ROAD TRIP! Part two...

Oct 1, 2001 - © Lain Ehmann

So after the first half of our California adventure, we figured we were experts and could now move on to bigger and better things -- such as a 450-mile drive with two kids to Disneyland!

But this time we were going to do a few things differently. No junk food orgy on the way. No hours of bored children, banging on the windows, their carseats, and each other. No unexpectedly long drives. We were going to be prepared!

Our first step was to head for the park. We planned a mid-afternoon departure time, so we'd have nice, placid kids. We ran 'em ragged at the playground, letting them tear all over the place and wear themselves out.

Next, a quick stop at the junk toy store. $20 and fifteen minutes later, I'd prepared a huge "treasure bag," full of coloring books, mini airplanes, bubbles, Silly Putty, and various other tchotchke-like toys that would be doled out to the kids, a bit at a time -- a sure-fire way to battle the "Mama, are we there yet??" blues.

Finally, we stopped at the grocery store and stocked up on HEALTHY snacks -- apples, graham crackers, bottled water, and Diet Coke for Mom. :)

Then we headed out -- and sure enough, the kids were dead to the world by the time we got on Highway 101. They both slept for about three hours, woke up, and dug into their Treasure Bag treats.

We didn't stop for dinner -- though we did take a couple of potty breaks -- and pulled into our hotel parking lot with smiles on our faces. What a change from our trip just the weekend before!

Next month, hear about heading to the land of dreams, DISNEY!

For even more ideas on family travel, see the online courses
Travel Planning at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18488...
Family Travel at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18576... and
Archaeological Vacations at http://www.suite101.com/course.cfm/18626/
or the online topics
Traveling on a Budget at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/1448;
Archaeological Vacations at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/1889... and
Travel Book Reviews at http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/1893...

The copyright of the article ROAD TRIP! Part two... in Family Travel is owned by Lain Ehmann. Permission to republish ROAD TRIP! Part two... in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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