So Jeff and I are starting to get excited. We have never been camping together as a family, and now we have decided to hit the road together for 2.5 months in a small confined place. Have I mentioned that we are a loud family?
Some of our friends and family are excited for us and others think we are crazy. And quite frankly, we vacillate between being ecstatic and being terrified. Yet neither Jeff or I have ever suggested throwing in the towel. And after 12 years of marriage, we agree that we have a lot of love, a spirit of adventure, and a whole lot of crazy that has helped us through other transitions and will help us through this one.
So Jeff and I know that we have the following things to plan out and do in the next 8 weeks:
Sell many belongings and pack up the rest and put into storage.
Secure an RV or a 5th wheel. We are looking at either borrowing, renting, or buying something used. We are going to an RV show next weekend here in Phoenix to gather some information and figure out our best option. If you know the owner of an RV dealership that wants some free advertising or if you have an extra RV you need out of your driveway due to that pesky Homeowner’s Association, let me know. 
Map out a general route. I would love to travel indefinitely, but Rebecca starts high school in the fall and is passionate (adamant) about being back for school at the beginning of August.
Determine the future of my career. Do I take a leave of absence for the summer or do I retire after 17 years? The economy has made us a little hesitant to make a firm decision. If I retire, then we need to secure private health insurance.
We asked the kids want they wanted to see and do. Within 10 minutes of our discussion, they were busy watching Youtube videos of all the waterparks, roller coasters, and baseball parks throughout the country. I completely lost control of the planning session. No shocker there.
The kids only added 3 sticky notes for “must stops” to our big map:
Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Texas
Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio
Statue of Liberty and Yankees Stadium in New York
At least we know the kids have their priorities straight. And if we run out of money on the road, at least we have some cute kids to hitch hike and our families to crash with.
Have you ever traveled with your kids for a lengthy trip? Have you ever traveled by RV? I would love to hear any tips you have for us.
Blessings sweet friends – Jenny
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Comments
Ashley Marie
Now that I am a little older and more mature, I’d love to take another cross country road trip. I am slightly jealous!
I went an RV trip with my grandparents and their 3 dogs one summer where we started in California went up to Washington over to Minnesota and then came back through the next row of states. My biggest suggestion would be to have meals that are during traveling hours already prepared. It is hard to make sandwiches, soup, mac n cheese, while driving down the road. Quite often my grandma would either heat up leftovers or premake a chicken or tuna salad for sandwiches or premake deli sandwiches. it really helped with cutting down on the road culinary disasters and saved money too.
I hope you and the rest of the Meyerson’s have a absolutely fantastic trip!
Jenny
What a fantastic gift your grandparents gave you. And thank you for the meal suggestions – it makes perfect sense. And with our family of 6 and trying to lose weight, I’m wanting to avoid the fast food element at all costs. I’m really getting excited. -J
Marna
I would recommend renting an RV for a weekend campout before you go on the long trip. You will learn how to set up, tear down, what to bring and not to bring, etc. This will be a great time to take notes about who will do what at each stop. Camping in an RV is fun, but as we found out, it can be challenging and frustrating while you are learning the ropes. Oh, and you need to watch the movie RV starring Robin Williams before you go. Hilarious!
Jenny
Great idea Marna! Jeff actually woke me up to see the comments and said, we need to do that this month! We saw the movie RV a couple of years ago, but I think it’s time to watch it again and fully appreciate the task/adventure we are taking on. -J
Janet White
We’re in the process of selling our motorhome and downsizing to a truck camper. But we’ve had all sorts of rigs over the years – what really matters is getting out there.
I agree, rent one first, learn. But also know there are TONS of folks willing to help if you run into trouble (LOVE that about RVers).
And – check out the Lundy’s – they’re fulltimers with kids. I love reading their adventures: http://www.lundy5.com/
Jenny
Thanks Janet. That’s what I told Jeff is that I am just ready to get out there and go. And I have heard wonderful tales of the RV community really helping each other out. And thank you for the link to the Lundy’s. I look forward to checking out their website. I know I have so much to learn. -Jenny
Ginger
Jenny,
There’s a blog I follow;http://www.4littlemenandgirlytwins.com/ Check them out. They are on the road with their family of 8 right now and did the same thing last year. Email her…her name is Brittany…I’m sure she’d love to share some tips with you
Jenny
Thanks Ginger. Good thing to know that a family of 8 is out there on the road. That’s so encouraging. And I look forward to following along on their journey. Thank you- Jenny
Ros McPartlin
Hi again from New Jersey.
