What's even more amazing about this trip is that, with one notable exception, I've not planned anything. My normal mode of operation would be to equally divide (within about 30 minutes) the driving time amongst 3 days, printed maps for each leg of the trip and hotel reservations in place for each stop. But I've decided to live dangerously.
Cam and I will head out sometime early Friday morning (5-ish) and we'll head west. I'll drive and drive and drive, until I'm too tired to go any farther and then we'll stop for the night. We'll get up the next morning, have a decent breakfast, and start driving again. I plan on being in Spokane, WA (our ultimate destination) early Monday afternoon. EDIT: Oops! I forgot to mention that 95% of my family lives in Eastern Washington. The purpose of this trip is to visit with them - it has been 5 years since they've seen either Cam or me.
The return trip? Same process - possibly a different route - I don't even have a map!
The planner doesn't have a plan! I think I better go hit Google Maps before I have a panic attack ...
40 comments:
Your so like me, i normally have to plan every thing well out in advance. Go from A to B the quickest way with any detours! but lately i have ket go a little and just do things on the spur of the moment. So good luck with your Road trip and i know you have a wonderful time.
That sounds like a good time. I love driving on long trips. Gives me time to put things in perspective.
I like to throw caution to the wind on trips and not plan out every detail. I trust my GPS to get me where I want to be.
Just go look for "America"- that's what I do...
Sounds like the 2008 version of "On the Road". Please take lots of pics of the travel. I have driven west a few times, but never on the northern most route. My trip this summer is less daunting as I take my son to school in Chicago form PA latter this month.
It DOES sound like fun! Whatcha gonna do when you get there?
The best trips are unplanned. It's how you end up riding an ox in Honduras. By the way, they don't understand Enlish. Know a little Spanish before you hop on!
Do something wild for me!
Mike, this is SOOOOO out of character for me, but I am "forcing" myself to do it!
Corky, I always wanted to be an over-the-road truck driver for that very reason. In fact, I had visions of grandeur of bringing Cam along and homeschooling him in a semi-truck. Who knows?
Karen, but I don't have GPS!!! *sobs*
Buff, that is kind of the plan. If something strikes our fancy we'll stop and take a look!
Kannon7, I'm hoping that wherever we stop - when we do stop - will have a wifi connection so that I can keep y'all updated on our progress. Chicago you say? You'll be in my neighborhood!
RLL, the purpose of the trip is to visit family in Washington. It's been 5 years since most of them have seen either Cam or me. I'm just hoping I don't end up in Honduras! Something wild? I think I might be able to make that happen!
Well good for you, it will be hard but you will have so much fun once youlet go
The sounds of 'Take it Easy' and 'Born to Be Wild' are singing in my head now Dana.
I think this is something everyone of us have wanted to do.
I hope you have a safe and fun trip.
Take large amounts of pictures for us to see.
You my dear, are a rebel without a plan. Dana...livin' on the edge. Have fun and be safe. Cheers!!
I never plan and I never know where I'm going. Take your passport just incase you find yourself in Canada!
Mike, I think this just might be a step in the right direction - one that reminds me that I really don't have "control" even when I think I do!
TMC, Born to be Wild will be downloaded on my iPod and I'll think of you when it plays *wink*
Cat, I drove from Washington State to Maryland in the early 90's - by myself. I'm thinking this trip with my son will be far more fun!
Very cool. Sometimes its nice to give up a little control and just wing it a bit. Road trips can be a lot of fun.
You are so like me, I always plan every detail ! And now you're going with the flow.... :) Eek ! Hope it is a great drive, an interesting one, and fun, so that it might be worth doing it that way again...
Just remember to drive away from the sun in the morning and toward the sun in the evening and you'll be fine.
Oh and please take time to see Glacier National park for me. I doubt I'll get to see it before it becomes "The Park formerly known as Glacier National Park"
Oh and try to be nice to your family when you see them. Family is always a pain in the butt, but they are always family.
Have fun and be safe
Matt-Man, a rebel without a plan? Thank goodness I have a cause!
Knight, you never plan? And life still turns out OK??? *giggle*
Jay, control is really just a figment of my imagination anyway. I figure if I wing it nothing can go wrong because there isn't a plan!
Loving, I'm well past "EEK" and moving swiftly in to "The sky is falling," but then I take a deep breath.
Apple Hubs, I have to be nice to my family?? Actually, don't tell anyone but the reason I'm driving is so that I can escape if they become a bit overbearing.
Seriously, I often leave home without any idea how to get wherever I'm going. Then I have to text Cha Cha (It's Free) for an address. When I went to the Bahamas in June we made no plans prior to getting there other than the time share reservation. It was great. If you don't have plans you never feel rushed to do be anywhere.
