At the end of our last post we officially turned the van around, and began our journey east. No longer could we threaten our kids with putting the vehicle in reverse (which, believe me, we did – early and often). Leaving the west coast, we felt a little pressed for time. We had a few … More You can’t get there from here
We left Santa Fe after four nights in the tight confines of a hotel. It bordered on a being a really nice hotel. The rooms were “okay,” the restaurant was really good, the pool area was pleasant. One section of the hotel (not ours) came with a butler! Monica learned that those who accidentally enter … More We boldly leave Santa Fe…and only make it an hour down the road.
We spent four nights sleeping in a tent with two kids, in a campground with no showers. Our site had no water spigot – obviously no electricity. No cell service. It rained on the first day and everything was damp the entire time. Our mattress was wet. It was cold at night. And I didn’t … More They don’t call them the “Great” Smokies for nothing
At the end of May we will load up the family and head out on the road without turning back (okay, we’ll be back by the time school starts.) We’ll be like modern pioneers in a van instead of a covered wagon. But I’m guessing even the early settlers probably took their Conestoga’s out for … More The final test before the summer journey
This is the third and final installment chronicling our 7 day romp through the bottom half of Florida. Part One is HERE, and Part Two is HERE. The lynch-pin of our entire change in plans was the fortuitous booking of an elusive cabin in Bahia Honda State Park in the lower Florida Keys. We camped … More Spring Break Scramble – Part Three! Back to the Keys!
Before we get to Part 3 of Spring Break (coming soon), please check out my latest piece for Creative Loafing Tampa: 10 reasons kids are easier to manage while camping. No parent should miss out on the opportunity to legally deprive their children of life’s basics, while also warping their sense of pop culture. Photographic … More Check out my latest piece for Creative Loafing
A little housekeeping before we get to the post: We now have a public Facebook page for Don’t Make Me Turn This Van Around. Be sure to “like” it for more pics that don’t make the blog, and post updates. This is Part Two of our three part, mega Spring Break chronicle, which came with … More Spring Break Scramble – Part Two!
For several months leading up to our kids’ week off from school for Spring Break, we planned to camp for a week at Fort Clinch, which is a beautiful park on Amelia Island, nestled on the Florida/Georgia border on the east coast. Sounds idyllic, right? Well, it could have been, but since we booked early, … More Spring Break Scramble – Part One!
Camping is nature’s way of promoting the motel business. —Dave Barry Before striking out on our big summer adventure, it is necessary to ready the troops for battle… errr… prepare the family for the fun that is to come! My wife and I have been together for more than a dozen years and in that … More The Maiden Voyage
Don't make me turn this van around! RV Edition 