Is it me or are'nt Road Trips fun?

[Leturno]

HI all,

So often I see posts lementing several hour drives to resorts or having to forgoe a normal flying itinerary to drive to a more local resort for budget reasons. I don't know if I am alone in this but I love road trips. I love the landscape rolling out in front of me. I like being able to pull over and take a look at things and the interesting places you find when you have to stop.

We travel with three small kids and flying is not only not very affordable but also difficult hauling all their stuff through airports. We flew to Florida in March and I really wish we had drove it. (Chicago to Orlando)

A couple years ago when I first purchased our Timeshares and first found tug this discussion board gave all kinds of great advise with traveling with kids. We put some of that to good use including books on tape. Our kids will beg us to put the book back on so they can continue their story each time we get into the car. We have gone through several of the Harry Potters books, the Mouse with the Motorcycle books and now my kids our devouring Lemony Snickets.
We have been offered to borrow portable TV/DVD players but we avoided them. We really enjoy watching our kids do creative play and read thier books. I am frustrated at times though when I see something fantastic and call out.. "Look over there" and five minutes later when we are well past the view I finally get their attention. But that is just kids.

I grew up going on two week summer camping/road trips with my family. This was my time with dad and I relished it. I often think it is sad that with airbags kids can't ride up front. I remember my chances to be navigator and read the maps for my father or mother as they drove. I remember driving across Montana at night and looking up at that big sky. I remember driving endlessly across Wyoming and marveling at the fantastic wide open spaces.

I still remember fondly when our car was overheating in rural Montana and my father pulled over in the town of Condon, Montana. Condon had a population of 6 and this included two huge dogs, and you had to count them becaue they were bigger then most of the people. The town was actually a country place with a few cabins for tourists and a post office. I think it was given a towns name because it was the regions post office. The owner was also the post master. He was a handy guys and flushed out my father's cars cooling system fixing a vaporlock and getting us back on the road.

In summary, there must be others out there that really like road trips. Aren't there?

Scott

[Steve]

Hi Scott,

I'm with you...I love a good road trip. My parents took my sister and me on road trips all over the country when we were growing up. We lived in Virginia and we would drive to Florida or out west in the summers. One year, when I was 11, we drove all the way from Virginia to Southern California to Victoria, BC (with the help of the ferry) and back. 10,000 miles on one trip! I got to help plan where we would stop for the night and my dad let me make a lot of the hotel reservations on the toll free numbers. It was fun and exciting...and helped instill in me my love of travel and love of hotels...which lead to my current love of timeshares.

Ah, as you said so well, the landscape rolling out in front of me. The changes in terrain and climate and culture as you go from one state or region to the next. It's fun, it's real, it's America. I love it. And I still go on road trips. Just last month I drove from Utah to Hilton Head Island to Branson and back.

Happy Travels!

Steve

[JoAnn]

Road trips were the only way we could afford to travel when our kids were younger and we had great trips. We usually had a 'sedan' with 3 kids, so things were cramped. Our longest trip was from Brown Deer/Milwaukee to Tampa to visit DH aunt & uncle for 10 days. We also drove almost every summer from, either the Milwaukee area, or the Chicago 'burbs, to northern WI or MN to housekeeping cottages for a week with the kids. No TV, just Mom, Dad & the 3 young'ns. We still talk about those vacations. Later on DH & I would drive to Las Vegas, using different Interstates to see the countryside.

Four years ago, right after we moved to FL, DH & I took off for the Northwest. We had 3 t/s exchanges in OR & WA, with a trip to Whistler. We drove I-75 to I-10, to I-5 (and some off interstate roads) up to Klamath Falls, from there to Leavenworth WA, on up to Mt. Vernon WA for a 3 day stop visit a cousin, then to Whistler for a couple of days, then to down to Blaine WA . From there we headed across WA to Yellowstone, on to SD to visit friends where Gerry pheasant hunts every October, then down to Illinois to visit all our relatives. Then back home to FL. We did 10,000 miles in 6 or 7 weeks, stopping along the way to just look out over our country and see some of the things we had only read about.

We learned, in planning our road trips, to not plan everything so tight. On our trip to the NW, we stayed too long in some places and not long enough in others.

