted over every little thing that the younger generations did. I expected that my parents would want to see all the adventures their grandsons had been on? I thought they couldn't wait, just like we couldn't wait to show them? I thought a lot of things that just aren't reality.

I went to bed last night, deciding that we aren't mentioning another word about it. Yes, I have become sensitive to a fault. I don't expect most people to be interested, but when my "target audience" puts me at least one notch below unicorns and rainbows, my feelings are hurt.

Even though I'm a grown man, I am recognizing that making parents proud is still important.

Anyway, that's that. The most awesome home movies that have ever been created will go into the vault. They are precious to us, and worth every moment making them, even if they aren't seen by anyone else. I just need to remember to be thankful for you guys and bring my iPad next time we visit, so I have something to do.


I will comment later on your devastatingly wonderful trip but felt I had to mention something here:

I have spent the best part of my life working and living in places most people never are lucky enough to get to, Cambodia, West Africa, Egypt, all of Europe and the vast majority of China and SE ASIA.

I know exactly how you feel about your family and their response to your trip and it's photos and movies. The sad fact is that most people are not travelers. Their sense of adventure is limited at best and to see and be shown all the great things that you have done only highlights their lack of a sense of adventure. It seems to me that if my brothers didnt do it, they are not interested in hearing about it.

You have a beautiful family that is obviously close, a pair of great boys and you will always have your memories of this trip. Your sons will one day try to re-live this adventure with their kids or partners. And they are very lucky to have a very loving and caring Father like you. I wish there were more parents like you around. It would cheer me up and give me more hope for the future.

PS. LOVED the movie trailer!

KO
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the great trip report. I live inTampa FL and have been working in Yuma AZ of the last 8,5 years. I had to be on-site in Yuma Mar-Apr and Sep-Oct. every year. This results in 4 cross country trips every year.
I am retiring this August and will be making the last trip. Wife and I and 2 dogs will be making almost the identical Utah to Colorado trip. We have already done Grand Canyon, Sedona, Momument Valley and Arches.
Thanks for the info as we ar planning on many of the same hikes you described (Narrows etc)
Have a good one.

tragusa3
Explorer
Explorer
Tvov, thanks for you thoughts. We are looking forward to our "local" trip too!

I started a new thread, Trip Planning: The Perfect Family Trip 2016! that I wanted to reference here for continuity and to hopefully get some of the great readers here involved in the next installment!
New to us 2011 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34TGA
Join us on the road at Rolling Ragu on YouTube!

Tvov
Explorer II
Explorer II
tragusa3 wrote:
... We are going to use 3 weeks of summer to also travel the South Carolina Coast, but that is a local trip.
...


Our kids are in college and don't really camp with us anymore.

We have reduced our "long distance" trips, and do mostly local trips.

What is amazing, even in a state as small as Connecticut, is how much there is to see! The last couple summers I've made it a priority to try at least one new campground / park a year, and to explore a new area of the state. Virtually every town has an "historical society" and/or museum, and state parks and monuments are all over the place.

I think you will be amazed how much your "local area" has to offer when you really start looking!
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2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
We followed your trip plans and the trip itself and enjoyed every minute of it. We're really looking forward to your next report!

Anyone who has not read this long post really needs to do so, especially if planning a long trip with children. It's awesome and the children are so very lucky to have parents like you! Aloha!!
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michigansandzil
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I am sincerely so happy for you. Having every summer off is a dream come true!

Have a blast in Hawaii!

Incidentally, we'll be travelling to Yellowstone in 2016 as well, so I will be watching your thread for pointers and suggestions. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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tragusa3
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Explorer
I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you to the last few comments.

This thread has been inactive for a while, but I have good reason to bring it back! As you may remember from the beginning, I'm a school teacher and have summers off. However, my wife had to ask special permission for this trip to happen. Well, she talked to the owner of the company and has gotten their blessings to take EVERY summer off!

I can't explain the excitement we have over this. The afternoon that she told me, felt larger than any raise or other accolade we've ever gotten. The trip of a lifetime will be happening many, many times!

In other news, you can see in my signature that we have gone larger with our travel trailer. Sold our trusty Aspen Trail and now have a trailer that includes most features of our wish list.

This summer, we will not be doing the Northwest loop. My parents surprised us at Christmas with a trip to Hawaii this summer! We are going to use 3 weeks of summer to also travel the South Carolina Coast, but that is a local trip.

