Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Trip Planning And Another Question

Kansas City is experiencing record snowfall right now, which is no surprise to us because we bring the crazy with us when we move. (See Christmas Blizzard of 2006 in Denver for proof).

So, all of this cold weather has me thinking about summer vacation. I know. It doesn't have to make sense to you. It does in my head.

Blake and I are starting to brainstorm routes cross country again since last year's trip went so well. We learned flying is cheaper with our first adventure, however, you miss the sites en route. The Grand Canyon, Four Corners, and Telluride were favorites in 2009.

We'll likely drive overnight on the way to La Jolla (our main destination), as we did last time and then take a few days to drive back. We took 19 days on our previous trip and it seemed just long enough....but that included a stop in Texas, which we won't make this time.

So, we're thinking straight from KC to the coast......

And then, after La Jolla, we'll drive north to Half Moon Bay and stand on the same beach we did 10 years before to make our vows to God in holy matrimony.

Blake suggested this, actually. Show the kids where we got married, see San Francisco and then keep moving north and then east.....

(Look at us. We were babies!)

To Yellowstone National Park. (Wyoming)

To see this....

And, this....

And, this......


What do you think?

Well, wait. I know you think we're crazy. Driving 3 kids cross country doesn't rank at the top of everyone's vacation list, but we enjoyed it. And, I love thinking about our kids one day going off to college and thinking back to how much they saw in their childhoods.

On vacation with their dorky family.

Like the Griswolds. And, you all know we strive hard to be like this bunch:


So, my question is.......what other destinations should we consider? On this route or another? We drove nearly 5,000 miles last year, so don't think we won't veer off the beaten path.

Suggest away, please!

25 comments:

Shannon said...

Yes! Love this topic. You know I don't think you're crazy for thinking about travel right now. I am too. :)

Ok, this is not on your way but I'm trying to figure out a way to get here.

White Sands National Monument

Sledding on white sand? How fun would that be?

Ok, if you don't end up going that way, what about stopping in Las Vegas on the way? I know it's not typically a kid place but the M&M Store, the awesome magic shows, the indoor amusement park. I think it's worth considering anyway.

I love that you'd go back to where you got married but you've gone to California so many times. What about driving east?

Kristen said...

I don't think you're crazy at all!! Some of my best memories from my childhood involved our station wagon and our scenic road trip family vacations. We played "games" on the road (my dad would buy us each a new Lisa Frank notebook, do you remember those?... and then we'd write down the 50 states (geography lesson) and mark them off when we saw a license plate from there... and we did Mad Libs, and the Alphabet signs game, and other silly games, so fun!!) Is South Dakota too far of a veer off the road?? If not, Mount Rushmore and the Badlands are amazing. Ooooh... and the Mitchell Corn Palace is in SD too. So cool!!

starnes family said...

Shannon - the condo in La Jolla is too fabulous to go east quite yet. Plus, we get to see our family out there. And, Mickey Mouse. And, the beach.

KS - we've done a trip to South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, etc. Awesome. Definitely something everyone should see!

starnes family said...

Oh, and White Sands looks AWESOME. However, we should have done it last year......coming from Dallas and going west in the southern United States. This year, we'll be going from KC directly.

It's on my list, though!

The Jones Family said...

No stop in Texas; blah!

Ok, when are we leaving. Didn't I tell you we were following you to Cali this year? Duh... hello! :)

Rebekah Williams said...

I my sweet word.
I can't imagine traveling like that with my 2.
But the Griswold photo made me laugh out loud. HARD. I wasn't expecting it!

So glad I found your blog!

Momma to the A's said...

What about a stop to see the HUGE Redwood Trees or Lake Tahoe? We will be in Lake Tahoe in late July. It is beautiful in July and it is fun to ride up the mountain and swim in the crystal clear lake.

OR you could drive north a few hundred miles to Calgary :)!!! Just say'n ...

I think you are brave to do all that driving with kiddos, but on the other hand what a neat experience for the kids to visit all those places! Many people live their whole lives and don't see half of those places!

Momma to the A's said...

I meant Lake Tahoe is beautiful in the summer. I think most people think of it as a winter getaway.

Cate O'Malley said...

