8.08.2018

big plans



So, we bought a van.  We've got big plans to take 6 weeks and drive across the country next summer and we were looking at renting a van or the smallest of RVs.  We were pretty shocked at how much it would cost to do so, and so weighed it all out and decided if the right thing came along, we'd buy it.  Papa's car will need to be replaced soon and surprisingly, the van gets about the same gas mileage as his little hatchback, so......... here we are.  The proud owners of a vehicle that looks kind of like a minivan, a cargo van and a wagon all got together and made a shiny silver baby.

We've got plans to remove 3 of the 4 rear seats and build a platform that will hold an air mattress some evenings, with room for storage below.  We are having all sorts of fun planning everything from our route to what gadgets to buy to how best to make an awning/mosquito netting, and everything in between.  Mike and I did a 6 week cross country tour the summer of 1999 (we were practically babies!) and I know we'll hit up several of the same places, but we also want to see plenty of other things, too.  We know we want to spend a fair amount of time in the four corners states, California, the pacific northwest (including BC), and in the general proximity of Yellowstone.  Also Badlands.  Maybe Great Lakes area (we've done Isle Royale and it was incredible)....... ah! we are going to run through those 6 weeks fast!  I'd love (LOVE) any and all recommendations that you might have for places not to be missed.  We are primarily looking to see National and State Parks (the little one will be a rising 4th grader next summer so we are looking to take advantage of the "Every Kid in a Park" program, which gives 4th graders and their families free access to federal lands), but we would love to know about great little towns and such along the way as well.  So- what are your favorite places in this beautiful country of ours?




12 comments:

  1. Glacier National Park is definitely a must-see. We live in Montana, about 3 hours away, and go every year. It's SUCH a beautiful place.

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    1. YES! definitely. Mike and I went to Glacier on our trip years ago and it is definitely a spot we want to travel back to- we've been wondering about checking out the Canadian side of things up there- any experience with that? I know it's a huge park, and we only spent two days there last time, so we don't know it well. I'd love to know if you have favorite trails, etc. within the park. Thanks!

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    2. We've been spending 2 weeks hiking in Glacier for the past few summers (except this summer because I'm 9 mo. pregnant!) so I have plenty of recommendations about hikes. I would need to know how far you like to hike, though. I wouldn't bother with checking out Waterton - the Canadian side of the park. There's so much to do and see in Glacier without having to bother with passports, border crossings and such. Also, I have some really cool places to check out in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. You can email me if you wish at kjramstack at yahoo dot com.

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    3. Congratulations, Kelly! Yeah, backpacking 9 months pregnant....... maybe not. Not for two weeks for sure! I'm excited to get your recommendations for trails in Glacier (and for the UP area- a friend of ours goes up there often and I've been trying to take notes after her trips!)- I will email you soon, thanks so much!

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  2. How exciting so much to look forward to.

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  3. Amanda, Several years ago, we took our nephew and kids to California following Old Route 66 and did lots of the things along the way. The kids liked it so much, that we took the Old Route the north way a few years later.
    Our baby came thru heart surgery very well on Tuesday. Thank you.

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    1. Fun!

      I'm so glad to hear that everything went well with your granddaughter's surgery!

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  4. what a trip!! i can't wait to read about it! man, there are so many incredible places in the PNW, i don't even know where to start... our place? ;)

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    1. sounds good to me!

      we are so looking forward to taking some ferries out to some of the islands north of Vancouver. And going back to Olympic. And the San Juan Islands. And checking out the Cascades. And Crater Lake. And we've never been to Portland so we'll have to check that out........

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  5. I haven't been personally but my daughter loves the Little House on the Prairie series and we're planning to go visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead at some point. You can spend the night in a conestoga wagon! It's in South Dakota.

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    1. yes!! we've read the series with Claire twice over the years and she loves listening to the audio books- I'd forgotten about all of the places from the books and Laura's life that you can go and visit- thanks for the reminder!

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thanks for taking the time to read and comment~