Well, our 11-day trip ended up getting a day longer before it ended, but we made it home safely yesterday in the late afternoon. That was the longest trip my wife and I have ever taken together (we've been together for almost 19 years now) and taking the kids along added an extra dimension of fun and an extra layer of challenges. I'm thankful to report that we also managed not to lose anything, and we are van-packing masters now.
The reason that our trip was extended was that we wanted to take the kids on a steamboat ride on the Mississippi River, and (despite the brochure and website info) they were only running this in the afternoons during this season, so we stayed in New Orleans and enjoyed the boat trip before heading to Baton Rouge that evening.
The boat was a big hit with all four kids. My two older kids took a lot of pictures with their cameras, and I've enjoyed watching them reminisce about the trip already. My son particularly enjoyed sitting at the front of the boat with the wind in his hair, and our baby (who recently learned to walk) decided to attempt walking:
- on a slanted surface
- on something that is moving
I have little doubt that this improved her ambulatory skills in a dramatic way.
We took a ride up and down St. Charles Avenue, and we explained to the kids that this was the same one referenced in "Monopoly". Some of the homes there are truly remarkable, and I like the fact that even the McDonald's, Borders, and Chase Bank are forced to comply with the strict historic building codes in that area.
We visited Beckham's Bookshop, which held a lot of promise, but didn't deliver in my humble opinion. It looks like one of those old bookstores you see in movies, where couples meet and eventually marry, but it was sort of sad and rundown instead, and the books themselves seemed like something that might have been found at a yard sale, assuming the yard sale was held by people who didn't read very much.
We wanted to eat in New Orleans, but we didn't want to pay to park yet again, so we ended up finding a nice restaurant next to our hotel in Baton Rouge instead. Although the food was excellent, the portions were pretty darn small. I thought it was just me, but my wife also mentioned it, so I was not alone. Ironically, the kids were served giant, oversized portions for their meals. What?!?
We spent some time at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge, which looks like an actual castle outside, and a cathedral on the inside. It also contains a lot of information about the late Huey Long, who was assassinated. After that, we headed out for Houston. We had intended to stay with family, but my wife's dad just got released from the hospital that day, so we opted for one more night of hotel living before returning home. My wife had an opportunity to meet some of her blogging friends for lunch, which was a treat. They're a lovely couple, and they met via blogging, which I found to be incredibly cool.
Upon arriving home, I felt relieved and suddenly tired, although all of us were a little sad to see this trip come to an end. We are already thinking about our next adventure. If things work out, we might do this again in May, when we travel to Washington, DC. I've never been there, but I am anxious to see it!
Here are the cities where we actually slept during our trip:
- Shreveport, Louisiana
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Birmingham, Alabama (possibly where I will retire)
- Marietta, Georgia (just outside Atlanta - thanks again to Ken and Myra Cook!)
- Mobile, Alabama
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Houston, Texas
I had never been to Mississippi, Alabama, or Georgia before, and some of the scenery, hills, and trees were breathtaking. I think one of the things we all learned is that we are both tougher and more flexible than we might have realized. I am thankful to have made some awesome memories with my family.
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Jason,
Congratulation on the safe completion of your six states adventure with your family. As a former military man myself, I can recall the days when the family and I would be crisscrossing the USA. Those were the good days. I am sure your family felt great about it too. Again, Congratulation. Now go get some well-deserved sleep.
Jason, this a great illustration of a post written about something personal. I'll use this as my shining example of sharing something about myself.
Jason, glad you guys mad it safely home. And i'm sure you have many priceless moments to remember and talk about.
Jason, when we use to travel with our kids, we called them "family bonding". As the kids got older and they didn't want to go they would sarcastically say "mom and her family bonding trips, in a car for days."
Glad you had fun and Yes now that they are older we do look fondly on those times.
Sounds like you had a great trip Jason! I missed my vacation this year and I am suffering for it now.
Hi Jason, glad you guys had a great trip and are home safe and sound. Thanks for sharing your vacation with us; you may have a sideline as a travel writer!
No matter how much fun you have on a trip, it's always nice to get home, isn't it? I'm glad you enjoyed Birmingham so much......I think it's pretty special! :o)
I like the statement above your soda caps Jason, If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere?
That is the type of call to action I have been looking for before I start linking my different social media networks together. I'm not there yet, but now I am a step closer!
Congratulations on a successful family trip!
That sounds like you had a blast and a lifetime of memories created. D.C. should be a ton of fun too, I could spend a week just at the Smithsonian. Thanks for letting us share your trip!
Jason,
I'm so glad that you got home safely. God is good. Not only that but you and your family had a wonderful trip from the sounds of your posts.
What great memories you have just forged with a family road trip! You really should do it more often. That's the stuff your kids will remember forever.
Jason, I'm glad you made it home safe and sound and still sane, lol. I remember road trips as a kid and still look back with fond memories. Your kids will always have great memories too, I"m sure!
It was so nice to meet you in Atlanta :) Looking forward to seeing you again in the future!
Jason - That sounds like quite a trip, and to think your family survived all the togetherness is great news.
The Crusading Crouch's finally arrive home safely!
Welcome back my friend!
Safe and sound and sleeping in your owns beds again. Trips are awesome and I miss the Abby quotes.
Jason sounds like you had a great trip. I wonder why you would retire to Birmingham though unless it was Hoover or Mountainbrook.
Jason, I had the opportunity to visit Birmingham when my father lived there for a few years. I 100% agree.... it is a beautiful place and I feel it somewhat resembles Austin (hills and trees)... but has much more southern charm than Austin does.
Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to lease for 50 cent, I'm a man of means, by no means, King of the Road. I used to put my little cowboy boots on and dance around the room listening to Roger Miller. What a memory your video link triggered...