To me a vacation is something relaxing. Or it should be anyway. Yet every year that we have gone and done something even resembling a vacation, it has felt like anything but. I come home more exhausted than when I left.
This year will likely be no different. We're heading back to Utah. Now let me be clear - we enjoy it, and we love seeing all our family. But it's a lot of work and time spent traveling with kids. History has proven this to be a less than relaxing endeavor, hence, not a "vacation". I get tired just thinking about it.
It sure makes me appreciate all the efforts my parents made to "vacation" with us as kids. As a kid it is a blast. As a kid you are not out to relax; you are out to have fun. Maybe that is my problem. I am trying to relax instead of focusing on the fun. Hmm...
Well this year, I am going to try and have fun. It may not be relaxing, but I want to enjoy it more. Traditionally we have stuffed the kids into the truck and put ourselves through marathon driving sessions - not this year. This year we're taking it easy. Well easier. I hope.
Since we own a 5th wheel RV, we might as well put it to use. I may have to sell my wife's dog in order to pay for the fuel, but I am willing to make that sacrifice. I mean, can you put a price on the experiences and the memories shared with your kids?? Of course not.
We will therefore be hauling our crew down to spend a couple weeks in northern Utah. But we plan to take a different route this time. For the countless times we have made this trip in the past, we have always taken the most direct route. Example:
This year we won't even touch this route. At least for the trip down. Coming home it will most likely be exactly the same. But this year we're spicing it up a bit on the way down. First of all, we plan to drive no more than 6 hours a day on average. Then if we haven't reached our intended destination, we find the nearest WalMart and call it for the day. WalMart is awesome for RVers...they don't care if you stay while passing through and it's free! Yeah right. Like we don't end up spending more than a day's camping fees at each WalMart stop anyway.
Ok, so back to the trip. Our first stop - Vegas baby!! Ok, maybe not. But close. Reno Nevada:
Here we plan to spend a couple days (at least). We have a nice RV park lined up and it should be fun. I am pretty sure we can find something interesting to do with the kids here in this "mini Vegas". There is this 30,000 sq ft family fun center that I have seen advertised. Circus Circus is there as well I believe. Who knows what else!
From here we head to Utah. Since we have a family reunion smack dab in the center of Utah (Fillmore UT) - that will be our next stopping point.
This leg of the trip could be the hardest. There is literally nothing between Reno and Fillmore. A few small towns from the looks of it, but otherwise nothing. Not even a WalMart!! So this means we may have to pull a longer driving day if needed.
Once in Fillmore we plan to spend another couple days camping with family. It has been several years since we last made it to a family reunion. This will be a good time to see those we haven't seen in ages. Should be fun.
Then from Fillmore we will head north to the Salt Lake City area.
We plan to stay here for roughly two full weeks before heading for home. Our agenda for these two weeks hasn't been fully planned yet, and will really depend on what family is available etc. Regardless, we plan to take the kids and do a few fun things. Lagoon for example is high on the list. I expect we will have more planned out as we get closer to traveling.
Overall it should be an adventure. We will return home, and like most trips, I will feel like I need a vacation from the vacation. The thought of returning to work will be horrible. But it will be good to see everyone and get away for a bit. Plus everyone will finally get to see (in person) our new baby girl!
Though I warn my Aunt Edna to wear some form of plastic protection if she plans to hold her. :)