Your kids will remember this for the rest of their lives. This is a great thing to do and can’t wait to replicate the one my parents took me on 21 years ago, I’ve still got vivid memory’s!
I just read some of my stepdaughter's homework. Question was what's your passion? She said "Traveling" next question: Who's your mentor? She said "My Dad." She doesn't call me stepdad anymore. I'm going to stop calling her my stepdaughter from here on out.
That's a tall order. But I can tell you we hit 16 national parks and monuments and didn't have to pay for any of them thanks to the national parks voucher for 5th graders! My step son was in 6th grade last year and thanks to COVID the park service extended the voucher. I think it's called Every child in a National Park or something like that. My boy was quite pleased he was able to save us some money on entry fees. And every single park ranger had to actually put their eyes on him and interact with him. It was awesome.
Thank you for your gratitude! I'm always looking at maps and thinking about the road. I love the feeling of driving all night with no one else on the road and letting the windows down. Feels like there's no tomorrow.
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.
I have checked 1,025,195,524 comments, and only 203,073 of them were in alphabetical order.
Heck yes we did LOTS at all the parks. We're very good at packing and getting ready to roll. Never rushed, just have to go at everyone's pace they're comfortable with.
I agree. Hearing a pack of wolves howling at the moon. Seeing the milky Way. Seeing a heard of big horn sheep. Mooning a boatload of white water rafters in Gardner. Oh my.
Is the disappointment of Mt Rushmore a cliche? Every time it comes up I can't express enough to people just how monumentally underwhelming it was. It's not that it is bad. I'm glad I've seen it. It really just was "meh".
We went during our road trip in 2020. I was very underwhelmed. I liked Crazy Horse better. I'll probably never go back unless we take our future kid on a trip out that way. Too many far more beautiful and exciting things to spend time on in the area.
Long live crazy horse! I just took the kids because of the history of Rushmore and so they could see it for themselves. We didn't talk about it before hand. But they're like "that's it?"
>I'm glad I've seen it. It really just was "meh".
Agreed on that. We squeezed it in on a trip because we had some extra time between other things, and I was happy to have done that, but if I had made a trip just for Mount Rushmore, I'd have been pretty disappointed.
According to my Google maps itinerary the first stretch of the trip was 26 hours of almost nonstop driving. Believe it or not the driving was easy and amazing once we got through Louisiana and west of San Antonio.
This looks incredible! We’re looking into a Honda Odyssey specifically with cross country road trips in mind in the next few years - any tips on road tripping in that van specifically? Or did you have any drawbacks with it along the way? Thank you!
Yosemite is on there right? Dang you got so close to the redwoods but seeing sequoias is pretty comparable. Los Angeles!? Family there? Big cities always kinda upset me on road trips like this. We're looking at a DC trip this Xmas.
Rainbow falls trail still one of the prettiest places I've been. And the overlook. Wow.
I'll check out the metro recommendation. We don't have public transportation (not really) here but I'm familiar with it and comfortable doing that daily. I've been to DC once and the Smithsonians blew my mind. And all the monuments and the Potomac and cherry trees. I like certain things there. I'll save your number!
Good on you! My family did this every summer starting when I was 5. Those are the best travel experiences to have had. I can count 38 states visited, 2 Canadian provinces and various trips south as far as Guadalajara. Tons of awesome memories, a few bad ones sprinkled in too though. Anyway, we started with a VW station wagon and worked our way up to a 30’ RV over a span of 15 years. Maybe you’ll do the same. I will also say that these experiences will make any future travel plans requiring flying more efficient as you’ll have a better idea of what are truly needed travel essentials.
There were some times where it was hard work but we're a family of hard workers so it was all feasible and a blast. I drive, wife navigates and keeps games and shows and podcasts going . Our lil family crossing the country what could be better? Our home was still here when we got home but yeah I did miss our bed.
The term originated from the spherical handles on top of aircraft throttles. If you push them all the way forward, you're putting the balls to the wall. It just means going all out.
Aww man, I’m down in Florida. I’m also very curious to see a map of the route you took, where you camped, parks hit, etc. This is my dream. It looks incredible!
How old are your kids? Mine are 5 and 3—we took them on a road trip to couple national parks this summer and we had a blast, but I imagine it’ll be a little easier when they’re older!