[Timeshare Von]

I have to echo what JoAnn and Steve have said!! I think it is all a matter of how you grew up and how your family vacationed. We were like the Griswalds (well sorta!), driving in the family station wagon everywhere on vacation. Even weekend trips from NoVA to campgrounds up and down the east coast were regular family events. With three kids, my folks couldn't afford airline tickets for a family of five.

One of my most memorable road trip vacations was as a six or seven year old driving across country to Denver for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and family reunion. Going across the midwest, there was a tornado way off in the distance. I remember being frightened, but my dad reassured me that it was very far away and that we were safe.

Today, I simply love a road trip. I've gone places and driven 200 or 300 miles in a day just "sightseeing." Being in Albuqueque for a bowling tournament, I thought it would be fun to drive over to Arizona to see the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. I think that was close to 400 miles roundtrip!!

Some people just aren't cut out for it. Those with adult ADD (my husband) really bore of it quickly. While in Vegas early one fall, I thought it would be a great trip to go to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Well, about six hours later he was barking "When in the hell are we going to be there." Needless to say, once we arrived, it was in awe of the view. He had never been before and did say it was worth the trip.

Sometimes the adventurousness in me gets the better of me though. Once while staying in Lake Tahoe, I thought it would be cool to drive "over" to Yosemite for a day trip. On the map it "just" looked like a couple of inches and according to the scale, that would equal out to around 120 miles. Piece of cake for a day trip! WELL . . . what the map couldn't indicate was the bending and curving of the roads through the mountains. That was one long-A$$ trip! Cap it off with a heavy nightfall snow coming home (this was mid May!) . . . needless to say, we didn't make it back to our timeshare in Incline Village. It was worth the trip though. I still have photos of "driving through" the redwoods, literally.

There are some places, however, I may never drive to tour. Cancun comes to mind. When we were there a couple of years ago, we chose to not rent a car (probably a first for us on vacation). We were happy to take the tours and not put ourselves in a position to be a victim of crimes against tourists, which is very high in Mexico, especially once you get out of the heavily traveled tourist areas.

I agree that it was from those early days vacationing my parents that I too developed a love for travel and seeing the world around me! I have said more than once, the only reason I work for a living and drive myself so hard is so that I can afford to vacation the way I want to and go to the places I've only dreamed of.

Great topic . . . as you can see, I could write about road trips forever!

Yvonne

[JEFF H]

Originally Posted by Timeshare Von

There are some places, however, I may never drive to tour. Cancun comes to mind. When we were there a couple of years ago, we chose to not rent a car (probably a first for us on vacation). We were happy to take the tours and not put ourselves in a position to be a victim of crimes against tourists, which is very high in Mexico, especially once you get out of the heavily traveled tourist areas.
Yvonne

Interesting as I have not heard of any Crimes against Tourists in the areas around Cancun.
My impression has always been its much safer than travel in the USA.
Do you have links to some specific cases?
Please Post then as I and Im sure others would like to read them.

[Timeshare Von]

Originally Posted by JEFF H

Interesting as I have not heard of any Crimes against Tourists in the areas around Cancun.
My impression has always been its much safer than travel in the USA.
Do you have links to some specific cases?
Please Post then as I and Im sure others would like to read them.

I'd have to do some research, as we went to Cancun in May 2004. Everything we were reading before that trip said not to drive outside of the Cancun area. Like if you want to go to Chizen Itza, there are some rather remote areas where tourists are at risk for robbery and even car jacking.

Yvonne

[Timeshare Von]

Originally Posted by Timeshare Von

I'd have to do some research, as we went to Cancun in May 2004. Everything we were reading before that trip said not to drive outside of the Cancun area. Like if you want to go to Chizen Itza, there are some rather remote areas where tourists are at risk for robbery and even car jacking.

Yvonne

"Criminal assaults occur on highways throughout Mexico; travelers should exercise extreme caution at all times, avoid traveling at night, and may wish to use toll ("cuota") roads rather than the less secure "free" ("libre") roads whenever possible." from the Mexican Consular.


