Trip Across Country

It's always been a dream of mine to drive across country and take my time and explore the rest of the US. Two years ago, this dream came true and we're getting to do it again at this summer. I am so sad to be leaving Colorado Springs, but am looking forward to the trip to Jax and exploring that area. Lucky me, we're taking our time going across and will get to explore new places.

Highlights:

YMCA of the Rockies at Estes Park. We're staying at this fabulous retreat center, where all meals will be included and all activities. Look forward to more craft time, classes, roller skating, swimming, golf, tennis and of course exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. It will be our last hooray in the most beautiful state of Colorado. Sniff. Sniff. If you are military, thank you for your service and let them know at the Y. Our package is $150 for two days in a phat new room with all meals. Thank you YMCA.

Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City, KS. Just got a report from my brother that we will enjoy this water park resort as he is there now. I've never been to a Great Wolf Lodge and can't wait to go and play with the family for a couple days. Again, it's a bargain for military, firefighters, and police officers when you use code HEROES. It's $129 a night for a suite. In Williamsburg, VA, I remember it being over $300/night to stay there.

St. Louis. Going across last time, I remember St. Louis as being one of the best places for kids to visit. We're going back to the Magic House, one of the top children's museums in the planet and the St. Louis Zoo.

Chattanooga, TN. I am so looking forward to this trip! I thought we could stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.in Nashville on the way, but I just heard and saw pictures of the hotel under water. Broke my heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those folks dealing with the devastation, loss of jobs and homes. I was so sorry to hear about it and was glad to see my girlfriend Taylor Swift reaching out to the folks there. Back to Chattanooga. This looks like a spectacular place for the family to visit. I've been talking with the folks at the Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel and as a surprise, I booked two nights to stay in a victorian box car. With the children's fantasy package, we get tix to the Tennessee Aquarium and Imax, the zoo, children's discovery museum and model train car museum. Breakfast and engineer caps for the kids are included too! We'll first visit Rock City Gardens, the Incline and Ruby Falls. I hear they have a fabulous park there with an antique carousel and boutique shopping. FUN!!!

Atlanta, GA. May or may not have time to stop. Highlights if we can - American Girl Place for lunch and the Atlanta aquarium. Wanted to go to the World of Coke, but I am thinking that all that caffeine would not be great for the tikes.

Then we drive to Jax, stay on the beach til our stuff shows up for our new house.

After we move in, we go to Hilton Head to visit lots of family and then to Orlando for a week!