On the road-no advance planning

[Kay_and_Gene]

Has anyone ever just hooked up and took off and a long trip without any prior planning? Was it fun or a disaster?

[wrenchbender]

When I was employed I did it rather often to relieve stress.Amazing what 3-4 days away from the grind can do for your world outlook.

[wmoses]

Reader1 wrote:
...I still would prefer to plan everything, but at least I see that this can be fun sometimes. My husband now wants to leave on a trip, and because of exciting stops, never make the end destination. I don't get that at all!

Its all fun and games 'till someone loses an eye ....

Or at least until something goes wrong with lodging, timing of stops, etc. and then how much residual fun is in that depends on personality, I guess.

If everything were to go smoothly then it makes for the best trip for those of us who are not die-hard planners. For those who are then the trip is a pain at the outset and all one can hope for is a selective memory of only the good parts. This selective memory often comes with age, as does selective hearing, selective noticing, etc. 😉

[rkortes]

Reader1 wrote:
Several years ago we left Ohio for the West Coast without planning out the trip at all. I am the "master of the plan" and my husband wanted this trip to be plan free. It really was an amazing trip. Actually our friends at home were taking bets on which one of us would come home alive and which would be buried in an unmarked grave. They were very surprised I loved it. I still would prefer to plan everything, but at least I see that this can be fun sometimes. My husband now wants to leave on a trip, and because of exciting stops, never make the end destination. I don't get that at all!

You've just described my wife and I to a T (whatever T is?). I guess that's the beauty of the ying and the yang!;)

[Reader1]

Several years ago we left Ohio for the West Coast without planning out the trip at all. I am the "master of the plan" and my husband wanted this trip to be plan free. It really was an amazing trip. Actually our friends at home were taking bets on which one of us would come home alive and which would be buried in an unmarked grave. They were very surprised I loved it. I still would prefer to plan everything, but at least I see that this can be fun sometimes. My husband now wants to leave on a trip, and because of exciting stops, never make the end destination. I don't get that at all!

[wmoses]

Kay and Gene wrote:
Has anyone ever just hooked up and took off and a long trip without any prior planning? Was it fun or a disaster?

I don't. I prefer not to get time-wasting "surprises" which are the diametric opposite of fun for me.

[Ivylog]

I go to the local small airport and go in and ask how much to tie down. After they realize I did not fly in it's always free. Local construction companies have large parking areas and I've never been told NO... even had the offer of free power which I do not accept. Most HomeDepot will let you park but you need to ask. Some have reported getting water from the garden center. Many church's will let you park if it's not a time when they will be busy. I carry different church shields.... just kidding:W
The road going into the closed drive in is probably a private road on private property. Why risk trespassing when there are so many places that will let you park if you ask and let them know you will be gone in the morning.

[oldtrojan66]

Maybe this is a silly question, but if you can dry camp, why not find a secondary road with an entrance to a closed up drive-in, for example. There are lots of pull-offs in our part of the country that are not private property and should not cause an issue for an overnight. You could even use the slides if you're far enough off the roadway. I'm thinking there are lots of places like in Tennessee where even the pull-outs are beautiful. Am I asking for trouble?

[oughtsix]

"Lets head over to the valley this weekend. We can find a motel when we get there!" -- Yeah right! Started looking at about 5:00pm. Ended up finding a flea bag hotel at 12:30am. That trip sucked! Thank goodness the kids were not with us. Haven't done one like that again. But that wasn't really camping though. If we had a camper we could have found a Walmart parking lot at least. I think we would have gotten some grief if we tried to set up a tent in a parking lot.



I don't really like trip planning but I won't go if I don't have a place to stay. Especially with kids!

[loulou57]

Yes......a few years back hubby and I were sitting watching the telly on a wed night and said we need a trip. No more said. Thursday night we said lets go on a holiday, but where, Europe or Canada. Friday morning before 8 we were on the road. We had no idea where and for how long. We just went to the end of the road and said right or left. We stopped when we chose. We never looked at the bank account, a map, or a calender we did what we felt like in the moment. Well, 2 weeks turned to 3 then 4,5 and 6 weeks. We went all the way to Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, taking the long no planned route!

If you can do it, go for it. We have learned in the past few years that life can throw a curve that will never straighten out. We are quite a few years from retirement but if we can do it again next week we will.......enjoy life!

[rkortes]

We usually have a general idea and direction but are ready to deviate at the drop of a hat to experience a new and fun adventure!:)

[dadmomh]

Not us. I'm one of those who needs the security of a plan. DH used to be one to take the little blue lines on the map, but think he realizes the stress for me, so my job is to plan, make reservations, budget and make sure we haven't forgotten the wine. Wish I could be more spontaneous, but don't see that happening.

[rfryer]

In my view, the only way to travel. No schedules, no reservations, no pressure. A very long time ago I planned a trip north and wound up in Iowa. I still can’t remember how or why I did that, but it was a fun trip anyway. I love to plan a trip and do it thoroughly, but once done it seems to satisfy my compulsion to plan and I can then travel as I like. Which means I just wander wherever at whim.

If security or predictability is important to you it’s probably not your cup of tea. But if you are flexible and enjoy the freedom and can deal with issues as they come up, such as where am I going to camp tonight, it’s far more fun than a structured trip with schedules and reservations and every move planned out.

[Dog_Folks]

One of the best summer trips we did was not planned. When at one campground, we asked campers there for their recommendations of another campground that was "nice."

We spent the whole summer moving every week or two, going from campground to campground that other campers recommended.

Every one of them was outstanding!

[francheska]

A few years ago we were on our way to Florida from the west coast with no reservations or time table.
Just stopping in to see friends along the way. Well 2days before Labor day weekend we are just a short
distance from Yellowstone. DW says lets see if they have any vacancies. We showed up and stayed for
a few days, had a great time. Then we detoured from friends place to see Cody WY, this was a great start
to a 3 month adventure.