Ok, I’ve written twice now about our incredible summer in Maine and Vermont. It was all sunshine and rainbows and family fun, right? WRONG! Now that you’ve smiled along with the good parts, here’s the bad part about being so adventurous with a large family… when things go wrong!
I’m sure you’ve all had a travel horror story with delayed flights, last minute changes, and getting home well past the anticipated time. Now just think how daunting that is when you have 5 boys in tow between 2 and 10!
The Unexpected Flight Delay
Our original plan was to fly back from Maine to Florida at the end of our nearly 3-week vacation full of fun and excitement. However, we received an email that our flight had not only been delayed but also split into a connecting flight with an overnight stay in New Jersey.
Wait, what? A connecting flight with 5 boys. And an overnight stay at an airport. Nope! Given the fact that there was also an impending storm nearing Florida, we weren’t optimistic about the chances of our flights actually landing the next day. Instead of trying to find alternative flights, we decided to embrace the adventure of a road trip.
Preparing for the Journey
How did we prepare? Um, we didn’t! By the time we heard about the flight change, we had about 30 minutes to decide to pack up early, close up the summer house, and hit the road. So, we stocked our minivan with an abundance of snacks, drinks, and entertainment. We also made sure to have plenty of chargers for our devices. Knowing that the boys might get restless during the long drive, we relaxed our screen time rules, allowing them to watch movies and play games on their iPads. Go ahead and judge me, this was a life saver!
Planning the Stops for a Long Drive
While Papi was the fearless driver for the majority of the trip, my job was equally as important. I had to figure out where we would stop along the way to reduce our down time but also make sure the boys were able to stretch their legs and get some energy out at the same time.
As we made our way, I didn’t plan stops based on fuel levels or major cities. Nope, I carefully planned our route, taking into account the boys’ energy levels and the availability of family-friendly stops. I found McDonald’s that had play places, pizza shops next to playgrounds and the best rest stops that had big lawns for the boys to just run laps around.
I was even able to find a gas station next to a baseball field. So, I took the boys to run the bases and slide into home plate as many times as they possibly could while Papi filled the tank and re-filled the snack bag.
The boys were adamant that we just sleep in the car like “a real road trip” (huh?!) but we caved one night and stopped at a hotel for a five-hour nap to rest before continuing our journey. The rest of the time, even when we rean into the tropical storm we were trying to avoid, we kept them entertained with games, songs, and stories.
A Newfound Appreciation for Road Trips
Despite the long hours, our road trip was an unforgettable experience. We saw beautiful scenery, visited charming towns, and created lasting memories as a family. The boys were amazed by the vastness of our country and the different landscapes we encountered along the way.
Our road trip from Maine to Florida taught us that with even just a little planning and preparation, long-distance travel with young children can be a rewarding adventure. While we may not embark on such a long journey again anytime soon, we have a newfound appreciation for road trips and the opportunities they offer for family bonding and exploration.