Road Trip -- Advice Needed.

[Bob]

Hello all. My wife and I would like some advice. 

 

We are planning a pretty massive road trip.. 5,000 miles total, there and back. Our trip isn't until 2021 so we have time to fully finance it and plan it properly. In 2020, we are making a drive to Orlando, FL, for 7 days. So here is our experience on the road thus far:

 

2016 - Spur of the moment drive to Minnesota. About 12 hours for a weekend. No big deal.

2017 - Drove to Warwick to see the new HQ. About 10 hours. Easy!

2018 - Drove from Michigan to Phoenix, AZ and back. That was 30+ hours each way. We probably made a mistake by doing that without any hotel stops. We basically switched off driving while the other slept.

2019 - We flew to Phoenix, but drove to LA, Vegas, LA again, back to Phoenix, flew back home.

2020 - Planning to drive to FL. Eighteen hours. Not a big deal. 

2021 - Michigan, to South Dakota (18 hours). From South Dakota to Wyoming (8 hours). From Wyoming to Nevada (13 hours). From Nevada to Death Valley CA (2.5 hours). From CA to home, about 30 hours.

 

We are planning on sleeping in Dakota, Wyoming, and spending two nights in California to make our Nevada visit too. When we are heading home, we are stopping halfway to sleep and finishing the trip home.  

 

So do any of you think the 2021 trip can be done in 2 weeks (14 days)?

 

What say you!

Edited August 18, 2019 by Bob

[pnutts]

Try going thru Custer National Park - don't try petting the buffalo.

 

Wounded Knee is an interesting stop too - shows how man still hasn't learned how to treat their fellow man.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

I hope I understood the theme of the post.

However, I'm not sure on what is the highlight. Is the journey the highlight, or the destination?

If it's the destination, here is our experience. The drivers drive 2 hours maximum each. The other relaxes as much as possible, flat is best to sleep esp, at night.

You've done a 30+ hour drive, so you know how taxing it is. Remember that it only takes one second for a micro-sleep to ruin your trip. Maybe measure out the 60% mark and book a place to stay. Leave 4am. Get there. Sleep. Leave 5am. Arrive day 2. Not too hard on the body...

You don't want the driver to lose concentration even for a second. Drive till you get to your destination. Then you have most time there.

 

IF the journey is the highlight, then relax and enjoy the scenery. Stop often to enjoy the sights. Follow (at least research) all the tourist sign suggestions. This adds spice to the trip.

We once stopped at every waterfall or waterfall detour sign we came across. It was a memorable trip!

Don't forget to get everything checked-over and serviced before you leave. And if towing, repack the wheel bearing grease.

As you have done this before, you no doubt know these tips.

My last trip reminded me - that as I age - my body bounces back more slowly than before!

You'll no doubt have a wonderful trip, as you are planning well in advance.

We're looking forward to seeing some photos...

 

Just Older

 

 

 

 

[Qapla]

You need to start making some type of itinerary now because it will change as time goes on.

 

Two thoughts:

1. If you are going to be in Orlando for 7 days - maybe we can meet in person - I'm only a couple hours north of there
2. Have you considered taking the train?

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Robert, 

I like the trip that you have planned. 

Are you talking about traveling straight to Orando, spending some days there, and then returning right back to AZ?

Or are there other places you are visiting along the way? I have a suggestion, but wanted to verify your plan.

Edited August 18, 2019 by Beggar for the Spirit

[carlos]

Wow, what a nice trip!

 

I can't help you much with times. But last year we flew to Las Vegas and visited from there the Grand Canyon and the Antelope Canyon (maybe you could do that in your trip back home, I'm not sure). Then back to Las Vegas and went through Death Valley, then Yosemite. It was wonderful.

[Bob]

56 minutes ago, Qapla said:

You need to start making some type of itinerary now because it will change as time goes on. 

 

Two thoughts:

1. If you are going to be in Orlando for 7 days - maybe we can meet in person - I'm only a couple hours north of there  
2. Have you considered taking the train? 

Yep, I am getting the itinerary together soon. We are going to Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Hoover Dam, and to Death Valley. We can take suggestions for stuff in between. 

 

Wow, we can meet? Sweet! I am going to send you a PM shorty about the times and dates to expect us, and we can arrange a dinner. We would love to drive to you. 

[Bob]

14 minutes ago, carlos said:

Wow, what a nice trip!

 

I can't help you much with times. But last year we flew to Las Vegas and visited from there the Grand Canyon and the Antelope Canyon (maybe you could do that in your trip back home, I'm not sure). Then back to Las Vegas and went through Death Valley, then Yosemite. It was wonderful.

Yeah. We've seen the Grand Canyon in 2018 and Death Valley this past June. I'll post pics for you when we were in Furnace Creek at the station there. I want to back to the Valley because I was told at night, you can see the stars and stuff like NO WHERE else. We were there during the day, and couldn't remain that night. 

 

Yosemite is a good choice. Thanks for mentioning that. 

[Bob]

1 hour ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

Hi Robert, 

I like the trip that you have planned. 

Are you talking about traveling straight to Orando, spending some days there, and then returning right back to AZ?

Or are there other places you are visiting along the way? I have a suggestion, but wanted to verify your plan.

