For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[dvczerfs]

Posting to say - How did this thread make it all the way to the bottom of page 2?? Here's a bump!

thats not good. anyone hear from bc????

 

[mcasiano]

I recall seeing the announcements of the upcoming Ridgeland, SC speed traps in newspaper articles in either late spring or early summer in 2010. I had a drive through there coming up in August so was on the lookout for them, but either I missed them, they were not operational yet, or just not in operation at the times of day I went through there. I believe there is a lot of controversy now as to the legality of these speed cameras, but tickets are being given out, so be careful. The articles back then said there were to be warning signs posted too, and that was what I was looking for. I do recall an overpass and looked carefully when near there, but never noticed anything, so maybe it was not yet in place. Are there signs posted now?

It's against SC law to use these devices.
http://www.speedtrap.org/view/South Carolina/124322

 

[BC1836]

thats not good. anyone hear from bc????

Howdy, gang!
Fear not, we're here.
Just very busy with several books I have coming out this year (and one is Disney-related).
Be good, stay well and, as always...
All the best.

 

[nytimez]

It's against SC law to use these devices.
http://www.speedtrap.org/view/South Carolina/124322

Yes, very much so -- but they're doing it anyway.

 

[mcasiano]

Sen. Larry Grooms, is introducing a bill in the 2011 S.C. legislative session to outlaw Ridgeland's use of traffic cameras to ticket speeders on I-95.
http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/01/08/1503802/state-senator-promises-bill-tuesday.html

 

[sharadoc]

Howdy, gang!
Fear not, we're here.
Just very busy with several books I have coming out this year (and one is Disney-related).
Be good, stay well and, as always...
All the best.

How many books can one have at one time? Are they travel books, fiction, what? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[nono]

Hey folks, posting here 'cause probably only you will understand....

Just got notification that my cargo cover for our Mitsubishi Outlander is on its way from the west coast. A dealer out there is selling genuine parts (with shipping) for over 1/3 less than anyone else.

Since our kids (ages 7 & 4) have told us they enjoy the long, daytime rides to WDW, we're planning on doing less overnight hauls for awhile and stopping part way. The cargo cover becomes a much needed item if we're going to stop.

 

[pwdebbie]

Howdy, gang!
Fear not, we're here.
Just very busy with several books I have coming out this year (and one is Disney-related).
Be good, stay well and, as always...
All the best.

Books? You are an author? What have you written and under what name?

 

[BC1836]

How many books can one have at one time? Are they travel books, fiction, what? Inquiring minds want to know!

Howdy!
Three of the four books are history titles for young readers; the fourth is an adult bio. It just so happens that editing re-writes on two of the young readers' books are happening as I'm rushing to complete the bio. And I also edit and publish an historical quarterly, which I'm also working on right now.
Enough of all that; let's get back to the road and help all those who seek input and advice from that wonderful gang known for its "2,000+ mile round-trip drives!"
All the best.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Looks like we'll be driving for our 2nd time this October from PA to FL!!!!
We'll be driving through the beautiful mountains down 81-77-26 to 95. Just wondering if there are any good places you would recommend for dinner along Rte. 81? We pack lunch for the drive down and plan to eat dinner-out somewhere before Statesville NC or Rock Hill SC.
Then on the drive home we plan to stayover in Statesville, NC and last time we ate lunch at Mrs. Rowes restaurant in Staunton VA on the drive from NC to PA. It was pretty good but the reviews on tripadvisor are not so great recently. So I thought maybe we could find a different place around Staunton area to try...time wise we would be near there for lunchtime.

 

[Luvamouse]

Looks like we'll be driving for our 2nd time this October from PA to FL!!!!
We'll be driving through the beautiful mountains down 81-77-26 to 95. Just wondering if there are any good places you would recommend for dinner along Rte. 81? We pack lunch for the drive down and plan to eat dinner-out somewhere before Statesville NC or Rock Hill SC.
Then on the drive home we plan to stayover in Statesville, NC and last time we ate lunch at Mrs. Rowes restaurant in Staunton VA on the drive from NC to PA. It was pretty good but the reviews on tripadvisor are not so great recently. So I thought maybe we could find a different place around Staunton area to try...time wise we would be near there for lunchtime.

Not exactly what you were asking for, but...
We too take this same route, but from RI We meant to hit the Statesville, NC Dunkin Donuts, but missed the exit years ago and wound up (very happily as NASCAR fans) in Mooresville, NC. Not sure of your budget or tastes, or how much you love your Statesville hotel, but we LOVE the Hilton Garden Inn in Mooresville, Exit 33 off of 77 and take a quick turn or two. Only downside is no included breakfast, but the hotel makes up for it. We've gotten rates under $100 on occasion. Nearby is Lancaster's BBQ-- one of our absolute faves. (Exit 36 off of Rte 77, and about 2 1/2 miles east.) We now head to Mooresville without a WDW trip!

When it comes to eating lunch on the road, I can't advise you well. We tend to save any sit down or remotely filling meals for the end of the day as it usually makes us tired or can not sit well. Probably all the sitting WE are doing We've stopped in Staunton several times at Shenandoah Harley Davidson and I think there is a Cracker Barrel nearby-- we have terrific luck with them. Have a great, safe trip!!