So happy for you that you're not planning all the details. Did I mention envious, as well? Be safe and keep us posted!
And safe travels to you too toots. Having the GPS is nice since I wont get lost, but it also makes it easier to not plan stuff, or take a side trip since the pressure of not knowing where you are or how to get to someplace new is alleviated.
I'm looking forward to your travelog :)
Dana, that sounds like so much fun!!!!! I think you are doing it exactly right, because Cam will think it's AWSOME! No plans, just a fun trip. But why are you going? Did I miss that part?
Knight, I used to be far more spontaneous in my youth. Now that I'm old and have responsibilities, I've lost almost all of that. It just felt like it was time to let go on this trip. I do have VZ Navigator on my phone should I get beyond lost - I guess that's some comfort.
Bette, details are highly overrated ... unless you are doing your taxes.
g-man, and a travelog it will be. I might even throw in a bit of a travelvlog!
I tend to plan things out...and figure what I will drive each day, but don't make reservations in case I decide to go further or stop sooner...
I like the idea of a different route home thought...gives you different things to explore...
Sounds fun yet scary. Hit your local Wal-mart or Best Buy and pick up a GPS before you head out. Big plus if you don't have one. Safe SAFE trip Dana and Cam. Have you ever been to Cashmere Wa?
I am glad you are having a free-spirited trip. I use to have those, but with 2 small kids, our trips have to be much more structured to ensure napping and eating occur close to the schedule we use at home. I am usually the planner, and that alone is like a second job, but I find it fun to research the hotels, and best routes.
I remember when I was 12, it was the first time I saw the ocean. A trip from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. We got into the car, and my dad said where do you want to go, what do you want to see? (which was weird because we knew we were going to PA). I said I've never seen the ocean, and bam-just like that we took a 3 day detour to visit Virginia Beach. It was one of the best trips we ever took as a family.
I hope you and Cam have a good time, and make sure to stop and look at some cheesy touristy things like the world's largest ball of twine or something.
Sorry, not trying to make my own blog here, but maybe you can let Cam google your route and find something along the way he might like to visit. Then you are not 'planning' but you will have a goal for one day, so that might calm your inner organizer a little.
I've done the route several times back and forth to the in-laws in Iowa. Montana is gorgeous and the badlands are not to be missed. the nice thing about not having an itinerary is you can just pull over and enjoy the scenery for as long as you want (or get sucked in to the black hole that is Wall Drug.
Hope it all goes well. If you get totally bored, Portland is just a quick trip to the southwest. We;ll keep the light on for you.
ahem...think you forgot to plan for something on your unplanned trip. ~lee
Sounds like a really nice trip. It must be a lot to see along the road. I love travel by train - when it's possible to focus on the landscape. When I drive car i'm so concentrated on the road.
Bina, I think Cam will have fun too, and he is so looking forward to going.
Bond, I've convinced Cam that we should see how many different states we can go through in 10 days.
Lu, I've got a mini GPS available on my phone. I'm going to pay the $9.99 subscription fee to add it for the trip.
Ambergail, I've actually told him that we can stop at any attraction along the way that interests him. I'm thinking we'll end up at some reptile palace!
Garbonzo, Wall Drug ... I might have to get a bumper sticker!
Lee, I wish you could get over the mountains! I don't know if I'll be ready to add another 10 hours to the drive! But knowing my family, it is a possibility *wink*
d2b, I first considered the train - my son would be thrilled - but train fare was just as much as plane fare!
Lu, I almost forgot!! Cashmere, Washington - home of Aplets and Cotlets! Yes, I've been there many times, and through there literally hundreds of times - I had family that lived in Wenatchee for decades!
ought to make for some great weblog posts....you gonna have mobile internet access?
I have a cam too...
Kat, wouldn't that be fun?? Unfortunately, I'm just hoping I can land somewhere with wifi, but I'll document along the way and update when I can!
Road trip!~!!!!!! yay for you and cam!!!
Glad I finally got over here to see what's going on..I'd hate to miss the trip.
I like vacations where you just go and plan later. There are so many things to see and experience along the way that planning and time lines too often get in the way.
have fun kiddo!
pick up some rocks along the way for me...k?? :)
I CANNOT not have a hotel reservation. The rest I can handle but I need to make sure I have a safe, clean place to rest my head at night.
Have fun on the trip. WARNING!!! Nebraska will put you to sleep. Drink lots of coffee.
Sounds like a great trip. Have a good time. I tend to be obsessive-compulsive most of the time, however I have been known to into a general direction and figure I'll get were ongoing. Be careful out West because there are some places you don't want to make a wrong turn. Going through the middle of Wyoming can be very exciting. Yawn.
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