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Dec 28th, 2005, 02:48 PM
#21
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Denmark,
In answer to your question regarding one room or two for your family of five. We traveled with three children, ages 14, 15, 16 across the US (a few years ago) and had planned on two rooms, but every place we stopped, we were able to get oversized or family rooms. It would have been nice to have two rooms at times however just to have space from each other after staying in a car all day and being confined in one room every night.
I am not sure if KOA has cabins for rent or not. The ones I am famiiar with are set up for motor homes or tent camping, but you would have to have your own equipment. Maybe this is different in the Eastern part of the US. Also, many campgrounds in the National Parks and those near the Pacific Ocean are booked months ahead of time.
It sounds like a wonderful trip.
In answer to your question regarding one room or two for your family of five. We traveled with three children, ages 14, 15, 16 across the US (a few years ago) and had planned on two rooms, but every place we stopped, we were able to get oversized or family rooms. It would have been nice to have two rooms at times however just to have space from each other after staying in a car all day and being confined in one room every night.
I am not sure if KOA has cabins for rent or not. The ones I am famiiar with are set up for motor homes or tent camping, but you would have to have your own equipment. Maybe this is different in the Eastern part of the US. Also, many campgrounds in the National Parks and those near the Pacific Ocean are booked months ahead of time.
It sounds like a wonderful trip.
Dec 28th, 2005, 02:49 PM
#22
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Hello Travelkitty.
Problem is: We wanīt it all. Iīve been to New York several times on business + Washington, Florida and Seattle. But never crossed the country in a car. For my family itīs first time USA. SO: The idea is:
First three nights in New york. New York atmosphere. Apartment Manhattan with AC. (I k n o w itīs hot there in July). Then two nights in Washington.(Capitol, White House - from outside) and Space Museum. After that a drive to Niagara Falls (8-9 hours) and then spending a day and a night there. This was the FIRST week.
The LAST week + 1-2 days: California: Svim. Disney. San Diego. San Francisco. (Fly home from there).
In the MIDDLE: Almost two weeks driving cross USA. Wishes: Yellowstone. Grand Canyon. And some of the memorials for Laura Ingels. (Kids choice - they are found in South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Minesota.
Not easy to combine.)
We have rented a 7 person car for 5 at Alamo.
And by the way: In July we have an empty, very wonderfull 300 years old, modernized house with garden, 25 min. from the center of Copenhagen. If anyone are interested, you can stay there.
Problem is: We wanīt it all. Iīve been to New York several times on business + Washington, Florida and Seattle. But never crossed the country in a car. For my family itīs first time USA. SO: The idea is:
First three nights in New york. New York atmosphere. Apartment Manhattan with AC. (I k n o w itīs hot there in July). Then two nights in Washington.(Capitol, White House - from outside) and Space Museum. After that a drive to Niagara Falls (8-9 hours) and then spending a day and a night there. This was the FIRST week.
The LAST week + 1-2 days: California: Svim. Disney. San Diego. San Francisco. (Fly home from there).
In the MIDDLE: Almost two weeks driving cross USA. Wishes: Yellowstone. Grand Canyon. And some of the memorials for Laura Ingels. (Kids choice - they are found in South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri and Minesota.
Not easy to combine.)
We have rented a 7 person car for 5 at Alamo.
And by the way: In July we have an empty, very wonderfull 300 years old, modernized house with garden, 25 min. from the center of Copenhagen. If anyone are interested, you can stay there.
Dec 28th, 2005, 02:54 PM
#23
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Hello ltr
Thank you for your advise concerning room. Almost same family. (My children are 15,14 and 9. Did you get an extra bed in the room?
Could you please tell me which was your route crossing USA? How long time did you use?
Many greetings
Kim
Thank you for your advise concerning room. Almost same family. (My children are 15,14 and 9. Did you get an extra bed in the room?
Could you please tell me which was your route crossing USA? How long time did you use?
Many greetings
Kim
Dec 28th, 2005, 04:04 PM
#24
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Most of the hotels had two queen sized beds and a couch that made into a bed or a rollaway bed.
We actually drove the I-10 from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic coast, which is the southern part of the US, however, we have also driven to North Dakota, through many of the areas you would like to visit.
Our trip took 6 days one way, with stops of interest along the way. We left the hotels early (5AM) and drove for a couple of hours before stopping for breakfast. We tried to find something of interest each day and stopped around 3PM each day.
With almost two weeks planned for your drive, you should have a relaxed time.
May I make some suggestions for your California time? You have two ways to drive to San Francisco leaving Southern California. The coast route is very pretty and memorable and very very slow travel during the summer. The other route is up the middle of the state on I-5. It is very fast (5-6 hours)but very boring. It is desert, with a gas station and fast food restaurant every 30-40 miles and little else to see. I would suggest you take a couple of days and drive the coast route. You won't regret the beautiful ocean views.
We actually drove the I-10 from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic coast, which is the southern part of the US, however, we have also driven to North Dakota, through many of the areas you would like to visit.
Our trip took 6 days one way, with stops of interest along the way. We left the hotels early (5AM) and drove for a couple of hours before stopping for breakfast. We tried to find something of interest each day and stopped around 3PM each day.
With almost two weeks planned for your drive, you should have a relaxed time.
May I make some suggestions for your California time? You have two ways to drive to San Francisco leaving Southern California. The coast route is very pretty and memorable and very very slow travel during the summer. The other route is up the middle of the state on I-5. It is very fast (5-6 hours)but very boring. It is desert, with a gas station and fast food restaurant every 30-40 miles and little else to see. I would suggest you take a couple of days and drive the coast route. You won't regret the beautiful ocean views.
Jan 8th, 2006, 10:20 AM
#27
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I would not go out of my way to see South Dakota just for the Laura Ingalls Wilder experience. Getting to DeSmet is very time consuming, and not very scenic. Frankly, there is nothing (and I mean nothing!) to do anywhere in the area. If you were planning to go to Mt. Rushmore, then stopping in DeSmet is fine.