No prob. No. I live in Michigan so this is my starting point.

 

The Orlando trip is in 2020. The large, 5k mile on is in 2021. So we were looking for places to see in 2021 when we travel from here, the Dakota, to Wyoming, to Vegas, to California. 

[Bob]

1 hour ago, TonyWenz said:

I hope I understood the theme of the post.

However, I'm not sure on what is the highlight. Is the journey the highlight, or the destination?

Its cool. It's all about the Journey, my friend. 

 

 

1 hour ago, TonyWenz said:

If it's the destination, here is our experience. The drivers drive 2 hours maximum each. The other relaxes as much as possible, flat is best to sleep esp, at night.

You've done a 30+ hour drive, so you know how taxing it is. Remember that it only takes one second for a micro-sleep to ruin your trip. Maybe measure out the 60% mark and book a place to stay. Leave 4am. Get there. Sleep. Leave 5am. Arrive day 2. Not too hard on the body...

Wow, you're right on point. Driving to AZ from here, that's exactly what we did after a while. I did several states (about 12 hours) before I was dog tired and let my wife take over. And after that, we swapped every two hours. We typically leave like a 3am so we can have as many hours as possible traffic free. 

 

1 hour ago, TonyWenz said:

You don't want the driver to lose concentration even for a second. Drive till you get to your destination. Then you have most time there.

I have to admit my eyes closed at least once. That's when I pulled over and woke my wife up to drive. We eventually stopped at a safe truck stop and took a 2 hour power nap. That was really refreshing. 

1 hour ago, TonyWenz said:

IF the journey is the highlight, then relax and enjoy the scenery. Stop often to enjoy the sights. Follow (at least research) all the tourist sign suggestions. This adds spice to the trip.

We once stopped at every waterfall or waterfall detour sign we came across. It was a memorable trip!

Don't forget to get everything checked-over and serviced before you leave. And if towing, repack the wheel bearing grease.

As you have done this before, you no doubt know these tips.

My last trip reminded me - that as I age - my body bounces back more slowly than before!

You'll no doubt have a wonderful trip, as you are planning well in advance.

We're looking forward to seeing some photos...

 

Just Older

 

Thanks! Yep, this time we are driving our car. So a little under 2 years give me time to make sure the car is good. 

[pnutts]

2 hours ago, carlos said:

Las Vegas and visited from there the Grand Canyon

The wife and I were in the other Las Vegas ( New Mexico ) on our 2015 trip ( but she was living at the Las Vegas when we were married in 2001 )

and we camped at the Grand Canyon. I wonder if Goliath ( BIGGGG male elk ) is still alive. He was only 30 feet and a picnic table away from me.💩

[Qapla]

My Dad was from southern Colorado so I have seen the night sky from the area below Alamosa. I have also seen it from "Jim's Grove" on Longs Peak. We camped out there ... elevation is somewhere around 11,000'

 

But then, we have a pretty good view of the stars at my house - since we live out in the sticks.

 

[Tortuga]

Let's me know if you decide to go to northern California and visit Napa Valley...

[tekmantwo]

35 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

Let's me know if you decide to go to northern California and visit Napa Valley...

Me too---

[New World Explorer]

7 hours ago, Bob said:

2020 - Planning to drive to FL. Eighteen hours. Not a big deal. 

...stock up on coffee and donuts I say LOL

[pnutts]

9 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Let's me know if you decide to go to northern California and visit Napa Valley.

Was there and it weren't no vacation by that time. Turtle didn't even contact me - not that we knew each other was in the area.🤒

[Bob]

13 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Let's me know if you decide to go to northern California and visit Napa Valley...

Wow, am I raking up the tourism sites! You got it, brother!

Edited August 19, 2019 by Bob

[Tortuga]

8 hours ago, pnutts said:

Was there and it weren't no vacation by that time. Turtle didn't even contact me - not that we knew each other was in the area.🤒

You ended up in my KH and stayed with two brothers I've known for years...

[pnutts]

2 hours ago, Tortuga said:

You ended up in my KH and stayed with two brothers I've known for years.

I thought you didn't go to Sunset hall but the KH Assembly hall complex. 😎

[Tortuga]

8 minutes ago, pnutts said:

I thought you didn't go to Sunset hall but the KH Assembly hall complex. 😎

Nope, Sunset, turquoise walls and all...😁

[pnutts]

19 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Nope, Sunset, turquoise walls and all...😁

Never saw you last year for midweek when I twaz dere.

[Tortuga]

1 minute ago, pnutts said:

Never saw you last year for midweek when I twaz dere.

Our MWM is on Monday night.

[pnutts]

Just now, Tortuga said:

Our MWM is on Monday night.

Told you so - wasn't your congregation.  Bye the way - did they ever tear down the newer unused KH on site?

 

Sam Oh I talked to - knows a brother here in London - however they dissolved the Korean group.

[Tortuga]

1 minute ago, pnutts said:

Told you so - wasn't your congregation.  Bye the way - did they ever tear down the newer unused KH on site?

 

Sam Oh I talked to - knows a brother here in London - however they dissolved the Korean group.

I appreciate Bob being patient with us as we hijack his thread. PM me if you want..