As the temperatures cool, a fluke I am sure, and the days are gettling shorter I thought I would share with you our summer family road trips from VA. There was a theme of fishing this year too. Everywhere we went we brought out the kids rods.
First what do you think is a reasonable road trip with three children, 4, 6 9 hours? If you look at a map of our adventures, and my mileage on my car, we traveled from Fla to upstate NY and back and then equivalent to back to NY. In about a months time my kids traveled over 44 hours in the car. That was really only 4 fill ups at the gas station and a lot of PB & J sandwiches! My husband does not like to stop when he is on a road trip. I must say we definitely make good time and maybe that is why the kids don’t complain as much.
I was so proud of my children for not fighting too much and getting by with really only about 1 movie per travel segment. The dog was even better, she accompanied us for all but one trip. Was not sure how awful it would be traveling with pets but she was probably even a little better than the kids?
Our first stop was to Upstate NY to celebrate 4th of July and more importantly my mother in law’s 70th birthday. (8 1/2 – 9 hours)
Of course we had to hit Niagara falls. First time for the kids and I think they were amazed.
Also hit the kids first amusement park other than Disney, Darien Lake. No lines or crowds just a thunderstorm but wow I am getting too old for some of these rides. My head kept spinning for 2 days.
After a few days home we headed down to my “happy place” Sea Island Georgia and the Cloister. I will never say no to this 8 hour road trip. It seems like everyone gets along and has something to do at this resort location. The service and rooms were amazing this trip. We only had two days but we made the most of it. Kids swam, played at the beach, tie tyed t-shirts and fished off their dock this trip. Best part of this hotel you really don’t have to lift a finger maybe that is why I love it so much!! We did have a kitchen in our room so we made breakfast and lunch it was worth it!
We then headed about 1 1/2 hours south to Amelia Island, Florida where my husband had a conference at the Ritz Carlton. I know the kids are spoiled when it comes to hotels. The Ritz has many family friendly activities including a daily shark teeth hunt. Makes me a little weary to go into the water with all the teeth we find. They get to make necklaces out of their finds which makes for a free souvenir! They also have a game room for the rainy or just need to get out of the sun moments.
Loved locating all the pirates in the cute downtown area.
The kids were home and went to a camp where they learned to rock climb, kayak and ride a zip line. Tough summer so far but I like to keep them physically active.
Of course in between all these road trips the kids hit their favorite fishing hole and found a great number of bass. Here is a pic of my son’s first real kiss!!
0ur final road trip was a mere 4 hour trip down to Figure 8 island in North Carolina. The kids commented even before we left “this is a short one, no biggie”.
Here are heart rates go down and the kids are given freedoms to ride their bike or go fishing on the back dock. The dog learned how to swim here too.
I am waiting on pics from a neighbor of the other great excursions that week on the island. Mom and Dad took a Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP) lesson. and the kids took their first surf lessons. Everyone was successful! We even accidentally found a demonstration on the beach of loggerhead turtles being hatched, quite a site if you have never seen this.
Despite a little rain that week no one wanted to come home. Some relief to know the only car trips will be to school and back for a while, with the kids at least….
Also if you are taking that road trip that requires you to cook when you get there check out these tried and true recipes from fellow bloggers.
Thanks to Smiley360 for encouraging us to write about our summer as too many times they are just memories and not written down. Smiley360 is a great place to try out new products. If you are not already a member check it out.
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lots of travelling! I have done 12 hours plus many times with four kids. Back when it was just three I would feed them supper, and take off driving. I did it alone! My kids love to travel!
This looks like a great summer road trip! I would love to go to Niagra Falls. Plus, seeing turtles hatch? That would be very cool in person. I know my 4 year old would love it!
Thanks for sharing. I have not heard of Smiley360. I will have to check it out.
What a trip! HOw awesome! Looks like you had some great pictures!
It looks like you had some priceless adventures this summer! What great photos! I’m missing summer already!
What an amazing journey! My kid’s max time they can remain happy in a car is about 4 hours. So if we have trips longer than that, we usually break them up into different days, or travel at night…but that’s only if the husband is there to drive, cause I am not a night driver..he is.
Wow, that’s quite a road trip! Looks like lots of fun. Love Niagara!
You are a brave woman, my kids drive me batty if we have to be in the car for longer than hour. It’s like a radar kicks in saying “I must aggravate my siblings now!” LOL
It sounds like you had a lot of fun though! : )