It looks like "The Perfect Family Trip" will be a periodic. I will include a link here soon when I start a planning thread for "Yellowstone 2016"! Look for it!
New to us 2011 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34TGA
Join us on the road at Rolling Ragu on YouTube!

bee_46
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Explorer
tragusa3 - We also found ourselves near a bull elk that we didn't know was there. We stayed at Trailer Village in the Grand Canyon this summer and used the shuttle to get around. On morning we sat on the bench and waited for the shuttle. As we finally boarded the shuttle we noticed the passengers already on board had their cameras plastered to the windows taking pictures. Unbeknownst to us, not 10 feet behind us, grazing, was a huge bull elk. We did get one picture. After that we were sure to check around before we sat down.

I have enjoyed reading about you trip as we went many of the same places this summer and others we took our children to back in 1989. Brought back many memories.
Bobbie ๐Ÿ™‚

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mikhen
Explorer
Explorer
tragusa3 wrote:
The Road Home: Part 1

I can't say this without hurting someone's feelings, but why anyone would chose to live in this area is beyond me. It seemed that you were at least a 10 hour drive from anything remotely interesting.


My father in law lives in Kansas. I agree with you totally.
And like everyone else who commented, I enjoyed your trip report. Great job!!

jalichty
Explorer
Explorer
trag, have enjoyed your trip through our part of the country, as well as the other parts. It looks like you folks had a great time and the boys really did seem to enjoy it, which is a big concern with young folks. Lots of time the younger ones don't get the same thrill out of something us older folks do. Don't worry about your family not wanting to see your video, 7 1/2 hours is a long time. My wife made a CD for her dad about his life and he fell asleep about two minutes in and never did see the whole thing. Just go with the flow and enjoy life as you have been.
John A. Lichty

tragusa3
Explorer
Explorer
Bonus Footage: #2

At Sunset Crater, the campsite was a playground in itself. Each morning, we'd sit and have our coffee and the kids would wander into the woods. They carried a 2way radio, which worked great for doing spot checks. They kept coming back showing us pieces of lava that they wanted to keep. We obviously said no. Then, the host came by the site and encouraged them to take some. He said that we were outside of the park boundaries and not to worry. I didn't much care that he was encouraging it, but we took a piece anyway. I think the one in my hand here. Being a science teacher, it will touch many kids, and that's how I justified it.



One morning, the boys came across this. Could be a mountain lion print? Or maybe we're seeing things?



A good shot at the GC. I really like that it captures the excitement the boys were feeling.



The shuttle services were fantastic at all parks. Here's an early morning shot at the shuttle stop. You can see that we start off early enough that no one else is there with us. Just getting up early cuts the crowds by a huge amount.





I like this one for two reasons, first, the boys enjoyed this model because it related to things they learned in school the prior year. And second, they look so grown up. It was yesterday that I was changing diapers! I just can't wrap my head around the passing of time...



One morning, I got up extra early to hit the laundry. I took the truck, and passed by an elk. I called back to the camper and let the family know that she was just a short walk from the camper. So my wife took one boy and went for a look. While there, the elk started stomping her hoof and threatened several charges. They jumped behind trees and eventually a car drove by. They got behind the car, but the couple didn't speak english. My wife was asking that they drive slowly and let them walk behind the car to get away. The couple got nervous for some reason and sped off, leaving them in the road alone. Fortunately, the elk became more comfortable and left them alone after that. After this little scene, we cringed every time we saw families getting so close. With this story as background, you can see the groundwork was laid for us to be extra alarmed at the story told earlier when my son and I found ourselves next to a bull elk in RMNP.

New to us 2011 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34TGA
Join us on the road at Rolling Ragu on YouTube!

tragusa3
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Explorer
Thanks clikrf8. It is true. If I get nothing more than one photo with those great smiles on the kids, then the whole deal was a success!

I've made it part way through your website and blog. Good stuff! Thank you for taking the time too.
New to us 2011 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34TGA
Join us on the road at Rolling Ragu on YouTube!

clikrf8
Explorer
Explorer
Tragusa3: the most important part is the happy looks on your kids' faces. The memories and experiences are priceless. You put an extraordinary amount of love and effort into this trip. May you have many more.
I understand what you are saying about TRs and sharing. I am a decent photographer and plan our trips all over the West to some well-known and secret places that are photogenic. I have a few followers on my Wordpress blog but family and friends are another matter. I even send them links when I post but I get more comments and followers from strangers or folks on RV.net.

The truth is I write them to share and if someone I don't know enjoys a place I have shared then that is good. Most family live in New York State. You would think they would enjoy seeing a part of the country they haven't seen but I guess not. Anyway, I and others here have enjoyed your TR and your kids loved it so that matters. Happy trails.
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