Our Next Road Trip — And Your Helpful Ideas
This summer (or spring still, technically) we’ve got a gigantic old road trip in our future.
I heart road trips.
I like it all, really.
The driving.
The planning.
The seeing stuff we’ve never seen.
The seeing stuff we saw on other road trips.
Stopping at our favorite traditional stops.
Car games.
Singing (the same songs)(endlessly) in the car.
Laughing through the ridiculous – like circling the same exit in St. Louis six times.
Building memories and loads of “remember that one time?”.
Finding out which restaurant serves the “best of” something in each city we drive through. Best BBQ in Memphis. Best donut in Nashville. Best burger in Kansas City. And then basing our drive in that city through the “best of” options.
Stopping at ludicrous touristy spots – like a giant easel with a Van Gogh painting on it in Kansas. Or the corn mansion in Nebraska.
Non stop games of Twenty Questions and I Have Never and the License Plate game.
We’re heading west again – back to the ranch. (That feels pretty fantastic to write.) And we are also tossing in a few more additions – like a grand attempt at a legitimate family reunion. (Still crossing the fingers that all three brothers throw their hats in the ring and make their respective journeys to our meeting spot. It’s been TEN years since we’ve all been together!)
I’m back and forth about the car rental decision – is it worth the expense?
I’m not camping this year – decided packing the gear and the supplies was just not worth it this go-round.
We’re staying with friends here and there along the path. (If you happen to be near the basic route, let me know – maybe we can meet you for one of our stops at the “best of” in some city or side road along the journey.)
If you have a suggestion for a “best of” spot, please let me know. (We’re partial to bakeries and burgers.)
Or, better yet, if you have a portal to get from one side of Kansas to the other side of Kansas without actually having to drive through Kansas, well, send an SOS because Kansas is NOT my favorite state.
A few years ago I wrote this extensive guide to Road Trips. The kids were all collectively younger then, of course, so some of my tried and true methods have changed, but some are still solidly in place. I’ll be employing the old US map for the license plate game and my kids wouldn’t think it was a legitimate road trip if the scavenger hunt (with a prize, naturally) was not included in our plans.
And we definitely will still be using our Bag Guidelines. It gets a little harder as kids get bigger. Packing small shorts and t-shirts was much easier than packing clothing for regular sized humans. Also, it’s always an interesting challenge to pack for multiple seasons. Last year it snowed on us at one point in Colorado, but then we were blazing hot in Arkansas. Various wardrobe adjustments must be made.
I’m ready and open to all suggestions for this upcoming adventure.
Including another name idea. Last year we dubbed our journey “Making Our Trail”. I don’t like repeating names – is that a surprise? – so I’m up for a new option. I keep throwing ideas out there like “the traveling circus” and “the carnival comes to town” but for some reason my teenage daughters keep finding those choices offensive, as if I view our family like a freak show or something. (Hey, I’m just basing the names on how I assume other people see us.)
So if you are feeling creative, feel free to offer ….
Trip name suggestions
“Best of” options for a route from South Carolina to Colorado
Car games
Is renting a car worth the extra expense?
Podcasts for the road
The best books to listen to on audio versions
What song/album should we burn out as we listen to it over 2,000 miles? (Last year it was “Hello”.)
Thank you!
I can’t wait to hear your collective genius!
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14 Comments
Erin
The Donut Mill in Woodland Park, CO is a good place to stop, if you have time and are close. Our family has been there a couple of times when we were in Colorado. I would say get there earlier in the day, if you can. They sell out of some things by lunch time (something we realized the last time we went). We were hoping to get their 10-12 inch cinnamon roll donut. Their website is thedonutmill.com. I hope you all have a wonderful trip!
laceykeigley
Thank you! We stopped somewhere like that – maybe it was the same place – last year and LOVED it – I think that’s the same spot because the cinnamon roll was HUGE! We definitely plan to stop again!!
Karen
Is Ohio on your way?! I’d love to see you. And I would totally sleep on the floor and give up both my beds and couch for you guys!
laceykeigley
I wish it was.
Well, I don’t actually wish Ohio was on the way — but I wish I could pop into your house!
Kimmie
Our favorite audio book on a road trip was “My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George. My boys (now 25 and 28) still recall it fondly. Bonus…it is the first in a series, so if you have a long trip ahead, you’ll have plenty of listening time.
laceykeigley
Yes – we LOVE that book but have never listened to it on audio. Excellent choice! Thank you!
David Peters
If you need a place to stay in Kansas my in laws live in a little town called Quinter on 70 about a hour from Colorado. They have 3 extra bedrooms and quit murdering guest years ago. If it is something that would help I can talk to Katie about it. They have always been willing to help travelers out.
laceykeigley
Well David – I felt good about that until the murdering joke.
Actually – we will be paying through that way though, thanks. I’ll look at the map and see if it might work.
Thanks.
Boyd
While renting a vehicle will likely prove more expensive, the bigger issue is the road worthiness of your current vehicle. I have been on both sides of that fence! Older vehicle – I rented, newer – I drove it. Happy trails!
laceykeigley
I know. It’s SO hard to decide. Our vehicle has over 200,000 miles on it already.
Erin
I am thrilled that you get to go back to the ranch. After reading about your trip last year, I hoped you would be able to go back.
laceykeigley
Thank you!
We are thrilled to go back again.
Tiffany Monroe Askew
Yes, rental car is worth it! Please, please contact Amy Dean – she is the best at hating great deals on rental cars!! Can’t wait to see you at the ranch (especially since I only saw you once while in Travelers Rest ?)!!!
Tiffany Monroe Askew
*Getting great deals (not hating – dear Jesus please help me and my autocorrect!)