Just a few links . . .


http://www.mexidata.info/id779.html

http://www.cancun.bz/crime.htm

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...s/cis_970.html

[IreneLF]

I love them too. Always something new and different to see.
I grew up in NYC (Manhattan) and my family never had a car. It wasn't until I met my husband that I began to travel. I was still in college, he was a teacher, and with those free summers we took 3 cross country/cross Canada one month trips and saw so many natural wonders, cities and towns in both countries. I'm so glad I kept a journal of where we stopped to eat, sleep and the costs, in addition to what we saw, it's fun to look back.
I just love to travel, and spent a decade or so making up for lost time.
Now we have the (teenage) kids and have done a few NJ-Orlando, NJ-HHI, NJ-Gatlinburg long drives on recent vacations. Everyone seems to handle the trips well. Maybe it's because we took them from NJ-Smugglers each summer (450 miles, 7+ hours) starting when they were 3+5, so they've adapted to long drives. They think anything under 10 hours is short LOL.

[LynnW]

We also love road trips. Have driven from Calgary to Panama City FL and then on to Orlando and West Palm Beach and also to Palm Coast FL and up the east coast to Hilton Head Williamsburg and Washingon DC and then home. We have also driven to Nova Scotia on to Cape Cod Pennsylvania and New York City. We drove to New Orleans for the Tug cruise and from there to Arizona for a couple of weeks. We drive to California or Arizona once or twice a year as well and of course to our home resort in Montana which is much closer. Probably won't do the Florida trip again by car when we go in Nov 2007 as we wouldn't want to drive back that time of year. I think it's in my blood at least on my mothers side of the family! Everyone liked to drive.

Lynn

[TerriJ]

I think I need to make my fall trip a road trip. What a great idea!

[chicklet]

We love road trips too!! Four adults always go away to Florida in April and this year we were thinking of flying. We looked into everything but in the end we drove. What a great way to get to see things and we talk and joke the whole way. Our children have always gone on road trips and are used to travelling - 12 hours seems like such a short trip. At Christmas all our children come to Florida (23,21 & 17) and know I75 well. They learned how to travel before we bought the "toys"....we felt that bad behaviour on a road trip would not warrant a tv just to shut them up. They talked to each other and looked at the points of interest. I find it a great time to talke to whoever is sitting in the passenger seat at the time (i've had the greatest talks with my daughter that way and I remember talking to my sons about the future education decisions (all on our 24 hr. drive to Florida) Now those are memories!! I remember my daughter telling a friend (she was 17 at the time) that she would take her kids on trips since we had always taken them....to which her girlfriend replied that she would be leaving her kids at home!!!! Too funny!!

[roadtriper]

I love a good Roadtrip! Parents with kids need to see more of the USA from Ground Level. yeah the Grand Canyon looks neat from the air... but hanging over the railing is something you remember forever! even on business trips my Associates and I will take every opportinty to jump in the rental car and go "On Tour" so... wax up the Station Wagon, Pack a Picnic Lunch and go find a nice stretch of 2 Lane Roadtriper

[AwayWeGo]

...but The Chief Of Staff doesn't care for'm all that much.

But she also doesn't like having to spring for airline tickets, then spring for airport parking, then spring for rental cars after we get where we're going.

So between here & our Florida vacation spots (Orlando, Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland, Mulberry, Pasco County) we usually drive, all in 1 pull -- exiting the Interstate only for gas, fast food, & comfort stops.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

[michaelsmalley]

Who in thei right mind would want to take a road trip where you can travel in comfort, stop when you please, see things close up that othes will never enjoy and be able to actually communicate with your family.

Who in their right mind wouldn't want to go to an airport 2 hours early, stand in line like a herd of cattle. get strip searched before you get on the plane so you can have the luxury of being squeezed into a seat 18" wide that is right next to a guy that hasn't bought a bar of soap in 2 years. You also get the fansastic scenery from 10,000 feet with a beautiful view of some clouds as you wiz by at 500 miles an hour.

In the past we have flown to many places but no more. We have been to Europe, South America, the Carribean, and Hawaii. They were fine but now we drive, or don't go. We are a couple of simple old semi-retired Kansas cattle raisers and love road trips. More people need to slow down and enjoy life. We totally enjoy seeing a windmill against the skyline, a road winding through the mountains with a stream alongside, and a thousand other 'little' things we have seen on our road trips.

