On Our Way Stateside... Advice Please...

So. little fella and I are visiting Stateside. very last minute, no planning whatsoever, just booked tickets last nite and got e-tickets in my inbox thismorning.

Starting in Dallas in less than 3 weeks (spending a week there with friends) and then driving in the Chicago direction . and back again - over about 10-11 days...or however long it takes and then a little longer in Dallas.

Does anyone have advice/recommendations on places to visit en-route etc. advice blah blah blah.would be greatly appreciated?

Little fella (11) is gonna have the map - Im gonna just drive - just going to head off into the sunset and see what comes our way - but any knowledge on places to visit would be grand. Or any advice actually.

Lived in the US for 4 years so know "stuff" in that respect but havent experienced the "middle" states. Very much into scenic routes open roads not so keen on museums and such like. Not able to walk very well either.

Dallas Okie. Kansas . Ooooh Nebraska sounds a nice place. up, east.. ideas?????

Thanking you. Smile

Austin is only 4 hours away!!! Very Happy

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And I know the feeling of just ...............driving......... and who CARES where you go.

I am doing some what of that myself in about 3 days and Im so excited I cant see straight.

I hope you have fun!

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Oh SheW - didn't realise you were going so soon. Oh YOU and BEAN have fun too - lotsa pics girl. How long will you be gone?

I have a niece in Houston... will see if she will meet me half way - which I guess is roundabout Austin-ish. So hey, that's not far a???? That would be fab Razz

We are very excited - little fella just can't wait to get on the plane Very Happy

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Texas/Kansas in the summer? yikes

Whatever else you do make absolutely damn sure that the air conditioner in the rental vehicle is working perfectly.

Make sure you have a couple of cases of water in the car before you leave the first city - cell phone that will work with U.S. carriers and has VERY good range - salty snacks to help retain the water - sport drinks for emergency electrolyte balancing - list of medical contacts provided by your specialists for each state you'll be visiting - you don't want to be guessing who's good once you're over.

and I seriously mean a couple of cases of water

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EBGirl...

OH MY! Is it that hot? Shocked

mmmmmm air conditioner is a must then. OOoooh - don't do heat Razz

Hey ho!

On the medical side of things.... well, you know more than most hun - I'm taking a big risk - but - I got to live a little a? Will have all my meds (oooh - good point - doctors letter for meds) and a few heavy duties I reckon. Thanku.

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I worry about kiddo's passport, but I figure you are taking care of that.

Me, I'd hop an airline to the west coast (how often do you get there, eh?) to the San Francisco bay area, then up to Seattle via highway 101. Glorious land.... and cool. (We all have our druthers..)

There's a train up north via Emeryville in the Bay Area, but it misses some of the coastal cool and joy re the drive. I haven't taken it, but I've read a lot about that there are often long delays. Drive, she said.

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Thanks Osso Smile

I am sending off the passport forms on Monday and hoping for fastrack!!!!! OOOOhhh - fingers crossed.

I love SanFancisco - I lived in San Jose (Milpitas) for 2 years and spent a lot of time in the Bay Area - and lived in Boston for 2 years (Harvard and nr. Marlboro) - so, the Mid West is a new experience. Have been to Texas a few times but have never done travelling with just me and the kiddo. Especially in my situation now. So it should be a real adventure.

So looking forward to open roads and fields of corn.

Am VERY excited. Very Happy

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Ah, I didn't remember that you'd lived there. I was speaking from my own longing..

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Would it be possible to reconsider and head south toward the water from Dallas?

I'm pretty serious about the temps and what they could mean for you.

The Texas Gulf Coast'd be lovely this time of year (though maybe a bit busy).

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Osso - Such a beautiful place SFO - I can understand your longing to return there. Smile

EBGirl - I have been to McAllen a couple times as I had relatives living there. I was thinking that going to Kansas - maybe setting out in the early evening - stopover there - and then on up to another verra good friend in Chicago (should be cooler there shouldn't it?). Last time I went to Chi-town R was just 2 years old and Texas Bubba and Kelly lived about an hour outside of the city. I visited there and 5 days later R and I returned to the UK permanently.

I really don't like high temperatures (not good planning a?), beaches, lots of people - and I think Chicago is calling our name.

Thing is..... nothing is definite - THAT'S WHAT IS SO LOVELY. Very Happy

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Chicago.. that toddling town (or was that New York?). Now there is a place both for a boy and a smart mom, and I know you've a2k pals there, that'll be good. I love Chicago myself.

Nebraska I also am fond of, but in a way retrospect sort of way. I spent a week there with a movie crew (my dad's) in the late fifties. Some of my memories are retrograde re Omaha, which I liked at the time.. like something out of somebody's old online photos.

My memories of Evanston, first suburb north of Chicago are retrograde too.. it has really built up with skyhighs by the university, built, I think, on landfill out into the lake. It was a near small town when I was a kid.

Anyway, the basic land is the same. I remember Nebraska as rolling green hills, wheee...

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Sorry about the cant to the west.. I'd read too fast and missed your Dallas to Chicago sentence.

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wunderground

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Oh no worries Osso -

I think S-boy will LOVE Chicago too - he will be in awe. He hasn't travelled very much at all so this is a real big deal for him.

Thanks EBGirl - mmmm.... pretty warm all round a? OH Shocked

Ah well, lots and lots of water and airconditioning (remember those days from travelling round Utah/AZ etc) - will be very careful.

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wunderground - Kansas - a bit hotter again

lots and lots of water in the car at all times - it'll be better/safer to leave some behind at the end than to not have enough in the car when you need it

long-sleeved cotton shirts to protect you from the sun while you're driving

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Beth you make it sound like driving to Hell...

(we are a few degrees cooler) :wink:

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mmmmm..... just been looking on that site... 'tis a bit hot out there ....

best get some sunglasses too a?

When you hire a car, are you covered for breakdown..... (triple A or something???)

We're not taking many clothes (I can't lift so... couple of backpacks - HA - don't even have a pair of shoes which is a bit worrying and no orthotics yet Rolling Eyes

)

gosh, feel hot just even thinking about it now! Both of us are very, very fair.... so yep... long sleeved shirts will be a priority.

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izzie wrote :

Quote:

When you hire a car, are you covered for breakdown..... (triple A or something???)

your car liability insurance policy should cover you for at least $ 2 million !!!
if it doesn't , buy additional coverage !

check the contract VERY CAREFULLY !!! DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING !
anything that the rental agent tells you , MUST BE IN WRITING to be valid !

if you are a member of the british automobile association , the AAA will probably extend a helping hand with maps - tourbooks - sending
towtruck etc.

pick up copies of the
GREEN BOOK - ROOMSAVER at service stations , restaurants , tourist offices for excellent discount rates on hotels and motels .

and enjoy your holiday !
we enjoy driving in the U.S. - drivers are usually very disciplined !
WATCH THE SPEED LIMITS ! :wink:
hbg

get a free copy of the OFFICIAL TEXAS TRAVEL GUIDE

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Thanku Hbg

I hadn't heard of RoomSaver before... that will be a great help.

Will check the car hire rental agreement carefully - I think we have to have something where they will send a towtruck in case we break down. Can't imagine the pair of us on the side of the road in that sort of heat.

Need to sort out international use on my mobile too - will do that.

I think if the driving becomes too much then we can always fly back from Chicago to Dallas..... or at worst, change our flights to fly back to the UK from Chicago - but I'm hoping all will be fine - we can take it easy and not travel in the heat of the day, get some music going in the car and... hit the road. Smile

Thanku.

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