How Did We Get Here?

The trip planning for Big Trip 4 started in 2007. Not long after the successful completion of Big Trip 3.

By my calendar that would put Big Trip 5 around 2019. And it would include just Kathy and me.

Kathy and I were passionate about these trips and we were happy to keep dragging Cassie and Trevor along. High school was looming for Cassie as she would be entering 8th grade in the fall and we figured number 4 would probably be it until the kids were out of college and on their own.

We did not get the opportunity to go on that last hurrah with Cassie and Trevor. On July 13, 2008 we welcomed Ashley into the world. She was a beautiful baby and we love her very much. But with a new baby in the house it was clear we would be in no position to go on a Big Trip for many years.

In the years that followed Ashley’s arrival, we went on many smaller road trips – Seattle, San Francisco, Texas. But we have not taken a full fledged cross country Big Trip with Ashley.

Trevor and Cassie are now out on their own. They completed college and have started careers and they have all the makings of being successful. Ashley will be 11 soon and she is smart and funny and talented and so much fun.

We have decided this is the year. Back on the road in a 2000 Mazda MPV. With a tent in the back and a storage unit bolted to the roof rack, we are ready to again discover the beauty and wonder and history and fun that is America.

As we start the planning, we marvel at how much has changed since 2007. Back then our only technology was a laptop and two Nintendo Gameboys. WiFi was almost impossible to find. Navigation was done with Streets & Trips and a GPS dongle that plugged into the USB port.

Now we will have smart phones and tablets, Netflix and YouTube, and a Nintendo Switch. All the planning is through Google Maps. This may sound funny, but we miss the old Streets & Trips.

Even though we have done three of these Big Trips in the past, we are still excited and a little nervous. We are definitely out of practice. But I know once the planning is done and the van is packed and we hit the road, all will be good in the world.