It’s Spring Break – which has been in my countdown as a big chunk of time to get some essentials done for the trip! We’ve taken “un-necessaries” out of the trailer (sadly, the dog’s stuff), and started packing up supplies we think we’ll need (that’s a beast of a packing list!). Even the kids have participated by making some really cool souvenir boxes; they cut up all my travel brochures and pasted (modge-podge) them onto the box. This week I still hope to make any remaining activity reservations as well as make the kids some home-made travel activity books.
Since Greg’s prior log entry, we’ve lengthened our trip another ~5 days so we can stop in the Grand Tetons to hang out with my brothers!
We started planning this US road trip last June – a year in advance. First we estimated a route based on the cities we thought we’d like to visit. Then I researched campgrounds and cities to come up with a final itinerary. This was no easy task, and often I’d be so frustrated I’d have to take a break! I made quite a few of our campground reservations ~1 year out as most of them are state/county places, and if they’re anything like the ones in California, they book up completely within seconds of opening!
The only area of the country we are “missing” (in my opinion), and my biggest regret, is the Northeast coast – Boston and Quebec especially. They were initially in our penciled-in route, but got cut due to time-limitations.
After planning the route/itinerary, I started researching the cities for activities. I started with Washington, DC because I viewed it as the highest priority (particularly for advance reservations). It was – and has been – the hardest to plan! There is simply so much to see and do. I quickly learned that planning it involves a mix of serious preparation (no problem there!), last minute scheduling (really not good at that), and some flexibility (umm…maybe). As quickly as I was allowed – 6 months out – I contacted my Senator’s office for as many reservations as I could get. The most difficult tour to get, and the one that requires the most flexibility, is the White House, and at this point, is really the only hitch in my planning. (The same day that Greg said we could skip that tour, Kate’s buddy said that was his favorite part of his trip.)
Greg’s part of the planning process has been making a list of “toys” (as I refer to them) and changes ("mods") we want to make to the trailer for the trip. So far he has scrubbed the trailer of all of its defects (it was in the shop for warranty work for 2 months!), added bathroom hooks (we’re probably going to actually have to use the shower, and hang 5 towels to dry!), a MaxxAir vent cover (to allow for constant airflow to the trailer), upgraded the faucet (the original one was aesthetically quite nice but just not functional!), upgraded our mattress to memory foam, upgraded to two 6V batteries, upgraded the hitch (quite a bit) to a Pro-Pride 3P, and still is working to put in additional pantry shelves, and a cabinet under our bed.
That’s all for now … gotta get back to “business”!
Since Greg’s prior log entry, we’ve lengthened our trip another ~5 days so we can stop in the Grand Tetons to hang out with my brothers!
We started planning this US road trip last June – a year in advance. First we estimated a route based on the cities we thought we’d like to visit. Then I researched campgrounds and cities to come up with a final itinerary. This was no easy task, and often I’d be so frustrated I’d have to take a break! I made quite a few of our campground reservations ~1 year out as most of them are state/county places, and if they’re anything like the ones in California, they book up completely within seconds of opening!
The only area of the country we are “missing” (in my opinion), and my biggest regret, is the Northeast coast – Boston and Quebec especially. They were initially in our penciled-in route, but got cut due to time-limitations.
After planning the route/itinerary, I started researching the cities for activities. I started with Washington, DC because I viewed it as the highest priority (particularly for advance reservations). It was – and has been – the hardest to plan! There is simply so much to see and do. I quickly learned that planning it involves a mix of serious preparation (no problem there!), last minute scheduling (really not good at that), and some flexibility (umm…maybe). As quickly as I was allowed – 6 months out – I contacted my Senator’s office for as many reservations as I could get. The most difficult tour to get, and the one that requires the most flexibility, is the White House, and at this point, is really the only hitch in my planning. (The same day that Greg said we could skip that tour, Kate’s buddy said that was his favorite part of his trip.)
Greg’s part of the planning process has been making a list of “toys” (as I refer to them) and changes ("mods") we want to make to the trailer for the trip. So far he has scrubbed the trailer of all of its defects (it was in the shop for warranty work for 2 months!), added bathroom hooks (we’re probably going to actually have to use the shower, and hang 5 towels to dry!), a MaxxAir vent cover (to allow for constant airflow to the trailer), upgraded the faucet (the original one was aesthetically quite nice but just not functional!), upgraded our mattress to memory foam, upgraded to two 6V batteries, upgraded the hitch (quite a bit) to a Pro-Pride 3P, and still is working to put in additional pantry shelves, and a cabinet under our bed.
That’s all for now … gotta get back to “business”!
