While Bob did most of the actual reporting on the blog, I did have input. I regularly proofed it before he posted it, and reminded him of things he left out. (I also chided him for being a little to wordy, but think everyone else enjoyed it).
This was a trip of a lifetime. We conceived the idea about a year and a half prior to actually starting. I think I originally did the "wouldn't it be fun to do a four corners trip?", but once the idea was out, Bob ran with it. It is unbelievable how organized he was. He actually had each days mileage on a spread sheet, along with where we were likely to stop for the night, etc. We varied very little from the original plan, for the first three quarters of the trip.
The trip itself really was a great adventure. We saw much more than I had envisioned, and visited a lot of friends and family. The only negative there was not having enough time to see many of the things we wanted to see. We could have spent a week in Philadelphia, and three or four days in Charleston and at least another day in the Orlando area with my cousin Melodye. There were also many things we did not see, simply because they were not in the plan, and we did not have time.
I think my favorite part of the trip was seeing old friends and family. I would have loved to spend more time with everyone. You cannot really catch up with only a day, (or half a day in some cases). I know we will see everyone again at some time or other, (we already have some plans for the next year or so), but really regret the lack of time there.
On the other hand, being away from home for over two months was a trial for me. I think six weeks max, for any other trip where we drive. I really got tired of being a tourist by about the time we got to New Orleans, and after that we pretty much hurried the trip. We did only cut about three days off the original plan, but I don't see how we could have done all we did in any shorter period of time.
Maybe we were just a little too ambitious about what we could comfortably do in two months. Bob did all the driving, and I know he was worn out by about Tucson. However, we are very glad we had the opportunity to do this trip, and would recommend it to anyone, if possibly on a different schedule. I am glad that you all were able to go along with us on the blog.
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Mrs. Ladd, did your husband do all the driving because? he wanted to? you don't like to or can't drive(my mother-in-law doesn't drive AT ALL)? or simply because. Do you think the 'close' quarters had anything to do with the time frame & being ready to return home?
ReplyDeleteWhen my father retired from the military we traveled for about 6 mo. leaving from Charleston, SC & ended up by living in Spokane, WA. I was only about 5 so I only remember bits & pieces. And just before my mother & I moved from WA, she had 3 wks vaca that she took all @ once, driving just in a car we drove from Spokane to OH where she was from & we have many relatives. That was pretty interesting.
Thanks again for sharing & letting us live vicariously through you.
(now that your husband is retired, maybe he should think of a new career in travel planning. Sounds like he might be good at it.)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteBob did all the driving because I refused to. I do drive, but don't like to. When we originally started planning this trip we were going to take a car which gets good milage, and motel it. Bob decided he wanted to take the trailer instead. I said "OK, but I am not driving that big rig pulling the trailer. I have helped him drive long distance pulling a trailer in the past, and I was a nervous wreck. The big trucks cause the trailer to weave all over, and you feel like you are fighting it all the time. I did feel a little guilty, but figured we were safer without me driving.
Actually, I was very surprised that we got along so well, being shut up together for two months. We had a few little tiffs(more snapping at each other). We have both always worked and had downtime from each other, so I thought so much together time would be a trial. I guess you don't stay married for 44 years, if you can't get along.
I think I simply got homesick after about six weeks. A lot was going on with my family here, so I felt I was needed (not so much, they made it without me). On top of that I was having some back problems, and just plain got tired. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed sharing this with us.