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Our Road Trip is About to End

post #1 of 24
10/22/11 at 11:37pm
Thread Starter 
For the past five and a half months my family and myself have traveled across America. We have seen and experienced so much, I don't even know where to begin... I guess maybe with a quick geographical recap, huh? A list of some of the places we visited -

San Francisco, LA, Route 66, The Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde NP, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, Denver area, Rocky Mt NP, Black Hills of Dakota (Mt ushmore and Wind Cave NP), Devil's Tower, Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, Glacier NP, the Canadian Rockies (all the way up to Jasper), Vancouver (in Canada), Seattle, Olympic NP, Mt St Helen's, the Oregon Coast, Lake Crater NP, Redwoods NP, the California coastline (HWY 1 from Fort Bragg almost to LA), Yosemite NP, San Antonio, New Orleans, St Louis, Mammoth Cave NP, the Smokies... I probably left out a bunch of pretty important stuff

Being away from home, road tripping with one husband and two kids in a minivan and switching from one motel to another wasn't always easy, but it was so worth it! I feel so fortunate and thankful, for being allowed to share in the immense beauty of this county and enjoy the hospitality of its people.

I do miss home though! I miss my two furbabies so much and have a serious petting crave by now I know they are both doing well, pampered by our family (who live next door to us).

This is a time of mixed emotions for me. I know coming back home will not be easy, especially for the kids who need to go back to school as soon as we return. DH isn't looking forward to going back to work either. I am actually glad to be going back to new changes, and no doubt challenges, here on TCS. I've been working on this project as best I could while on the road and it's about to reach a high point!

I could go on and on Instead, I'll share a few pictures here.











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post #2 of 24
10/22/11 at 11:43pm
You all like you have had a wonderful time

Safe travels home!
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post #3 of 24
10/23/11 at 2:26am
Mixed emotions are probably par for the course when ending such an unforgettable adventure. You and your family have probably seen more of North America (and lots and lots of bears!) than most natives. Have a safe trip home, and hopefully the jet lag will be manageable.
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post #4 of 24
10/23/11 at 4:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
Mixed emotions are probably par for the course when ending such an unforgettable adventure. You and your family have probably seen more of North America (and lots and lots of bears!) than most natives. Have a safe trip home, and hopefully the jet lag will be manageable.


All true! Wow - what a fantastic experience for you and your family! It's one dream of mine to take a cross-country trip road trip across America.

Sounds like you had a wonderful time - great pics!!
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post #5 of 24
10/23/11 at 5:47am
Wow, looks like it was an amazing once in a lifetime trip!
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post #6 of 24
10/23/11 at 7:32am
You probably know more about the United States, now, than most Americans. I believe it's still true close to 50% of all Americans have never been more than about 100 miles from where they were born. That's hard to believe!

I've seen all those things, being a trucker and taking the time off to do some touristing.

One big question... Did you find the pigtail bridges and tunnels just south of Mount Rushmore?
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post #7 of 24
10/23/11 at 7:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
One big question... Did you find the pigtail bridges and tunnels just south of Mount Rushmore?
Yup! Sure did - I was actually the designated driver for the trip, so I remember the road quite well We spent five days at Custer State Park there and I think we drove every mile in the park, as well as hiked and canoed (if that's a verb..)
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post #8 of 24
10/23/11 at 9:40am
It looks like you had an amazing trip! You will remember this for a lifetime. Enjoy!
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post #9 of 24
10/23/11 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcat View Post
Mixed emotions are probably par for the course when ending such an unforgettable adventure. You and your family have probably seen more of North America (and lots and lots of bears!) than most natives. Have a safe trip home, and hopefully the jet lag will be manageable.
That's true.

I am glad you and your family have enjoyed your trip to the US.
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post #10 of 24
10/23/11 at 11:14am
What a beautiful family!! What happy smiling faces and what an adventure you all have been on here in the States. MAN!!! I haven't even been to some of the places you visited , not much of a traveler here ....

Thanks for sharing those photos!! Safe travels back home to your "real" life and to your furkids (who will be SO happy to have their meowmy home)
Lauren
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post #11 of 24
10/23/11 at 3:55pm
Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I agree that you've seen more places that most of us who were born and raised here have not seen. Kind of makes me ashamed --- only thing is my husband hates auto trips. Before he retired he did a lot of driving (local), and hates long distance driving. We have friends who have an RV and travel all over the country- -- and she does all the driving, something I could never do.

Welcome back home!
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post #12 of 24
10/23/11 at 4:35pm
What a wonderful, amazing thing to be able to offer your children! Definitely, an experience of a lifetime. Safe travels home, and hope you all settle back in without too much trouble!
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post #13 of 24
10/23/11 at 6:14pm
My goodness... I wasn´t in your car on the trip, but I feel tired for the long, long tour!..
...

just kidding!...
Glad that you´re happy and really have you enjoyed with your whole family this fantastic time!...
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post #14 of 24
10/23/11 at 7:08pm
How awesome!!! I am jealous you had 5½ months! You saw so much!! What a special trip to have with your family.

