I love road trips. Always have. The planning and packing of the car, scoping out new places along the way to explore, finding good local spots along the way to eat – it's almost more exciting to me than the destination itself.
My love for the road changed slightly when Elena came along. I still grew excited as each trip approached, but definitely felt the pressure to plan accordingly versus just throwing a few things in the car and taking off. I made my first trek to Indy from Nashville by myself with Elena when she was just 3 months old. Together we've driven back and forth to Nashville at least 20 times, to each of the Carolinas, to Cleveland, even to Houston. We got around.
Something about adding another kid into the mix threw off my game, though. Other than a few trips to Nashville and Ohio with the entire family, Eli has spent most of his life motoring around Indy. I did drive both kids down to the Florida Panhandle nearly two years ago, but my mom was my co-pilot. It was hellacious enough that I have blocked large portions of the trip from my memory. Let's just say there were lots of tears, and not all of them belonged to the children.
The kid is nearly three now, though, and it's time. Time for me to put on my big girl panties and get those kids in the car and out of the Midwest. I'll do it, and I'll share every gory detail for your reading pleasure, but I need your help. In less than 2 weeks, I'll be packing up the car for a 14-hour road trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We'll be spending a week at the beach with my family, but from Point A to Point B it will be just me and the kids. Mike will be staying behind, prepping the padded room for my return. If you love me, if you love this blog and want me to return with my sanity so I can keep writing, help me prepare for this trip. Specifically:
1. What To Do With The Children: I have the usual – one DVD player, a Nintendo DSi and iPod for Elena, books and assorted crappy toys collected from fast food chains. Elena is pretty easy, but how do I keep Eli entertained for long stretches at a time? I'm looking for toddler-friendly activities that will keep his hands busy. My friend Aimee suggested I just put Jay-Z's "Young Forever" on repeat for the guy. It probably would keep him happy for at least 6 hours, but I would definitely need that padded room upon return.
2. Where To Eat Along The Way: I can muster the energy to get through nearly any situation if I know there's good food at the end. I'll be driving through Cincinnati, Lexington KY, Charleston WV, and Richmond VA. If I knew there was a chance of Jamie Oliver still wandering around Huntington, WV, that would get me through at least an hour of sibling squabbles.
3. Recommendations On Where To Stay: I'm hoping to make it somewhere between Charleston, WV and Richmond, VA without leaving one of the kids on the side of the road. If you've been in the area and you know of a decent place with a pool, or if you have good ideas of how to find the best place to stay, I'd love you forever.
Here's to falling in love with road trips all over again. Or to coming home from road trips in one piece, without inflicting permanent psychological damage to your offspring. Anything in between would be okay with me.
The year Meg was nearly three we flew to FL, but things that kept her entertained were favorite and new books, color wonder coloring books, and learning how to chew gum ( very entertaining & she swallowed too much, but she was happy)! We did the OBX trek a year earlier, and I won’t lie, it wasn’t always pretty. My family’s all about staying at the Holiday Inn Express for the free breakfast, and many of them do have pools. Once you get to OBX, it will all be worth it— such an amazing place! Have fun!
(last summer’s trip to Boston we played te Black Eye Peas the entire way- it’s got a good beat, and enevitavbly, one of the kids would fall asleep)
Yay– The outer banks are awesome! It’ll be totally worth the road trip! When is your journey? If timing works out we’d love to grab a bite with ya (we’re in Richmond). Heck, you’re welcome to crash here if you’d like (though my babe hasn’t acquired the sleeping through the night skills so it may not be too restful).
Fourteen hours of Yo Gabba Gabba episodes on your iPhone…?
I forgot about the Color Wonder books – Ill definitely add that to the list. Id never thought of gum, either! Thanks for the great ideas, Michelle.
I totally forgot you guys were in Richmond! Id love to see you if it works out. Youre so kind to offer us a place to stay. If youre thinking of having more kids, though, we should probably stay at a hotel. Seeing my two together tends to have that effect on people.
Which makes me think . . . Jay-Z shouldtotallybe a guest on Yo Gabba Gabba.
Have fun in OBX! Here are some things that have worked for us: sticker books, playdough, pipe cleaners, tape (clear and colored), personalized coloring books (Tim made them using the pencil sketch filter in Picnik or in Photoshop on our photos – check out Tim here), and the oldie but goodie, the license plate game. Also, I’ve heard Colorforms suggested for little hands on long trips. As for places to eat, try chowhound.com
When Grant was two we left for FL at his naptime. He was already asking to “go home” at Cool Springs. He finally fell asleep 30 minutes before we got to the beach!!!! Oh. The. Joy.
Get yourself some ear plugs and put the pedal to the metal.
When he was three I got a bunch of toys at the dollar store and started pulling them out as he got bored. He quickly caught on though and wanted the whole bag at one time so it didn’t work as well as I had planned. Thank God for DVD players.
Good luck! I can’t wait to hear about this one….
These are pretty specific, but if you can find them, they’re useful:
1. We have a travel memory game made by Melissa & Doug. Instead of cards, all the pictures are hidden behind little wooden, hinged doors. My four-year-old can play the actual game, and my toddler enjoys looking behind the doors at the pictures.
2. Someone gave us a lap chalkboard as a gift. Kind of messy, but no stains!
3. Umm. Hmm. Car bingo?
I don’t have a lot of specific advice for pit stops, but I will admit to favoring Ye Olde Cracker Barrel. Better than fast food and plenty to play with inside.
Good luck. You are a brave woman.
Jenn, thanks so much! There must be a couple of hours worth of ideas right here! Will definitely print out the coloring pages on Picnik. And the tape idea is genius! My kids love nothing more than using up an entire cartridge of tape – never thought of using it in the car.
Angie
I think Ive seen that Melissa Doug toy before. Sounds perfect! Yes, Ye Olde Cracker Barrel is a good choice. Ive changed many a diaper in a Cracker Barrel bathroom. Not sure if Im brave or just crazy. Well see!
Angie