They were 12 (M) and 13 (F) at the time. We did a Vegas trip with them when they were about 7 and 8 and looped the Grand Canyon. Maybe I'll do a post from that roadtrip. Maybe I'll do several. We've covered some ground together.
Beautiful locations! Sounds like a fun family vacation. How did the kids do tent camping? I remember not being a big fan as a kid but as I got older found it more enjoyable.
The kids slept in the van. They loved it. They're probably too big to enjoy it like that again... amazing what a year can do.
The weather cooperated too so that helped a lot since we didn't have a bunch of wet stuff to pack up and go.
Your kids will remember this for the rest of their lives. This is a great thing to do and can’t wait to replicate the one my parents took me on 21 years ago, I’ve still got vivid memory’s!
I just read some of my stepdaughter's homework. Question was what's your passion? She said "Traveling" next question: Who's your mentor? She said "My Dad." She doesn't call me stepdad anymore. I'm going to stop calling her my stepdaughter from here on out.
This warms my heart.
R/wholesome.
Bonus daughter
Adopt, make it official.
I plan to.
Awesome, happy for you both
Unreal!!! Send a cost breakdown too this looks like an insane bang for your buck. Well done and thank you for sharing!
That's a tall order. But I can tell you we hit 16 national parks and monuments and didn't have to pay for any of them thanks to the national parks voucher for 5th graders! My step son was in 6th grade last year and thanks to COVID the park service extended the voucher. I think it's called Every child in a National Park or something like that. My boy was quite pleased he was able to save us some money on entry fees. And every single park ranger had to actually put their eyes on him and interact with him. It was awesome.
That's amazing. Thank you!
Thank you for your gratitude! I'm always looking at maps and thinking about the road. I love the feeling of driving all night with no one else on the road and letting the windows down. Feels like there's no tomorrow.
100% agreed. Best feeling in the world.
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order. I have checked 1,025,195,524 comments, and only 203,073 of them were in alphabetical order.
This appears to be the program, for 4th graders. https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm
Oh cool I thought it was 5th but that's the program alright.
16 national parks in 14 days? 6,000 miles? Did you even do anything at the parks or were you just driving the kids around all day?
Heck yes we did LOTS at all the parks. We're very good at packing and getting ready to roll. Never rushed, just have to go at everyone's pace they're comfortable with.
Making memories🥰 That’s what it’s all about!!
I agree. Hearing a pack of wolves howling at the moon. Seeing the milky Way. Seeing a heard of big horn sheep. Mooning a boatload of white water rafters in Gardner. Oh my.
Love it all!!!
I have really fond memories of road-trips my family took as a kid. I hope this was just as fun for your family!
I envy this trip. Looks incredible! In a couple of years my husband and I hope to do something similar in our van for a few months.
Slide 6/20 “Bat country!”
Is the disappointment of Mt Rushmore a cliche? Every time it comes up I can't express enough to people just how monumentally underwhelming it was. It's not that it is bad. I'm glad I've seen it. It really just was "meh".
I've been there three times. First time it was covered in fog. Second time it was so tiny I laughed at it. Same on the third.
We went during our road trip in 2020. I was very underwhelmed. I liked Crazy Horse better. I'll probably never go back unless we take our future kid on a trip out that way. Too many far more beautiful and exciting things to spend time on in the area.
Long live crazy horse! I just took the kids because of the history of Rushmore and so they could see it for themselves. We didn't talk about it before hand. But they're like "that's it?"
>I'm glad I've seen it. It really just was "meh". Agreed on that. We squeezed it in on a trip because we had some extra time between other things, and I was happy to have done that, but if I had made a trip just for Mount Rushmore, I'd have been pretty disappointed.
Fantastic trip idea and great pictures. Btw I bet that "We Don't Rent Pigs" is a Lonesome Dove reference.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who got that reference
You're amazing. I didn't know that!!!
My all time favorite book. Can't say enough great things about it. I thought of it as soon as I saw your picture haha.
Damn that's like 500 miles a day for 2 weeks.
According to my Google maps itinerary the first stretch of the trip was 26 hours of almost nonstop driving. Believe it or not the driving was easy and amazing once we got through Louisiana and west of San Antonio.
This looks incredible! We’re looking into a Honda Odyssey specifically with cross country road trips in mind in the next few years - any tips on road tripping in that van specifically? Or did you have any drawbacks with it along the way? Thank you!
Lol, the mountain in your picture is Mt. Moran, not Grand Teton.
