I got a month off in April, what to do?

[alf]

Would love some suggestions...2 boys 7&9, infant 11 months and a lovely wife. Thinking of RV'n across the country...

[TechnoViking]

There's a PCA club race in Topeka April 19-20.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by alf

Would love some suggestions...2 boys 7&9, infant 11 months and a lovely wife. Thinking of RV'n across the country...

That's actually a great idea. The kids will remember that for a long time.

[SLO-BOB]

See the Robin Williams movie RV before you do that. Sometimes art imitates life. In this case I have some friends that had a worse time than those in the movie. Their trip ended up with a rental car ride home from Kentucky and a lawsuit. The RV crapped out and pretty much ruined the vacation. Before my friends had their nightmare adventure, I looked into it also. The cost of the RV was insane. I'm sure it makes for a good story, but I'm thinking sun, sand, sailing, scuba, and lots of relaxation. I'm pretty sure it costs less and has less of the very strange drama/boredom content.

[Dueller]

If you can pull the kids outta school, rent this place (or one like it) on Isla Mujeres for a month (c. $6,000).

http://www.casadeserenidad.com/

www.myislamujeres.com

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have an 11-month old boy. Couldn't imagine trying to keep him occupied in a RV all day long. He's a handful compared to his sister. Ready to run-run-run all day long.

I think you would do better going someplace warm with a pool and beach and letting the kids release some energy. You can take turns chasing the little one around.

Or, just stay home for a month and do nothing but play with your kids all day. Good bonding time.

Forgot about school, thats a long time to miss.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Better yet, tell the wife you are going on a sabbatical and that you'll be back in a month.

Now that's a vacation!!

[TechnoViking]

True, RV'ing is not stress-free. And it is not a good way to save over staying in hotels as some think it might be.

People RV because it is a unique experience. Nothing like waking up at the track to the sound of race cars pulling out of their trailers!

[KaptKaos]

http://www.habitat.org/

Not so much fun for the little little, but a good experience for the older ones. Find a project local to you and go lend a hand.

[silver912e]

Hershey baby:


http://www.cpa-pca.org/events/2008/swap/index.html/

Bring rain gear

[Seahawk]

I retire at the end of April, don't start the new job until June...I plan on a lap around North America in my Targa. The wife and kids will meet me on the West Coast for a week.

I'm thinking 11 days each way.

[Type911]

Originally Posted by silver912e

Hershey baby:


http://www.cpa-pca.org/events/2008/swap/index.html/

Bring rain gear

Neat idea, but come on...leave the rain of Seattle for the rain of Hershey?

Go somewhere warm w/ sun for a month.

[alf]

I am thinking of buying a Westfalia and just cruise along at 55, sell it when I am done if I do not end up liking it too much.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally Posted by alf

I am thinking of buying a Westfalia and just cruise along at 55, sell it when I am done if I do not end up liking it too much.

Cool idea and probably cheaper than the cost of 30 days RV rental. Okay - I exagerate.....just a little though.

[911boost]

Seahawk, let me know if you come through Colorado.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by BSiple

Seahawk, let me know if you come through Colorado.

Count on it...

Alf, travel light, have the fam meet you at a cool place. Or better, take the older boys solo, and have the wife and 11 month old meet you mid trip at a cool place.

My son and I drove across country when he was 7...camped and Holiday Inn Express'ed our way from Md to Or. He still talks about it.

I hate to say it, but the 11th month old is the lowest common denominator and will impact the trip...just be sure in seven years he gets the same trip with Dad, gets the same memories.

[Netspeed]

Rent an RV and vacation down in Baja Mexico. While you're driving down, stop by the American Lemans race on April 19th in Long Beach!

[KaptKaos]

I've read a lot of bad news stories about Baja lately. Real nasty stuff.

[alf]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Count on it...

Alf, travel light, have the fam meet you at a cool place. Or better, take the older boys solo, and have the wife and 11 month old meet you mid trip at a cool place.

My son and I drove across country when he was 7...camped and Holiday Inn Express'ed our way from Md to Or. He still talks about it.

I hate to say it, but the 11th month old is the lowest common denominator and will impact the trip...just be sure in seven years he gets the same trip with Dad, gets the same memories.

You know, you might have something there. Fly the wife+11 month and road trip the 2 boys in the Roach

School, I am OK with pulling them out for a month and have them do HW on the road daily.

On the Westy Angle, I found this on craigslist for $10k...

Awesome 1989 Volkswagen Westfalia Weekender Camper Van. This van is owned by a lunatic car enthusiast and was mainly used to go to and from vintace car races. The van is very, very clean inside and out.

165K miles on the 2.2 liter watercooled engine. The engine and transmission both operate like new. (One Owner) I Bought this van new and have kept it garaged since new. I have also kept Amsoil in both the engine and Transmission since new.

[the]

Originally Posted by SLO-BOB

The cost of the RV was insane.

I looked into an RV rental last summer, and agree!

To rent an RV for a month and drive it 3000 or so miles would be incredibly expensive, for the RV rental fee, the mileage fee and the fuel.

But to go cross country for a month with a wife and three kids . . . in a Westy, would be truly insane!