Dancing around the world~One pole at a time~~~Return of the prodigal trip reporter...

[glennbo123]

Interesting "big trip" idea. I don't think you're crazy at all. Pretty dang ambitious though. My family did that, traveling in the other direction though, when I was 5. We hit Denver, the Grand Canyon, San Diego zoo, San Fran, Mt. Rushmore, and who knows what else, all by car and travel trailer. Now I marvel at my parents for daring to do that with a carload of kids.

I'd be interested to see how much time you're thinking of in these places. For Hershey, are you thinking of just Hershey or using it as a base to hit Gettysburg or Lancaster? Hershey has a nice amusement park, but when you've been to Disney you're liable to go through and just shake your head , saying "nice try, but you're no Disney". Years ago you could tour the actual chocolate factory, but now they have "Chocolate World" to see the process. I've never been through it, but I'm sure it's way more touristy than touring the factory. We just took a day-trip to Gettysburg a week or so ago and it was great. I hadn't been there since I was 12. Are any of your kids history buffs? I had arranged for a personal tour guide though, which I won in a United Way auction, but I would recommend getting some kind of guide or tour. They have a brand new tourist center which was really nice. Lancaster is nice, but I don't get it as a vacation destination...maybe because we lived there for a few years. But I don't get the fascination with seeing an Amish buggy tying up traffic.

 

[eliz991]

My parents did this when we were kids too - drove from Texas to Charlotte to Va. Beach to San Jose (via the Grand Canyon) to Mexico back to Dallas. In the summer. I think they were nuts! I was only 8 or 9 though, so it would have been better if we had been a wee bit older I think.

Sounds like a great list of places to stop and visit along the way, especially with family mixed in!

 

[winkers]

Wow that is an impressive list of places. We lived in South Carolina for a while but it was in Columbia. We only visited Charleston but I think you like like it and I'm sure CP can give you a list of things to see and do.

So next year are you going to hit the Deep South?

I spent a day in charleston several years ago and fell in love with it...I would love to do the deep wouth...does florida count?

Great idea!

thanks!

Interesting "big trip" idea. I don't think you're crazy at all. Pretty dang ambitious though. My family did that, traveling in the other direction though, when I was 5. We hit Denver, the Grand Canyon, San Diego zoo, San Fran, Mt. Rushmore, and who knows what else, all by car and travel trailer. Now I marvel at my parents for daring to do that with a carload of kids.

I'd be interested to see how much time you're thinking of in these places. For Hershey, are you thinking of just Hershey or using it as a base to hit Gettysburg or Lancaster? Hershey has a nice amusement park, but when you've been to Disney you're liable to go through and just shake your head , saying "nice try, but you're no Disney". Years ago you could tour the actual chocolate factory, but now they have "Chocolate World" to see the process. I've never been through it, but I'm sure it's way more touristy than touring the factory. We just took a day-trip to Gettysburg a week or so ago and it was great. I hadn't been there since I was 12. Are any of your kids history buffs? I had arranged for a personal tour guide though, which I won in a United Way auction, but I would recommend getting some kind of guide or tour. They have a brand new tourist center which was really nice. Lancaster is nice, but I don't get it as a vacation destination...maybe because we lived there for a few years. But I don't get the fascination with seeing an Amish buggy tying up traffic.

right now my plan is in the very early stages..I'm trying to gather ideas and research. We don't plan to stay very long in any one place. Usually 2 nights and a day.

Some of it could change because d.jay's brother may be moving west this summer and they're the only reason we'd go to NC, so if they aren't there we won't go south of virginia....unless I can convince d.jay to still go to charleston.

the main points in the plan are

Ohio, to see my sister
Washington D.C., which is what sparked the idea for the trip
virginia, to see my brother
Williamsburg
North Carolina...if d.jay's brother is still there

I just thought about doing the little tour in Hershey,and skip the amusement park there. I am interested in Busch gardens williamsburg, though.

My kids are all pretty into history...with me as their mom they didn't really have a choice in the matter. I would love to go to gettysburg what is there to do ?

I visited amish country in Ohio with my sister and while it was interesting to see the buggys, it isn't something I'd go out of my way to see.