I love a good road trip and trying to be more adventurous to take them with the kids. So far we've survived 3 hours ... now to add to it. :) And planning summer fun is the only way to get through this terribly cold and windy winter - I totally am there with you.

Jodee said...

Are you NUTS?! I would need therapy after a 19 day roadtrip with my kids! They can barely make it three hours in a car!

I can't wait to see what route you take! You will get to see so many things along the way!

Allyson and Dave said...

I have always wanted to see Yellowstone. But we are way to far to drive out there. I know nothing about that part of the country. I can't wait to see where all you go.

Anonymous said...

5000 miles?! holy crap! i cannot even fathom that. i hear the drive cross country is beautiful though. my drove from MD to CA once and loved it. Wish I had suggestions but i'm totally ignorant to things not East Coast. It's horrible, I know.

donatelli98 said...

Can I have some of the meds you and Blake take before these trips? I need it for everyday - JK! I envy your passion for this ... I would suggest going to Lake Tahoe since you will be so close (b/c it is so beautiful)when you are in Half Moon Bay/San Fran. SF will be an eye opener for your kids (especially Carter!). Love the city!

The Soladay Family said...

Have you checked out Painted Desert National Park or Petrified Forest? AMAZING.

By the way, has anyone ever pointed out the birds in that wedding pic of you and Blake? Three birds are together...you, Blake and Carter (since he was technically there) and the 2 off to the side, Jack and Lainey, who would be your future babies. I notice things like that because I'm weird like that. =)

Tammy said...

You are very brave traveling like that with kids. We took a 6 hour trip over the Christmas holiday and seriously it seemed like we were in the car for days together! I love your trip idea. Sounds like a great plan.

Sara said...

Road trips.....so fun! And you're so right, your kiddos will remember these trips forever and all of the great memories (good and bad)!
Y'all should definitely do Lake Tahoe if you can. I've heard it's gorgeous in the summertime!
Good luck with the planning. Can't wait to hear what y'all decide.

If the shoe FITZ said...

I was going to say head East too! But I know you're fans of the West Coast. I love Tahoe, you can go to the Donner Pass..look it up! ;)

Sacramento is nice...you can go to the capital there?

Vegas could be fun or Reno??

We might be in Tahoe in May

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

With the weather here being so cold and snowy, I am thinking beach vacation in the tropics now. I can't wait until summer.

Good luck on planning the trip! I cannot imagine such a road trip with my four kids.

Coco said...

I think that sounds like a great journey. Of course this includes Marble Falls. Correct?

My family did the dorky vacations every year. Destination always Southfork Colorado. But we stopped somewhere different every year. And this was before dvd's in the car. My mom would always start off singing, "holiday roooaadddd..." it was funny until my teens and then it would just piss me off.

Is Santa Fe on y'alls route? One of my favorite spots ever. Love that city.

SASS said...

FUN! I have the BEST memories traveling with my family. We drove all over the flippin country. I have fond memories of looking out the window, listening to my walkman (ew I feel old) and rewinding my favorite Amy Grant songs. Good times.
Although, I have no suggestions. I'm just taking notes for future family trips!

merrilee said...

Yeah--I am selfishly happy because then I will get to see you again! Love that you do this....the kids will remember forever(and you and Blake will laugh at all the craziness). Yellowstone is so worth it. Glacier National Park in Montana is outstanding--I think it may actually be prettier than Hawaii. But it may be too far for this trip.

Julie {Angry Julie Monday} said...

You guys are crazy...Although we are thinking about doing some road trip this summer too.

Merry Mack said...

I love a good road trip too and I don't think it sounds crazy. We are also going to our honeymoon spot for our 10 year anniversary, but minus the kid. I don't have any suggestions because I have never been to that part of the world. Sounds fun!

Kim said...

I love it! If my job allowed that kind of time off we would do the same thing. We are considering Yellowstone this year too. We just bought a new vacation home aka a 5th wheel camper and can't wait to venture out!

My suggestion would be The Black Hills, SD on your way back from Yellowstone lots to see and do.

Lauri said...

Glacier is beautiful!! If you decide to go that far north, let me know. I can help you with Montana! :-)