We love our TS trips, ALMOST as much as we enjoy getting to them and coming home. If you have a family, take a road trip. You will be building memories your kids will never forget.

Mike S.

[michaelsmalley]

Who in thei right mind would want to take a road trip where you can travel in comfort, stop when you please, see things close up that othes will never enjoy and be able to actually communicate with your family.

Who in their right mind wouldn't want to go to an airport 2 hours early, stand in line like a herd of cattle. get strip searched before you get on the plane so you can have the luxury of being squeezed into a seat 18" wide that is right next to a guy that hasn't bought a bar of soap in 2 years. You also get the fansastic scenery from 10,000 feet with a beautiful view of some clouds as you wiz by at 500 miles an hour.

In the past we have flown to many places but no more. We have been to Europe, South America, the Carribean, and Hawaii. They were fine but now we drive, or don't go. We are a couple of simple old semi-retired Kansas cattle raisers and love road trips. More people need to slow down and enjoy life. We totally enjoy seeing a windmill against the skyline, a road winding through the mountains with a stream alongside, and a thousand other 'little' things we have seen on our road trips.

We love our TS trips, ALMOST as much as we enjoy getting to them and coming home. If you have a family, take a road trip. You will be building memories your kids will never forget.

Mike S.

[shagnut]

I used to love road trips. I can remember as a little girl driving with Mom to Lake Placid NY. I remember going thru the tunnells and the bridges. My job was to keep mom from getting lost ( that job has been passed down to Kelli) . I read all the billboards for her. Once we got lost in the adirondack mtns and mom was so upset with me because I kept saying, but Mom it's so pretty!! I'm glad we got lost.

With my bum leg and bad back I unfortunatly can't take long road trips anymore. I need to find a man who loves to drive and travel and can put up with me!! Sounds like an impossible task. shaggy

[susieq]

Really do love road trips ...... and DH & I will take one every chance we get. Even TS vacations that we have flown to, we'll rent a car, and probably spend 3-4 days taking trips 4-6 hours or more. I love the unexpected stops, the things you'll see & learn are priceless, (do I hear a commercial coming on? ) Even around home, sometimes we'll get restless and on a Sat. or Sun. just drive. Whenever we exchange to somewhere we can drive to, we love to just take our time and explore. We both hate to be on a "timed schedule". Anyhow, just wanted to add my two cents. Great subject, by the way!
Sue

[pcgirl54]

Grew up taking road trips with my parents and aunts,many fond memories. My cousin used to get car sick every trip and we had to stop the cars.

Took my own family on many road trip and mystery rides and thought nothing of driving 14 hours or more with three boys 2 years apart. Packed up the station wagon or mini van and pop up camper and off we went on many adventures.

Nowadays ,I prefer to fly rather than drive because I do not want to lose 2 vacation days. We do take daytrips of 200-400 miles.

We are headed on the road this coming Friday just DH and me. Overnight stop in Ocean City MD then we are off to OBX for the first time.It's been a long time since we did a marathon roadtrip this but it is less expensive than flying even with today's gas prices. I really get bored going thorough CT and NJ though.

This fall it's back to Hilton Head and we will fly.

[carpediem]

I've been on quite a few road trips as a child and even more now as a parent. My children are great travelers as a result and can stay quite entertained even for our 15 hour long hauls.

But I have to say, I love to take a plane ride to Cancun, England or anywhere and explore those places as well. My favorite "road trip" so far was going around England in a Land Rover navigating round-abouts on the "wrong" side of the road.

Happy Trails!

[BevL]

I'm like pcgirl - I don't like using vacation days to get to where I'm going. I'm self employed so every day I'm not at work is a day I don't get paid for, so I make the most of what I have.

But I have very fond memories of our road/camping trips when our kids were younger and when I was a kid myself.

Bev

[Leturno]

Thank goodness I am not alone. I can cancel that Psych appointment and plan another road trip! :-)

BTW: The DW reports that the kids said another trip to Branson (9hrs by car/minivan) is ok with them so we are raising them right!

See you all on the road, look for us. White Dodge Caravan and Sears cargo carrier up top. Cya

Scott