We just got back from a 15 day road trip with a 3 and 5 year old that covered 4000 miles, 4 National parks and 7 states! We crossed the continental divide 10 times and stayed at 10 different places. Here is what I learned:
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Ben and Katie at Double Arch.
Only bring one suitcase of clothes! We brought three and the packing and re-packing of all the superfluous clothes was a headache every time we moved to a new location.
- The 40 oz. Hydroflask with a straw top was the best investment in this trip. Picture freezing cold water the whole day in the 100 degree heat! (thank you REI dividends)
- Be careful what toys you bring – because all toys become projectile items once you hit around 6 hours in the car.
- The kid’s kindle fires with headphones are miraculous!
- Sleeping in hotels with kids is awful! Plain and simple….
- GO to the Grand Tetons! They are majestic and beautiful – don’t go to Yellowstone without getting yourself down to the Tetons!
- Jackson, WY is an amazing city – we could have stayed there forever!
- There are literally no cities in Eastern Wyoming. We entered in from Colorado and it tooks us nearly 3 hours to find somewhere to stop for lunch.
- But you can go 90+ in Wyoming. Thank God for fast speed limits!
- Take the back highways in Montana you won’t regret it!
- Cody, WY has one heck of a firework display for the fourth and a cute parade!
- Burger King is by far the worst fast food restaurant in the world – avoid at all costs!
- Thank God for Subway!
- And once you get East of Washington always ask for your salad dressing on the s
The family at Jackson Lake Lodge overlooking the Grand Tetons!
ide!
- Indoor hotel pools are disgusting cesspools of bacteria…
- Always stay in a hotel that offers breakfast – it will save you so much pain when the hangries strike.
- When camping at 8000 feet elevation – make sure to bring extra blankets. Brrrrrrr!
- There are a lot of cool dinosaur bones in Utah and the Natural history Museum in Salt Lake is really awesome.
- And finally – Spotify rules as it allows hours of music enjoyment without all the pre-planning! So when the mood strikes for Gordon Lightfoot – you have it!
You know we might even do this again sometime! But it may be awhile.