 

[winkers]

My parents did this when we were kids too - drove from Texas to Charlotte to Va. Beach to San Jose (via the Grand Canyon) to Mexico back to Dallas. In the summer. I think they were nuts! I was only 8 or 9 though, so it would have been better if we had been a wee bit older I think.

Sounds like a great list of places to stop and visit along the way, especially with family mixed in!

wow, that's a lot of places in one trip!

the worst part of ours will be the boring 24 hour drive across montana and north dakota, to minneapolis.....there is nothing to see along the way.

 

[carissanboys]

I am extremely jealous!! I think we may have discussed this once a long time ago, but I have a dream to spend 6 - 8 weeks traveling around the U.S. by car with my family. I've considered doing it once Chuck retires from the navy, but we'll have to see.

You said hit the beach while in Richmond?? You'll be much closer when in Williamsburg.

 

[winkers]

I am extremely jealous!! I think we may have discussed this once a long time ago, but I have a dream to spend 6 - 8 weeks traveling around the U.S. by car with my family. I've considered doing it once Chuck retires from the navy, but we'll have to see.

You said hit the beach while in Richmond?? You'll be much closer when in Williamsburg.

I wish we could spend 6 to 8 weeks..that would be awesome.

What I meant was to go to the beach while we're in Virgina in general.do you have sugestions of where to go?

 

[carissanboys]

I wish we could spend 6 to 8 weeks..that would be awesome.

What I meant was to go to the beach while we're in Virgina in general.do you have sugestions of where to go?

Ahhhh. Gotcha. Virginia Beach, of course!

 

[Liz]

I am loving that you are going to Niagara Falls and Palmyra! I'll have to see where a certain elder is then! Have you thought about moving the trip up to July so you'd be there for pageant?

I think the whole trip sounds fabulous!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Cherie I may know something about Niagara Falls !!!

Let me know the amount of time etc and I will send you LOTS of travel stuff !!! Apart from the actual Falls which areo pn both sides( need a passport for Canada) !!There is Fort Niagara which has reeactments during the summer months about 10 mls away!!Their is a Casino which also has an awesome Buffet!! Some really good Italian restaurants and of course there is beef on weck , not to mention very good pizza and wings !! But I know you would enjoy the Outlet Mall here !!!!

 

[Poolrat]

I'd be interested to see how much time you're thinking of in these places. For Hershey, are you thinking of just Hershey or using it as a base to hit Gettysburg or Lancaster? Hershey has a nice amusement park, but when you've been to Disney you're liable to go through and just shake your head , saying "nice try, but you're no Disney". Years ago you could tour the actual chocolate factory, but now they have "Chocolate World" to see the process. I've never been through it, but I'm sure it's way more touristy than touring the factory. .

We did Hershey a few years ago. Chocolate World was really just a ride. no real chocolate being made there! We were a little bummed but a gift shop full of chocolate made up for it.
Park was Ok , no Disney but good none the less.
Ambitious trip! We are near the NC/SC border. We have a theme park, Carowinds and a gold mine. Oh yeah and a public indoor waterpark. That's where I go everyday and spend at least 8 hours.

 

[jordanyosh]

Forget the East Coast come to SoCal...

 

[winkers]

I am loving that you are going to Niagara Falls and Palmyra! I'll have to see where a certain elder is then! Have you thought about moving the trip up to July so you'd be there for pageant?

I think the whole trip sounds fabulous!!!

D.Jay teaches summer school untill august 5th, so that's why we have to postpone it untill august.
hmmm...I could take flat jeff to meet 3d jeff.

Cherie I may know something about Niagara Falls !!!

Let me know the amount of time etc and I will send you LOTS of travel stuff !!! Apart from the actual Falls which areo pn both sides( need a passport for Canada) !!There is Fort Niagara which has reeactments during the summer months about 10 mls away!!Their is a Casino which also has an awesome Buffet!! Some really good Italian restaurants and of course there is beef on weck , not to mention very good pizza and wings !! But I know you would enjoy the Outlet Mall here !!!!

We would probably only spend one day there, so we need to hit the highlights. will you be watching us at the falls from a near by bush?

Ambitious trip! We are near the NC/SC border. We have a theme park, Carowinds and a gold mine. Oh yeah and a public indoor waterpark. That's where I go everyday and spend at least 8 hours.

are you near south of the border? that is the strangest thing I've ever seen! It's like they gathered every tacky thing possible and slapped it there.

