Our Road Trip Tales series brings you the best in advice, from some really cool people, plus more about their adventures and experiences in travel. We started things off this week with our interview with Tracy Moore of CityLine, and Erin Bender, of Travel with Bender. We are thrilled to bring you today a wonderful voice in travel writing, Carol Cain of GirlGoneTravel.com
What’s your favourite summer road trip memory?
My favorite trip is our very first when my kids were 1, 2, and 10. We traveled from NYC to Missoula, MT. We traveled through North and South Dakota, through the Black Hills and Yellowstone. It was magical.
What is your top tip for Family road trips?
I always tell families, especially families with younger kids, that the hardest day is the first. Kids adjust quickly and settle into routines quickly. I also say that the hardship of no electronics is short lived and I highly recommend it.
Photo Courtesy of Carol Cain.
What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you set out on your first family road trip?
I wish I had not been so nervous about it, nor underestimated how awesome my kids are to travel with.
Top 3 snacks for in the car?
We are big into apples, pears, you know “hard fruits” (no bananas!) and nuts and water.
Worst snack for in the car?
Chocolates and chips and candies. No need to give my kids a sugar high and crash while on the road.
Musts on the road trip playlists?
We have a classical playlist music, as well as fun 80s-current pop songs that we all like. You wouldn’t think the classical music would be a hit, but my kids like the calm of it all.
Never on the road trip playlists?
Angry rap music. And definitely no Kidz Pop.
I most embarrass my kids in the car when I….
Sing loudly with the windows down!
My kids drive me nuts in the car when they…
Act gross.
Biggest challenge you’ve faced traveling with kids by car and how you handled it:
When we arrived at Yellowstone National Park we didn’t know how big it was nor that it would take us most of the day to cross it to get to our camp site. We arrived late at night and had to set up a tent (which we hadn’t done before) late at night. In the middle of the night it rained heavily and was freezing (temps drop to as low as 30-20 degree C, even in the summer!) We were wet and freezing and had to cramp into the car to sleep. The next morning we woke up tired, but were soon laughing about our misadventure.
Dream road trip destination?
After road tripping through France last summer, we hope to do a trip through Ireland and Scotland!
Carol Cain left a career in public relations to raise her three beautiful boys. Along the way she built a successful career as a freelance writer, award-winning travel blogger, and photographer. She enjoys sharing her adventures on GirlGoneTravel.com. You can check her out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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