My husband and I went across country last summer over the course of 2 weeks and hit 21 states. Next time we'd like to hit the northern states across the country. It's amazing the beauty throughout the country.
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post #15 of 24
10/23/11 at 7:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tara & Rob View Post
How awesome!!! I am jealous you had 5½ months! You saw so much!! What a special trip to have with your family.

My husband and I went across country last summer over the course of 2 weeks and hit 21 states. Next time we'd like to hit the northern states across the country. It's amazing the beauty throughout the country.
21 states in 14 days??? That is a lot of driving per day (and night too, I guess!)

Just returned to our motel 6 room after a very interesting day visiting Alcatraz. The kids (and me) gained the last Jr Ranger badge for this trip - I think they each have about 30 badges by now.

That's it - lots of shopping and packing planned for tomorrow and then on Tuesday, we fly out!
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post #16 of 24
10/23/11 at 9:20pm
Oh what a fun trip!! I don't think I could stand to be in the car that much!

Someday I dream of visiting Israel!
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post #17 of 24
10/24/11 at 3:48am
Have a safe trip home! You are very fortunate to have been able to experience so many places. I live here and have never been to a National Park.
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post #18 of 24
10/24/11 at 5:13am
It sounds like you've had a lovely visit! And many happy memories! Stay safe going home!
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post #19 of 24
10/24/11 at 5:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne View Post
21 states in 14 days??? That is a lot of driving per day (and night too, I guess!)

Just returned to our motel 6 room after a very interesting day visiting Alcatraz. The kids (and me) gained the last Jr Ranger badge for this trip - I think they each have about 30 badges by now.

That's it - lots of shopping and packing planned for tomorrow and then on Tuesday, we fly out!
We actually drove mostly during the day, and stopped to visit places as well. Rob and I usually drive straight through to places (the original plan was to drive straight from South Carolina to Colorado with only stopping one night on the way there [it was for a 100th bday party]! We do a lot of road trips that usually have little to no stop time when we buy stuff in other states). We decided to take 2 weeks and have a more relaxed trip. It only took us 4 days to get to Los Angeles, CA from Charleston, SC. We did stop at quite a few locations along the way. We spent 4 days of the trip in Colorado alone on the way back! I also posted a thread about it in August 2010 We went: SC, GA, AL, MS, TN, AR, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, UT, CO, NE, KS, MO, IL, IN, KY, TN, NC, SC.

I'm sure heading home for you guys is mixed feelings - glad to be back in your own home, but sad the amazing trip is over! Safe travels!
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post #20 of 24
10/24/11 at 5:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anne View Post
Just returned to our motel 6 room after a very interesting day visiting Alcatraz.
I don't know if you (or others) have come across them, but there is a series of books called "The Alchemist" series, by Michael Scott. Alcatraz is very important in them.

Apropros of really nothing, I guess.

Your kids have just had the equivalent of two years of education, I'd say, as long as they actually paid attention and didn't have their noses in books or games.

Those bridges and tunnels I mentioned are kind of a fascinating piece of history, done back during the Depression by the CCC. Did you notice that each tunnel framed Mount Rushmore? It would be just about impossible to get permission to do such a project today, let alone finance it.
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post #21 of 24
10/25/11 at 12:44am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
I don't know if you (or others) have come across them, but there is a series of books called "The Alchemist" series, by Michael Scott. Alcatraz is very important in them.

Apropros of really nothing, I guess.

Your kids have just had the equivalent of two years of education, I'd say, as long as they actually paid attention and didn't have their noses in books or games.

Those bridges and tunnels I mentioned are kind of a fascinating piece of history, done back during the Depression by the CCC. Did you notice that each tunnel framed Mount Rushmore? It would be just about impossible to get permission to do such a project today, let alone finance it.
Yes, the tunnels are very impressive! The kids learned a lot during the trip - they did junior ranger programs everywhere we could, which taught them (and us, the parents!) so much about the places we visited. They also picked up on the language quite well! I taught them how to read and write in English before they came, but now they can also understand so much and talk! I'm very impressed with the progress they made there.

Well, that's it. Everything's packed in way too many suitcases, and I *think* we're all ready to go. Off to bed now, and tomorrow - we're going to return the rental car (oh how I'll miss it!) and get on a plane back home.
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post #22 of 24
10/25/11 at 9:12am
"Are we there, yet?"

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Dad always wanted to take me and Mom out west. He traveled there a lot as a young man.
As a family we did cover most of the USA east of the Mississippi River.
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post #23 of 24
10/26/11 at 11:18am
What a wonderful experience for you and family, and thank you for sharing your pictures with us!!! I really enjoyed looking at them.

I can remember when both your boys were just tiny newborn babies. I can't believe how much they've grown!!!!
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post #24 of 24
10/28/11 at 1:48am
Thread Starter 
I don't think the kids even once asked "are we there yet" Actually, I'm still amazed at how good they were and how much interest they showed in everything!
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