DH gets more than three weeks a year for vacation (four if you count "personal" days). So, this will be a very long, but fun adventure. A few things to know about our family. We homeschool. So, we are pretty flexible on when to take our vacations. This will definitely be during a non-peak season. Our children LOVE roadtrips. Getting there is sometimes half the fun. They are NOT prone to whining while in the car. (Yes, we've been very lucky.) We've driven straight from Dallas, TX to Orlando, FL (19 + hours) without stopping (except for gas, food and bathroom breaks.). Also, we recently drove from TX to Northern VA in a day and half. With that said (written) . . . On this trip, I DO want lots of stops along the way to let the kids experience our great country.
Next year, our children will be DS9, DD7 and DS4 for our trip. We don't want to always wait until the kids get older for all our trips. (We ARE waiting for our Europe trip though. Since we all got our passports for a cruise last year, I want to use them
outside of the Caribbean. But, we are holding off. Even though I'm itching to go now. Maybe by the time we go, the dollar will be stronger towards the Euro.) The older kids are getting closer and closer to not wanting to be around Mom and Dad on vacation anymore.
Kids grow up way too fast these days. It's scary. DS8 was 2 when we went to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas last time and still talks about it. So, we have to plan that in somewhere. Mind you, we aren't dragging the kids through the casinos while we gamble. We like to take in the ambiance and maybe take in a show. Also, the shopping is amazing. DD5 is my little shopping companion. She's a girly girl. I can only image how she will be next year. I agree that the Grand Canyon isn't a whole day activity. However, I may want to surprise them with a helicopter or airplane tour of the Canyon. Those always look neat on the travel shows. We're creating our own real-life "On the Road with the Taylor's". (I did apply for a Travel Channel show and was called by a Producer. However, I haven't heard anymore about it though.) The kids are still too little for the water rapids tours. My Dad did that a few years ago and said it was fun. Okay, I stated it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. That may change.
We're going on another once-in-a-lifetime trip to WDW in a few weeks. Also, those Disney cruises are addictive.
(Can't visit The Grand Canyon and not reference The Brady Bunch episode. Okay, that ages me. But, I was watching the re-runs when I was a kiddo.
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I figured San Diego would be a couple of days trip. DH was there a few month back on business and "scoped" it out for us.
We have a Sea World in TX (San Antonio). So, we are 50/50 whether to go while in San Diego. We do have two great local zoos (Fort Worth and Dallas). But, we wanted to take the kids to the "world-famous" San Diego Zoo. Polar bears alone would get DD5 there. She loves nature programs with polar bears and penguins. That is until a seal eats a penguin. Some of those nature programs can be gruesome.
Thanks for the Sequoia mention. I saw that on the map when I was looking for a CA route to DLR. That might make a better pit-stop than going all the way to Redwood Nat'l Forest. This is all still in the very beginning stages of planning. So, any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
We definitely have to plan in some beach days. We love the ocean. However, I read it is VERY cold. So, maybe we can play on the beach and find a hotel with a nice pool.
Any nice hotels near the beach in SD recommendations? I honestly take 0% advice from the ones posted on the travel sites, because most are posted from the hotel/company. That is why you usually have lots of 4 stars and then a 1 and 2 star. I take more stock in "real" person reviews.
I will compile all the great information on here and come back with a "modified" itinerary.
Jennifer
BTW - Did I mention I can get wordy???? Sorry my posts are so long. You should meet me in person. It's the Italian in me.