I think this road-trip business had me momentarially out of my mind. Leave? By car? With kids? For most of a month?!
But with your wonderful suggestions and a few nights staring at a map I made a decision that feels so right. We're headed to North Carolina!
I broke the drive down into approximately four-hour days which seem managable for the kids. It'll give us plenty of stops and time to explore before we drive on once more. We're aiming for Asheville, NC just in time for a kid-friendly three day music and arts festival (Two words: Indigo Girls).Because of the music festival we bumped the trip up to October, so in two short weeks we'll be on the road.
Bedtime and food norms will be suspended as we head down the road. I will learn to go with the flow and be in the moment and not be in charge of our journey. The journey will be in charge of itself.
After the festival we'll head to the Outer Banks for a week of camping and exploring the ocean, then head home with some detours through the mountains.
As for where we'll stay, I'm staying open and flexible. I was introduced to CouchSurfing which looks promising so I signed up right away. (We have often hosted travelers who wander through our town but CouchSurfing is a more offical version of this friendlyness.) I and have already connected with an amazing-sounding family who will host us for a night in Indiana and am hoping for a place to rest in or somewhere near Peoria or Chicago, IL Berea, KY, and Raleigh, NC.
One thing that made my weekend bright were the many offers for a place to rest or share a meal along our journey from all of you. Thank you for your generousity! I'm looking over the offers to see who lies between here and the ocean, and I hope to be in touch with some of you soon.
That’s a beautiful freedom! I hope you really enjoy this time away.
Btw, the couch-surfing link isn’t working, but I googled it – what a cool idea!
Thanks Madcap. I fixed that link!
Rachel
Let us know if we can be of any help in Crystal Lake, IL!
I live in South Carolina, and can tell you that you’ve made a great choice. The Asheville area is beautiful, and the NC mountains will be dreamy at that time of year. I look forward to hearing your impressions.
Your trip idea sounds awesome! Do you have a cd player in your car? It might be fun to send you some cool mix-cds for the ride!
Kate,
Thanks for the offer! I might just take you up on it. Ill send a private message shortly. Thanks so much!
Rachel
Cassandra,
We DO have a cd player. Music would rock (pardon the pun). 🙂
What fun! Rachel
if the timing is right, you would be more than welcome to stay with us in athens, oh! it’s the more northern route, taking you through WV and a bit of Virginia (i think? we have family that sometimes goes this way from durham, on their way to wisconsin)…actually, ha, this is funny – teo spalatin is coming at some point late october or early november! small world. let us know!
we’re in Wilmette, IL, on your route depending on which way you go. (We passed through here once on an NC –> WI trip.) You are more than welcome to spend a night here, as long as no one is allergic to doggies 🙂
Asheville, NC is truly gorgeous. If I wasn’t so bogged down with school (and a kidney infection) at the moment I would head straight down the Blue Ridge Parkway myself to glimpse the coming change in foliage. If you ever have designs on being near Philadelphia, I would love to host you! Have a wonderful journey.
Hi Rachel, I’m excited for you! We live in Durham, NC (very close to Raleigh and also an awesome city to visit) and we would love to host you!!! 🙂
If you head the Peoria route, Bloomington/Normal on the way to Indiana has a great childrens museum and we have a great food coop (common ground) right off 74 in Urbana IL. Have a wonderful trip! Sounds like you have plenty of Illinois offers for rests.
How we are so alike. In July my partner and I went to Asheville then went to the outer banks and camped on the beach with our one year old. When i was in college though my roommate and I went on a week long couchsurfing trip to asheville. It’s amazing!!! Have fun.
May I suggest geocaching along the way…you’d need a gps but might be worth the investment…We traveled to SC earlier this year and it was a great way to break up the trip as long as you know what route you’re taking…it can sometimes involve some hiking but usually very little-enough to stretch out those legs! My kid loves looking for the treasures! more info can be found at geocaching.com
JoMama,
I cant even believe what an awesome suggestion this is. I have been thinking about doing it with our kids but havent yet. THANKS for the great idea!
Rachel
I am so jealous. What an awesome thing to do! I’d love to do things like this in the future. We are talking about buying a homestead, which would certainly make just leaving with little notice a bit more difficult, but still doable. Geocaching is an awesome suggestion.
Sounds like a wonderful plan! Happy road tripping.
i hope you’re having fun!! there’s nothing better than a road trip- we did 8,000 miles (and 50 relatives!!) in 3 months with a baby, a 3 y.o, and 6 y.o. We had the same 4 hour drive per day limit. It was really great! (on my blog there is a Road Trip 2008 category if you’re interested) we always wanted to go to Asheville (my man was there pre-me and pre-kids) but it hasn’t worked out. happy trails!!