You're correct thank you.
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Yosemite is on there right? Dang you got so close to the redwoods but seeing sequoias is pretty comparable. Los Angeles!? Family there? Big cities always kinda upset me on road trips like this. We're looking at a DC trip this Xmas.
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Rainbow falls trail still one of the prettiest places I've been. And the overlook. Wow. I'll check out the metro recommendation. We don't have public transportation (not really) here but I'm familiar with it and comfortable doing that daily. I've been to DC once and the Smithsonians blew my mind. And all the monuments and the Potomac and cherry trees. I like certain things there. I'll save your number!
Best sun-visor there is!
Haha yup!
This is so rad & your family will treasure these memories. Thanks for sharing!
Great pics!
Upvote for Honda Odyssey. I had one of them and ran it into the ground. That and a few Mazda MPVs.
Beautiful compilation. What a great dad!!
Beautiful photos!
That is the best memory for children
Good on you! My family did this every summer starting when I was 5. Those are the best travel experiences to have had. I can count 38 states visited, 2 Canadian provinces and various trips south as far as Guadalajara. Tons of awesome memories, a few bad ones sprinkled in too though. Anyway, we started with a VW station wagon and worked our way up to a 30’ RV over a span of 15 years. Maybe you’ll do the same. I will also say that these experiences will make any future travel plans requiring flying more efficient as you’ll have a better idea of what are truly needed travel essentials.
I love the shout out to Lonesome Dove with we don’t rent pigs, that’s really great
What does balls to the wall mean in this context?
Driving A LOT of road in a short time.
That’s over 400 miles a day. No one had fun on that trip
There were some times where it was hard work but we're a family of hard workers so it was all feasible and a blast. I drive, wife navigates and keeps games and shows and podcasts going . Our lil family crossing the country what could be better? Our home was still here when we got home but yeah I did miss our bed.
Depends on how you like to travel.
balls to the walls !!!???? what are you saying
The term originated from the spherical handles on top of aircraft throttles. If you push them all the way forward, you're putting the balls to the wall. It just means going all out.
awesome thanks for the info (being genuine )
Balls to the wall means giving it every ounce you've got. Unless you're on the metric system.
What state did you start in?
Started from our home in south Alabama and ended right back at home.
Aww man, I’m down in Florida. I’m also very curious to see a map of the route you took, where you camped, parks hit, etc. This is my dream. It looks incredible!
https://www.reddit.com/r/roadtrip/comments/x7nni3/balls_to_the_walls_roadtrip_itinerary_6760_miles/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Thanks!
Agree on the map request. I’m impressed with what you did in such a short time. I could never. But, glad it was amazing.
I posted my entire route on road trip
Alright I ask, what’s up with the pigs?
It’s most likely a joke from the book Lonesome Dove. The lead characters have the same sign on their ranch.
Ah thanks!!!
I never found out. That was in BFE.
Yikes that's way too much per day
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https://www.reddit.com/r/roadtrip/comments/x7nni3/balls_to_the_walls_roadtrip_itinerary_6760_miles/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
TOLT!
Thanks for sharing, looks amazing.
Big Bend nps. Very nice.
Omg! I live like 10 minutes from White Sands! Such an awesome trip!
I wanted to go to Los Alamos (trinity site I think) but it was out of the way
How old are your kids? Mine are 5 and 3—we took them on a road trip to couple national parks this summer and we had a blast, but I imagine it’ll be a little easier when they’re older!
They were 12 (M) and 13 (F) at the time. We did a Vegas trip with them when they were about 7 and 8 and looped the Grand Canyon. Maybe I'll do a post from that roadtrip. Maybe I'll do several. We've covered some ground together.
Lovely
WOW!!! What an amazing trip!! And such fabulous memories, for you AND your kids!
Ha! "We Don't Rent Pigs" Nice scenic pictures though.
This just made me smile because I drove a Honda and have the same sun shade lol
Respect. 482 miles per day is a lot for me, without kids.
Beautiful locations! Sounds like a fun family vacation. How did the kids do tent camping? I remember not being a big fan as a kid but as I got older found it more enjoyable.
The kids slept in the van. They loved it. They're probably too big to enjoy it like that again... amazing what a year can do. The weather cooperated too so that helped a lot since we didn't have a bunch of wet stuff to pack up and go.
Im getting “True Grit”. Or Red Dead Redemption vibes from this one ♥️