Suwan and Anchalee at a rest stop in North Carolina
Camping Cross Country with 2 little toddlers? Are you crazy? I know, many people think we're little bit crazy. But this is the only chance we'll get before the girls start school when they turn four. Driving across country sound really exciting to my husband more than me. He had been planning this trip for almost a year. First we thought about buying a little trailer just enough for four of us. After watching couple DVDs of how to drive and set up trailers, we felt that this wouldn't be our choice. Finally, we decided to go with the big tent instead.
Our trip started on March 11, 2010 and will end at the end of July. So the trip will take a little more than 4 months. My hubby planned everything from camping, cabin, and hotel reservations to buying and packing all necessities we need for the whole trip. My job was much more easier than his and that was to pack what I and my two 3 years-old daughters will be needed. I'm excited about seeing the country, but more worried about how the girls will handle the travel. We took off in a minivan with countless number of suitcases packed with toys, snacks, clothes and a brand new carrier on the top of the van that filled with camping equipments.
After 11 days of being on the road, I would say that my daughters have been handles this trip so much better than I expected. They didn't complain, but occasionally asked "are we there yet?". They seem to enjoy riding the car and talking to each others more than I remember. I packed a few baby Einstein DVDs and children songs like We Sing. They enjoy them a lot. I would say that my husband has planned this trip very well because we only have to travel 4-5 hours for each destination.
The girls are now potty train, but I still use training pants for them during car ride. I hate doing this to them but they seem to understand the purpose of it. "Just in case we can't find the rest room" I would tell them. We've been pretty lucky so far that we've found rest room whenever we need it. Once, my older twin had accident in her diaper and she asked to be change right away. She told me that she didn't hurry in time because she really enjoy playing in a play ground. And once, my younger twin wet her diaper because we were at a beach that has no toilet. I told her to go in her diaper. She kept refusing but finally she went. She wasn't happy because she is a "big girl" now and this took her integrity away. But, I know soon she will forget and forgive me.
Tips: Don't forget to pack a lot of plastic bags, trash bag or zip lock bags and cleaning supply. You will need these to collect and clean up after your kids at least once during your travel. Kids seem to get motion sickness easier than adult. My twins vomited several times during a trip we took to Olympic Peninsular last year. The roads are more wining I think. They vomited in a nice and clean rental car on the way from airport to my sister in law house. And guess what, we didn't have any cleaning supplied and it was stink! We had to wait until we found a grocery store to get a cleaner and towel to clean them up really well.
Also pack plenty of water, drinks and snack and keep them where you can reach when driving because you never know when your little one will ask for something.
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