So now that gasoline costs even higher (!!) we decided that a road trip was in order. Crazy, I know, but with our oldest son turning 15 and getting his learner's permit soon, next year he may want to have a part-time job instead of traveling for 3+ weeks. So if we will be paying a lot for gas, we will pay little for lodging....there'll be lots of camping.
The Plan: Paul and the boys will begin the road trip and spend the first night in a Comfort Inn near Little Rock, Arkansas. The drive to Arkansas will take about 8.5 hours. Michele has to stay behind and work. At night she will clean the refrigerator. Don't laugh--it is a ritual she does every summer when the guys take off. Once the fridge is cleaned and the house in order she gets to plant herself every night in front of the TV watching whatever she wants to. That and watching the rest of Dexter on Netflix.
So Keegan gets to spend his 15th birthday in a Comfort Inn in Arkansas. Two years ago he spent his 13th birthday in St. Louis. That is what happens when your birthday is June 1st and you dad is a teacher who likes summer road trips.
The second night they'll be camping by a lake near Amarillo, Texas. There'll be hotel stays in between every two or three nights of camping and hopefully will be able to post updates and photos.
Michele will join the guys via plane on their day 8. The road trip will take us over 5,000 miles in 23 days.
We have been up till midnight every night for at least 8 weeks (totally not kidding) researching, reading and planning (and fussing at Keegan about homework). We've been stocking up at the stores and via Amazon for supplies. Our iconic family road trip of 2011 is just a few days away.
--Posted by Michele
