I have been on quite a few road trips in my days, many across the United States even. Being a military veteran you really get use to moving and traveling around the country. But these trips were always for a purpose, reassignment or training. Although there was planning, sightseeing and fun involved in many of these travels, they were far from a dream road trip.
So what makes a dream road trip? Is it having a few thousand dollars extra to spend on staying on lavish hotels and accommodations? Is it renting a drop-top Mercedes and letting your hair fly in the wind across country? Well I say a dream road trip can be those things if that suits you but for me it had to be a little more. I will break it down to three things it had to accomplish.
First, I have two sons that would be on spring break so this trip had to be a time for us to escape and bond. Kids grow up so fast and you have to make these lasting family memories. Most kids would rather stay home in front of the TV playing video games these days instead of stuck in a car with dear old Dad. But everyone has to be onboard, to steal a Navy term. I have had several trips with the kids before and they love to talk about the memories we shared on those adventures. So I know once you overcome the gravity and inertia of their rears on the couch and get their wheels moving they tend to always have a great time. Nothing compares to experiencing new things and places with the people you love.
Second, a dream road trip has to be fun! I am a big into researching everything from cameras to books. I expect to get the best for my money and time. Researching things online and talking to people who have been there done and done that, really saves you effort and sometimes heartache. Trip Advisor is an excellent site to plan where you must stop on a road trip and especially where you must eat. You can really find some gems using this site. It seems its popularity is getting more common because you often find lines at these places. Allow yourself some freedom however; keep the road trip loose and free. That’s the allure of the road trip versus any other vacation. Take loads of pictures and be in the moment of each and every stop. Explore to the limit of your time allotted to each stop.
Finally dream big! A road trip should be something that is not a common trip to Big Momma’s house, sorry I am from the South. Excitement is highest for the group when you have extended outside your normal reach of the world. In our case we booked a flight from Atlanta to Phoenix and rented a car. This not only significantly cut down on the time we spent inside the car but also added a bit of mystery and adventure to our tale. After arriving in Phoenix, we had a late night drive to Flagstaff Arizona to ensure were close to the Grand Canyon to start our trip out right. After a morning taking in the breathtaking view of the Canyon we bee lined to the Hoover Dam. I had been to both places before but never took the time to slow down and take in all they had to offer. Believe me you could vacation in both places and be fulfilled. So the end of our first day we arrived at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. The kids enjoyed the lights, the water show at the Bellagio and walking the strip. What they didn’t know was the next stop was California.
