You would think that after our marathon road trip last weekend I would just want to relax. But no...I can't stand when I get like this. I think maybe the trip to Texas just renewed the wanderlust that I generally manage to keep under wraps.
And, I haven't seen my 3 older kids for over a week now, and I probably won't see them until at least Monday. I'm going nuts without them here for this long.
I've been working on plans for our road trip to PA later this summer, and I think that's adding fuel to the fire. I want to get everything finalized and work out all of the financial stuff and know that 100% for sure we are going. There are a few potential hiccups, but even if they materialize, I can work around them.
I just want to be on the road. If things go as planned, we'll be leaving here on July 21. Say a few prayers, send happy thoughts, do whatever it is that you do to help us get this planned. I haven't been home for 2 years now, and it's been that long since I've seen my parents (which means it's been that long since my kids have seen their grandparents). We have plans to do a few other things along the way, including spending a day or two in Washington, DC and a few days in the town where I grew up, amongst other fun stuff.
I want to go. Now.
THEN JUST PACK UP AND GO. THERE HAS TO BE A REASON YOU FEEL THAT STRONG ABOUT GETTING THERE. GO GIRL GO.
ReplyDeleteI know, Granny. I just have to get the money together - that's part of the reason that we're waiting so late in the summer to go, so that I have time to scrape together my pennies.
ReplyDeleteAnd after talking to my sister today, I know that I really need to get out there to see my parents. I have to make this work, or I have a feeling that I'm going to regret it. =/
Amy... you already know my thoughts about it. :) You will be happy that you went. D.C. is a great choice - the zoo is free. You can drive to Shady Grove (the most northern stop on the metro) and for $5 a person each of you can ride the metro all day long. it makes for a really easy day trip. the metro will take you to the zoo or to all of the monuments .. etc. Also - what about Hershey Park? I can look into getting you some discount tickets - they have them everywhere around here. um..... where (aprox) - I'm not going to stalk you - in PA are you headed? I'm the queen of free things to do :)
ReplyDeleteKristen
LOL Everyone's going to know as I blog about it. Our plan for the PA portion of the trip is to stay in Dillsburg for a few days (that's home to me) and visit with friends, and then Altoona for a few days (that's where Mom and Dad are). Our biggest expenses other than gas at this point are going to be a hotel around DC for a couple of days and a hotel around Indianapolis on the way back. Out of the 2 weeks, we only have 3, maybe 4 nights with no place to stay, believe it or not!
ReplyDeleteHershey Park could be a definite possibility! I haven't been there in FOREVER. My parents were never big into the amusement park scene so we just didn't go very often.
I absolutely love DC - it is one of my favorite places in the world, and there is so much free stuff there. I can't wait to take the kids to the Smithsonian, and the zoo, and to just walk around the monuments. I think it'll be absolutely amazing for them.
Money, money, money - it always boils down to money, doesn't it? LOL
We're hoping to make it to DC this summer, too. I've never been, which is a shame, since I live so (relatively) close.
ReplyDeleteAs for the wanderlust... I get it too. Usually I find myself being transported in a book, since actually going's not an option for me.
DC is wonderful! I couldn't even tell you how many times I've been there, but I just love it. And so much of the stuff there is free! I really really want to get the kids there - one of the things on tonight's to-do list is to go over the finances again and see where we are on that, then we can start firming up plans!
ReplyDeleteI'm still antsy and ready to go somewhere, but I have to control it so that I don't spend all of our travel money ahead of time! LOL I think we're going to go to a tiny little local lake tomorrow just to get my water fix! ;)
So funny Amy, I am just getting ready to post and I see a post came in from YOU on MY blog! great minds,hm??
ReplyDeleteWhat do you sell at craft shows?? You need to set up a paypal account so we can "buy" from you off your blog! I WANT you to get to see your folks (and all the other fun things, but after this year, I can tell you without a doubt, DON'T put it off! Especially if you feel the urge, you NEED to get the kids there to see your parents...you will never have regrets that way.
Maybe you can put your energy into "crafting" to help raise the money and put off the "wanderlust" a bit...don't do like me and keep moving (especially with the kids so little! lol I am the QUEEN of moving!)
have a great night..
mare
LOL Definitely great minds!
ReplyDeleteMy main thing that I sell is soap - I have a ton of it and it sells really well, but I haven't done any shows since November so it's all still sitting here. I also sell canned stuff in season (apple butter, applesauce, sand plum jelly, pear butter....) and I do some quilting. So, a little bit of everything.
And I actually do have a paypal account... ;)
I am going to make this trip happen, one way or another. It might be tight, and there might not be a lot of money to spend along the way, but having free places to stay for the majority of it definitely helps matters a lot!!
I am not moving again for another 2 years. I have a plan as far as that goes - I didn't plan to move this last time, but we lost the house because of the last divorce, so we didn't have much of a choice in the matter. :( It's better in the long run, because now I don't have to worry about fixing stuff in the house if it breaks - that's what I have a landlord for! ;)
Amy - Dillsburg? My husband grew up there! Sometimes it is a small world. How old are your kids? Look for a hole in the wall hotel outside of DC maybe along the metro line. it will save you tons$$. The chocolate factory is free - but have your parents get tickets at Giant in Dillsburg - I think they are cheaper there. I will keep thinking :)
ReplyDeleteOh - you could go to Gettysburg. Do you guys have bikes? are you bringing them? Gettysburg is AWESOME to bike.
ReplyDeleteNo way! How old is he? I wonder if I know him....that's too funny!!! I figure that any hotels that we stay in will be dives - I'm not picky, as long as they have beds and a shower. I don't need the Marriott to make me happy! And mmmmmmmmm chocolate factory....
ReplyDeleteWe could actually do Gettysburg - one of my sisters lives in York Springs and I'm sure that we'll be seeing her at some point. Not bringing any bikes though - not enough room in the van!
Right now my kids are 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. By the time we get there, they'll be 4, 5, 7, 10, and 11. LOL