Forget the East Coast come to SoCal...

that is our plan b

 

[eandesmom]

I love it! Just allow enough time. More than 8 hours with 4 kids is pretty brutal per-day and it will take longer than the AAA trip tik or your GPS says it will.

Ours did really well. The biggest challenge is stuff. Carting all the stuff and kids still having leg room.

I advise against bringing tents and the like, it is a space sucker in a big way, even with a cargo box!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Wow!!! That sounds like an awesome vacation. I would love to do that but not sure that I have enough stamina to be in the car for that long. Our drives to WDW are pretty much my limit.

Loved all your pictures on the beach. I would LOVE to go there. It just looks so peaceful.

 

[Poolrat]

are you near south of the border? that is the strangest thing I've ever seen! It's like they gathered every tacky thing possible and slapped it there.

Nope South of the Border is right by 95 near the coast. We are dead center ( HM reference there) along the NC/SC border. Major hwys are 85 and 77. 85 from Va to Atlanta and 77 from W Va to columbia SC. they actually cross very close to the waterpark in Charlotte.

South of the Border is just a bunch of tumbles weeds now. We went by about a year ago on our way to the beach ( not our usual way ). My teens and Dh did not let me stop. I did get off the hwy to look and I know in its heyday it was probably something but not anymore.

 

[kmpprg]

Hi Cherie, your trip sounds great! I love a road trip. Last fall we drove through Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida-then after a week in Disney we went to see family in Alabama, and stayed in Nashville, then to Cincinnati then home.
I am from Hershey-lived there until 1985 when I moved to Western Pa for college. It is nice, but not much to see. If you come to Pittsburgh area I will feed you and the family all the BBQ you can handle! Philadelphia is cool-great museums, cheese steaks, and only one hour from the Jersey Beaches!
You could look up the Food Network list of Drive ins and Diners along the way-that is what we do-instead of fast food we like to stop at neat places to eat. Pa has the worst roads in the country though-just warning you!
Wherever you go I am sure you will make it fun and memorable!

 

[winkers]

I advise against bringing tents and the like, it is a space sucker in a big way, even with a cargo box!

I don't plan to do tents...after a day in a car the last thing I want to do is set up a tent and cook over a fire.

Wow!!! That sounds like an awesome vacation. I would love to do that but not sure that I have enough stamina to be in the car for that long. Our drives to WDW are pretty much my limit.

Loved all your pictures on the beach. I would LOVE to go there. It just looks so peaceful.

for me being in the car for a long time isn't the issue...it's the 4 children and a husband who has to pee every hour that bugs me.

South of the Border is just a bunch of tumbles weeds now. We went by about a year ago on our way to the beach ( not our usual way ). My teens and Dh did not let me stop. I did get off the hwy to look and I know in its heyday it was probably something but not anymore.

It was about 5 or 6 years since we were there...there wasn't a lot going on just a lot of oddness. I have a picture of d.jay and I sitting on a big green dinosaur from there among a few other animals.

You could look up the Food Network list of Drive ins and Diners along the way-that is what we do-instead of fast food we like to stop at neat places to eat. Pa has the worst roads in the country though-just warning you!
Wherever you go I am sure you will make it fun and memorable!

that's a great idea!! Our usual rule on vacations is we don't eat anywhere we could eat at home. Living in the middle of no where with few options makes that pretty easy. But we love to find local restraunts to try.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Cherie! I brought you something from Vegas!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I love your trip idea, Cherie! It was always my dream to take my kids on that same trip - so much learning they could do! Never happened. Jim hates road trips, and we couldn't afford plane tickets when the kids were young, then all of our trips became about baseball or Disney and all too soon they were all grown up. Congrats on taking the steps to make it happen for you now!

 

[All7OfUs]

Cherie, it's a wonderful idea- follow your dreams. Yes, cliche, I know. But, when you get to the age we are, one does start to think about this stuff. I know if you don't do it, at least in part, you'll regret it. My first one is now gone, and there are still so many things I wished I"d done with the whole family.

I think it's very do-able, and there are zillions of ways to save money and do it on a budget. Camping, not eating out as much, limiting souvenirs, you know them all I"m sure, from living frugally for a while. It's about what you get to see and BE as a family, not what you buy and eat.


Take lots of pictures, plan together, and enjoy it!!