OK, I'm sure there are harder ways, like on foot or a bike. But still, I think that taking the family from Vancouver to Florida and back has to rate up there, especially when you include the fact that we're driving the whole way. In a minivan. For 8 weeks.

I'll endeavour not to suck as bad as I did with my last trip report, which I abandoned partway through. I really have to finish that off, 3 years later.

This is more of a travel log then a trip report, as it is currently happening. I actually don't have much yet as we're just over 48 hours into this adventure, but I wanted to get things started.

So, the plan...

I-5 south from the border, down to San Francisco. Over to Yosemite Park, then on to Vegas for the 2+2 party! From there, Grand Canyon and some touring through Utah/Arizona/New Mexico, and on to see friends in San Antonio. New Orleans next, then to Orlando, where we will spend ~2 weeks - this whole trip was inspired by the kids asking to go to the Harry Potter theme park (part of Universal Studios Florida) when it opened a couple years ago. We'll be going home through Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, Omaha to Mount Rushmore, and then over to Yellowstone. Through Montana up to Eastern British Columbia, where we plan to spend the last week seeing family.

Many of our plans are fairly fluid at this point, aside from our stay in Vegas which is booked from July 4-8 - after that, there are rough plans, but still pretty flexible. Suggestions are welcome!

The combatants, errr, victims, I mean, happy travellers: my wife, who is a teacher hopefully enjoying her summer off, our 12 year old daughter, 10 year old son, and me. I'm not taking the summer off; I'll be doing a few hours of 2+2 work most evenings.

All right, that's a good start for now. I've got some work to do before heading to bed (2:43 AM - ugh), and we have a big day tomorrow. We're in Anderson, CA for the night, and will be in Turlock tomorrow after seeing the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, and a whirlwind tour of San Francisco. Pictures will be coming, I promise - I only took my first ones today (of Mt. Shasta at sunset) as it's really just been a run down the I-5 with some shopping thus far.

Sounds like fun. Looking forward to your updates. 8 week should be enough to take it easy and really enjoy the route. (at least way more than driving from NC shores to Denver CO in 24h my friend and I once did)

Eight weeks, my family, a minivan. I love them all to pieces, but that is a recipe for family violence. Good luck, Bobo.

have fun, sounds like a blast. msg me when you're close to omaha and i'll pm you/tell you some good spots/fun stuff to do here.

Looking forward to reading the updates , hope you all have a great time .

Enjoy my city by the bay, there is a lot to see, any particular highlights you are hitting there?

I don't foresee getting time to post much of a TR until we get into Vegas; until then, all the driving gives me very little time each night for stuff like this. I'll just say for now that we're in Turlock, CA, and will be visiting Yosemite tomorrow, finishing up in Bishop, CA.

Wait, people have fun in Nebraska? I keed.

I've been many times, but it was the first for our kids, and while they both enjoyed it, I think our daughter left her heart in San Francisco.

We came in across the Golden Gate, did Lombard Street and Coit Tower, drove down by Fisherman's Wharf, and then left via Bay Bridge. Pretty quick tour, leaving the kids wanting more, so perhaps that will be a future trip.

Updates?

yea updates, stop in estevan on your way back lol

Worst

"ongoing"

trip report

ever.

Sorry everyone, this was a great concept in my mind, but just never worked that well in reality. Days went by so quick, by the time we would get into a hotel, get kids to bed, book the next hotel, and do some work, there was no way I was going to be posting trip reports. It's a shame, as I was looking forward to getting feedback and ideas as we travelled. Ah well, now it'll be a "regular" trip report. We're back in BC, although not home for another few days, so I'll have lots of time to post. Just downloaded pics to my laptop, and hope to start on this tonight, or tomorrow at the latest.