 

[Fwd Facing Tentacles]

Looks like we'll be driving for our 2nd time this October from PA to FL!!!!
We'll be driving through the beautiful mountains down 81-77-26 to 95. Just wondering if there are any good places you would recommend for dinner along Rte. 81? We pack lunch for the drive down and plan to eat dinner-out somewhere before Statesville NC or Rock Hill SC.
Then on the drive home we plan to stayover in Statesville, NC and last time we ate lunch at Mrs. Rowes restaurant in Staunton VA on the drive from NC to PA. It was pretty good but the reviews on tripadvisor are not so great recently. So I thought maybe we could find a different place around Staunton area to try...time wise we would be near there for lunchtime.

We always stop at the Olive Garden in Rock Hill SC. Going south it's exit 79 on 77, about 10 miles south of the NC/SC border. Turn right at the light, go a couple of more lights and it's on the right. It's fairly new, very large so no wait, and the service has always been good.

 

[Vickis3js]

Since this post seems to be sinking down again I figured I would ask if anyone has websites for printable activities for the kiddos. I found this one http://www.momsminivan.com/printables.html We print out a new license plate game for each trip. Its their fav game to play. Anyone have any others? I found mine seem to like the printable things more then the workbooks and things I buy so hey why not save $$ and just do more printables.

 

[nono]

Anyone have any others? I found mine seem to like the printable things more then the workbooks and things I buy so hey why not save $$ and just do more printables.

My kids like me to read them stories when I'm not driving. What has been successful is printing out color sheets to coincide with the theme of what I'm reading. For instance, Curious George pages, horse pages for horse stories, etc. Oh, and they also like mazes. I've used this site for mazes.

 

[justakrazymom]

we take out several books on tape ( chapter books but not big ole books like HP) to listen to on the drive..

 

[kteesmumma]

looking for some thoughts and advice. We are booked at Pop for May 7. We will be driving down from Boston. It will be hubby, myself and our 2 kids. Aged 4 and 8. My initial plan was to leave at midnight 12:01am May 6. Drive as much as we can and stay overnight possibly in GA somewhere. Then drive the rest of the way the next day.

I just found out that my daughter will have a half day on May 5. I was thinking of possibly leaving early afternoon on May 5.

I am also wondering if its possible or if we should even consider driving straight through. If so would it be better to drive straight through and leave at midnight or drive straight through and leave early afternoon on May 5 (we could always add an extra night onto our ressie and check in on May 6).

If we leave at midnight and drive straight through is it ok to check into our resort in the middle of the night?

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Well, have talked about doing it before but never got the courage to do, but its booked and we are driving. We are coming from Northern Indiana near South Bend, hoping to do it straight through. I hope it works out!

 

[nytimez]

looking for some thoughts and advice. We are booked at Pop for May 7. We will be driving down from Boston. It will be hubby, myself and our 2 kids. Aged 4 and 8. My initial plan was to leave at midnight 12:01am May 6. Drive as much as we can and stay overnight possibly in GA somewhere. Then drive the rest of the way the next day.

I just found out that my daughter will have a half day on May 5. I was thinking of possibly leaving early afternoon on May 5.

I am also wondering if its possible or if we should even consider driving straight through. If so would it be better to drive straight through and leave at midnight or drive straight through and leave early afternoon on May 5 (we could always add an extra night onto our ressie and check in on May 6).

If we leave at midnight and drive straight through is it ok to check into our resort in the middle of the night?

Sounds to me like a long drive to do all at once, but that's just me. If you've never done it before, I wouldn't advise it on a first try.

You can check into your resort in the middle of the night -- if you have a reservation for that overnight (checking in "late" as opposed to really, really "early"). But you might want to have them note on the reservation that you will be a late arrival.

 

[sharadoc]

Sounds to me like a long drive to do all at once, but that's just me. If you've never done it before, I wouldn't advise it on a first try.

You can check into your resort in the middle of the night -- if you have a reservation for that overnight (checking in "late" as opposed to really, really "early"). But you might want to have them note on the reservation that you will be a late arrival.

I'll second this advice. Our kids have driven with us 5 times since january 09. We are planning to drive straight through for the first time our next trip. We think we have it all figured out finally, so we know what we need to bring, where we like to stop, what works to keep then occupied and happy, and how much DH and I can handle behind the wheel.

For your first trip, and especially with little ones in the car, you should be alert and awake and ready to react to anything. If you've never driven the route before, it will be stressful even though it's very easy once you pass Richmond.

Plus stopping for an overnight sleep means you won't be exhausted when you arrive, which is really important when you have excited kids who want to see and do everything immediately!

 

[HeatherC]

KTEESMUMMA...We are also in Massachusetts.

My suggestion would be to leave around 6am to avoid most of the NYC and Dc rush hour traffic. Drive until around 7pm which should put you in SC. Have a nice dinner, go to bed early and be on the road by 6 or 7 am and you will be in Disney by early afternoon all rested and ready to go.

Have fun whatever you decide!