I was glad to read the bit that mentions you have never questioned your decision.
We moved here from the UK 4 1/2 years ago. Our families amd friends were shocked amd worried. There were suggestions of us keeping our recently renovated home and renting it out so if we didn’t like it we could come back. No, we said. We are going and don’t want a get out of jail card. Whatever happens we will work it out.
So we sold lots of stuff, packed up and moved 2 teenagers and a dachshund. Best decision ever! And what made it work is we are a family that is a strong, full of love and very independent.
This chapter of your family album will be amazing.
Jenny
Thank you Ros. This is exactly what I needed to read. Jeff and I know this is what our family needs as much as wants. We need the time together, the adventure, and the willingness to let the other stuff go. It’s going to be a wild summer where I know we will learn so much. -J
Megan
high five for Cedar Point! You can’t miss that one!
Jenny
We watched all the youtube videos of the roller coasters and I found myself amazed at the rides. They are insane! I think we will definitely stop there on our way to NYC.
Jessica B
I have never been the to water park in Texas, but I have been to Cedar Point several times and to NYC. Both are awesome trips and well worth it. If you are going to be in NYC though you have to do all the tourist things like go to the top of the Empire State Building. So much to do in NYC it is one of my favorite places to visit.
Jenny
My goal from the onset has been to stay in NYC for 7-10 days. There is just so much I want to see and do – from the touristy sites to some sites I have seen from different blogs over the years. So looking forward to this adventure. -J
Peg
Jenny,
RV parks can start to get pretty pricy so I don’t know if you’ve started to look at state park campgrounds. Many have very nice facilities and are much cheaper but you’ll want reservations for some in CO. If you are planning to come through here and if you want to reach out to me, I’ll be glad to give you some suggestions around the Front Range of CO. My parents used to RV so I know quite a bit about the options and process. Sounds fun…and brave….and yeah, a little crazy but the best kind of crazy.
Jenny
Thanks Peg. We are just at the beginning so we haven’t looked at RV parks or state parks yet. We have been scouring the internet the past couple of days so we are just trying to let it all start to soak in. But as our plans start to fall in place over the next couple of weeks, I’ll let you know.
And we are indeed crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.-J
Peg
Jenny, also wanted to suggest you start to consider how to take your Project Life along with you. You’ll soon find that space is going to be at a premium but this period seems to me to be the perfect candidate for that project. Maybe start to look around for a compact container and start to think about how you might be able to minimize your supplies while keeping it interesting for yourself. Maybe it’s a chance to try the digi stuff if that holds any appeal (you definitely seem to like the tactile experience though so maybe not).
Jenny
I’ll continue my PL, but I plan on keeping it as simple as possible. As you said, one small container that will hold page protectors and some journaling cards will probably be all that I have room for.
I’m seriously looking at a digital version for 2013 though. I don’t want to have 3-4 albums for each year on my bookshelves.
Laura
We just got back from our family adventure. Last year we rented our house out, put our belongings into storage and hit the road. We had been living in Texas and our whole family is in Canada so our first stop was there. When we left our son was 2 1/2. We spent May to September living with our parents (in 3 locations) the longest we stayed in one place was 3 weeks. It was amazing to reconnect with family and have our son spent some serious quality time with his Grandparents.
In September we left for Europe. We spent 2 months in Paris and then traveled for another two months. We rented apartments so we could make dinners and have a base (IMO really important when you have a toddler). It was an amazing trip…once in a lifetime. We are glad we did it but also really glad to be home and settled again.
Jenny
Laura – That sounds like something right out of a story book. That’s amazing. I so wish I would have been able to travel when the kids were little, but unfortunately that was the timing of when I was sick.
What a gift for your entire family. Nothing beats time spent together. And the drool started with you mentioning Paris. I really want to go live there for a year – perhaps that is still in the future.
I’m sure it does feel good to be settled though as well. I’m sure as time gets closer, I will email you with my list of questions. Thanks so much Laura!-J
Julie
I wish I had some advise or knowledge about what you are about to do. But I don’t – I’m just totally cheering you on and praying for you bc you are giving your kids so a stinkin FANTASTIC experience!!!!
Julie
Julie
Oh wait….. I thought of something…..
