#1 Meadowbrook Park
I used the website Roadtrippers to help us find nice places to get out and stretch, picnic, and enjoy each other's company along the 18-hour drive. One of the places we stopped was in Urbana, IL at Meadowbrook Park. We had a picnic and then walked along the paved path where statues were placed around. Then we let the kids play at a huge playground at the far end of the park before continuing on the drive. It was beautiful and really helped break up the day.
#2 Driving on a bike path UP a mountain
The next day, using Roadtrippers again, we were going to go to a scenic area in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia and I got us lost:( We ended up going up a very steep mountain, no wider than an over-sized bike path. At one point there was a bike coming down the mountain straight for us and gave us a funny look like, "What are you doing?!!" When we got to the top Matthew was to say the least...VERY upset. He pulled over on the side of the road and said he was done driving for a while. I drove us the rest of the way to Williamsburg.
#3 Historic Powhatan Resort
We stayed at a huge resort called Historic Powhatan Resort right in Williamsburg. We rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom timeshare from someone online. The first night we went to the outdoor pool movie and had a great time swimming together. On Sunday morning the girls (Grandma Barb, Lanie, and I) went to paint our nails at the clubhouse. Didn't Lanie do a good job on my nails:) Matthew and Carter enjoyed the mini-golf and racquet ball while we were there. We also rented a couple movies, enjoyed walks, and toured their historic house. I enjoyed going for a couple morning runs from our timeshare, in a state I'd never run in before:) One night Matthew and I enjoyed a short date at the clubhouse for a couple drinks. It was nice to be together, talk, laugh, and relax.
#4 Miss Hampton II Cruise
The first full day in Virginia, we went on a Harbor Cruise leaving from Hampton. It was the first time the kids had ever been on that large of a boat and in ocean waters. We learned a lot about the Navy fleet that is anchored there and also about Virginia. The cruise stopped at a man-made island that was used and created in WWI and II. It was neat to get out and walk around and imagine the island being created. We learned about and then later got to drive on the underwater/ underground bridge when we went to Virginia Beach the last day of vacation.
#5 Swimming in the Ocean
It was as magical as I hoped it would be when the kids got to play in the ocean for the first time. After the Harbor Cruise we went to a family-friendly Buckroe Beach that is along the Chesapeake Bay. It was really calm and not at all how I remembered playing in the ocean when I was a kid. Then when we went to Virginia Beach the last day, that was along the Atlantic Ocean, it was how I remembered it, fighting the waves, sand under your swimsuit in crazy places, riding the waves in, etc. Carter kept drifting WAY down away from us and the waves were so strong they would drag Lanie under even near the beach and in her life jacket. She loved it of course, and I was playing in it right along with her:) I never realized how much more calm being in the bay made the water. We went out onto a really long fishing pier that made you feel like you were out in the middle of the ocean. We also spent a lot of time shopping on the board walk in the fun little shops. Lanie and Carter each got a Virginia Beach fishing hat and Mom bought a fun sundress.
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| Buckroe Beach |
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| Virginia Beach |
#6 Kid-friendly Colonial WilliamsburgWe spent 2 whole days at Colonial Williamsburg and still did not see everything there was to see. We participated in a reenactment of a March on the Governor's Palace, learned how to dance like they used to, and went for a tour inside the old capital and learned so much. They had a ton of things for the kids to do including live-museums, playing with historical toys, and helping make food.
#7 The Life of a Jolly Pyrate
On the 2nd night of Williamsburg we stayed for a dinner theater called The Life of a Jolly Pyrate. It took place in the basement of a tavern and was really funny. The apple pie and ice cream was awesome too:)
#8 Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is a must-visit when you go to Virginia. It is a HUGE Amusement Park but also very pretty and with wonderful live shows. The park is divided into sections and named after countries; Ireland, England, Germany, France, Italy, Scotland and a few others. We knew we wanted to hit as many shows as we could so we planned our day around those. The first show we went to in the Germany area was a fairytale called Entwined and they invited Lanie to come up and be the princess at the end. Her smile was SO big and she felt so special! We also saw an Elmo show, Celtic Fyre, and Pet Shenanigans.
I think I rode every rollercoaster in the park, including the death-defying Griffin:) Carter, Mom, and Matthew each went on one with me and I went on a few by myself. The rest of the family enjoyed the much calmer little kid rides and rides that stayed on the ground. The 4 of us did the water ride Pompeii at the very end and the kids loved it.
#9 Watercountry USA
Water Country USA is a great Water Park in Virginia, it also was not far from our timeshare. We picked the hottest day to go there and loved our time there. We went on the amazing Colossal Curl to start the day and kind of freaked Lanie out at first. This park allowed Fast Passes for kids with special needs and their families, which really helped us get to almost every ride. Both kids were daredevils and really it was Matthew that got nervous FOR them:) At the very end Carter and I went on the Vanish Point where we each stepped into a glass box and the floor dropped out. It was amazing! Both our legs were a little wobbly after we got out.
#10 The laughs and relaxing time with family
It was just SO nice to not have the regular stresses of life for over a week. We could sleep in when we wanted to, stay up late when we wanted to, do dishes and laundry if we wanted to and really have a chance to enjoy life together. The kids were amazing in the car, a 20 hour drive really is NOT bad with all the devices available now. They'd rotate from their kindles, to the DVD player (Frozen was watched at least twice), to the toys they brought, to the car games binder I had prepared with maps and coloring sheets for every state, and back to their kindles. I had strung a piece of string from one side of the car to the other and marked increments of 100 miles (12 of them). Every 100 miles one of the kids got to move the clothes pin to the next 100-mile marker. It really helped the kids understand just how far the trip was. On the way back we drove the whole way in a day, leaving Virginia about 8:30am and got home about 3:00am. We really didn't stop for anything except gas, bathrooms, and once for McDonald's icecream:)
I'm so glad Mom got to go on the trip, too. Of course I want her to see as much of the world as possible, but also it was so nice having an extra adult there to help keep an eye on and entertain the kids when needed. Although Matthew and I never took a whole date night; the short walks, relaxing alone outside, and couple hours at the clubhouse we are very appreciative of.
Just today, two weeks after vacation, Carter said to me out of nowhere, "Mom, I miss the ocean." I know buddy, I know.
We definitely want to continue vacationing with kids, maybe Yellowstone or Mt. Rushmore next. We'll continue to stash away extra money and plan at least yearly trips, driving when we can. We plan to buy a rooftop bag to give us some extra room in the vehicle as the kids continue to get bigger:)
Yes!!
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