The National parks have a fun ‘passport’ book, when you go to a NP you get a stamp – just like a real passport. I think the kids would like that!
http://www.eparks.com/store/product/22515/*Passport®-To-Your-National-Parks*/
I LOVE mine!
Julie
Jenny
I will definitely be ordering those passport books. I don’t know who will be more excited – me or the kids!
Lisa Muniz
I think I mentioned before that Tony and I took the 4 kids and a cousin on a 3 week National Parks tour in our motor home. It was an amazing experience. We got the passport book, and the kids loved stamping their book at each National Park. (side note, my daughter just got home from her senior trip in DC and told me she should have brought the passport as a few of the places they went were National Parks, sweet thought!). Some advice, plan for WAY more fuel than you may think, at least a dollar a mile. Also, think about alternating between a couple of nights of “dry camping” (cheaper)with at least one night of full hook ups. My kids loved almost all the full hook up RV parks we stayed in. They have pools, internet, laundry rooms, and showers you can stand fully upright in! It helped me to feel more human and relaxed to be able to take a long shower! We signed up for AAA, RV plus, and they gave us books of all the campgrounds and RV parks in each region. It was so helpful as we were playing it by ear, not wanting to feel rushed to get to a certain place each day. When we felt sure we knew where we wanted to stop each day I would look up a place and call about availability. We never went a night without a good, safe place to stay. These books were invaluable. Email me anytime if you have more questions!
Jenny
Thank you Lisa. I am certain I will call you with all sorts of questions. I will definitely look into making sure we have AAA and RV plus. Looking forward to going to the RV show next week and securing our transportation/home for the summer. We are hoping to borrow if possible. Thanks again, Lisa. We are really getting excited.-J
Karen
How much fun are you all going to have. I spent the weekend “walking” Boston. The freedom trail and all the sights. What a beautiful and historical city. by the way, did I mention I walked it? 11 miles each day. What a blast. My wish for you all is to have a complete blast and know that home is where you are all together.
Jenny
Boston sounds absolutely lovely. I’ve always wanted to visit, particularly in the fall with the change of colors. Don’t know if we will make it there this trip, but there is always next summer.
Kristin
so happy for you and your family! Do you have a Costco membership? Their gas prices are always low, plus you could pick up fresh fruit, nuts and other healthy munchies. I would love to take an RV trip with family – on my list! You might consider making photocopies of all important docs (driver’s licenses, Rx, insurance, etc.) and giving one copy to another family member, plus one for you to take. Think about things to do on rainy days, maybe get iTunes gift cards if you’ll have a laptop, to download movies vs taking them with, since you’ll have limited space. Does an RV have a safe, for laptops and such, when you are out and about? If you have both a point and shoot and DSLR cameras, just bring the point n shoot, cheaper to replace if something happens. A deck of playing cards is also good for rainy days if you know a few family card games. If your kids are interested, you could document the trip with postcards that everyone writes on, mailed back to a family member for you to then put into PL or a trip album. Less bulky than traditional souvenirs taking up space in the RV. Good luck!
Jenny
Kristin – Thanks for all the terrific ideas! A postcard minibook sounds wonderful.
We are members at Costco and the idea for a safe has been added to our master list as well as ideas for entertainment with the cards and itune gift cards. Thanks so much – we are getting really excited.-J
Amy
Your family will love Schitterbahn and New Braunfels. We live a short drive away and visit it every summer. Our kids never tire of Schlitterbahn and there are activities for kids of all ages and fear levels. I hope you all have a wonderful time and I look forward to hearing about your travels!
Jenny
Thanks Amy. The kids watch Youtube videos of all the water parks and roller coasters everyday when they get home from school. It’s been really fun to watch them get excited and then tell us where we HAVE to go. I must admit, they get the water park excitement from me.
Looking forward to blogging from the road.-J
amy
Jenny,
I live in Saugerties, NY which is 100 miles north of NYC and 45 minutes south of Albany, the capital of NY. You are always welcome to park and bbq at our home if you runout of food! LOL! Good for you planning this trip…the kids will remember it forever!
Jenny
Oh thank you Amy. You had me at BBQ and NY! Excited for our summer adventure. Lots of stuff to do in the next 2 months. Thanks for stopping by and the hospitable offer. – Jenny
Rebecca
You are welcome here – always!!! If you do plan on heading to the great white north (which is almost 30 degrees here today….celsius – for the beginning of spring that is unheard of) anyways….let me know as your plans take shape. I would love to get the entire family together to see you!