Six Weeks in a Car -- 2006 Cross Country Trip With the Stritofs
Join the Stritofs as they blog about their 2006 cross-country road trip that lasted six weeks.
Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
The Stritof's Serendipitous Sojourn -- Side by Side, From Shore to Shore is about to begin.
The Stritof's Serendipitous Sojourn -- Side by Side, From Shore to Shore is about to begin.
Day 1 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Trying to get the car packed this morning was a challenge and didn't go well. We didn't pack the kitchen sink, but it seems like it. My expectation of being able to find what I want easily in the car has quickly evaporated.
Trying to get the car packed this morning was a challenge and didn't go well. We didn't pack the kitchen sink, but it seems like it. My expectation of being able to find what I want easily in the car has quickly evaporated.
Day 2 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
We have a sleeping issue. We've always had a sleeping issue. However, at home, it is easier to handle.
We have a sleeping issue. We've always had a sleeping issue. However, at home, it is easier to handle.
Day 3 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Today's trip from the kids' home to Sheri's mom's home reinforced our decision to get off the beaten path and to take side roads as much as possible.
Today's trip from the kids' home to Sheri's mom's home reinforced our decision to get off the beaten path and to take side roads as much as possible.
Day 7 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
A long detour on a long day was one of the highlights of our trip to Las Vegas.
A long detour on a long day was one of the highlights of our trip to Las Vegas.
Day 12 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
The last few days have been spent visiting with friends and family members. We found ourselves doing a lot of reminiscing.
The last few days have been spent visiting with friends and family members. We found ourselves doing a lot of reminiscing.
Day 13 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
The first part of our day was driving through the Colorado mountain passes that still had snow!
The first part of our day was driving through the Colorado mountain passes that still had snow!
Day 14 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Once we were in Nebraska, we left I-80 and started driving on U.S. Hwy 30 which is the route of the Lincoln Highway. One shopkeeper told us about the 1733 Estates - which is the halfway point between San Francisco and Boston.
Once we were in Nebraska, we left I-80 and started driving on U.S. Hwy 30 which is the route of the Lincoln Highway. One shopkeeper told us about the 1733 Estates - which is the halfway point between San Francisco and Boston.
Day 15 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Our fifteenth day on the road reminded us of home as we drove through a lot of misty rain. We also talked about our irritations with one another.
Our fifteenth day on the road reminded us of home as we drove through a lot of misty rain. We also talked about our irritations with one another.
Day 16 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
This was a cold and windy day of visiting Sheri's past, and getting lost.
This was a cold and windy day of visiting Sheri's past, and getting lost.
Day 17 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
One of the things we enjoy doing is chatting with strangers about their lives and their marriages. This trip has given us the opportunity to listen to others talk about their marriage journey. Here are the stories of three couples who have long-term marriages.
One of the things we enjoy doing is chatting with strangers about their lives and their marriages. This trip has given us the opportunity to listen to others talk about their marriage journey. Here are the stories of three couples who have long-term marriages.
Day 18 - Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Joliet is where Bob was born and spent the first seven years of his life. We're going to stay here for a few days and do some family genealogy research. He wants to take some pictures of locations that he remembers.
Joliet is where Bob was born and spent the first seven years of his life. We're going to stay here for a few days and do some family genealogy research. He wants to take some pictures of locations that he remembers.
Day 21 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Today was our last day in Joliet where I am doing family research. Sheri has been my note taker and navigator as we visit museums, the library, schools, churches, cemetaries, and try to locate the homes my ancestors lived in.
Today was our last day in Joliet where I am doing family research. Sheri has been my note taker and navigator as we visit museums, the library, schools, churches, cemetaries, and try to locate the homes my ancestors lived in.
Day 22 - Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
One thing that surprised me was the huge size of so many of the new homes in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. I thought I read that families were smaller these days -- but the homes they are buying are much larger than the homes people bought when families consisted of lots of kids.
One thing that surprised me was the huge size of so many of the new homes in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. I thought I read that families were smaller these days -- but the homes they are buying are much larger than the homes people bought when families consisted of lots of kids.
Day 23 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
The weather today was beautiful. Our drive on country roads dotted with lovely looking farms and stately old homes was peaceful until we hit Cleveland.
The weather today was beautiful. Our drive on country roads dotted with lovely looking farms and stately old homes was peaceful until we hit Cleveland.
Day 24 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Since our Bostonian son took a couple days off work to be able to spend time with us, we wanted to get to Boston by this evening. We decided take the quick route to town which meant we didn't have as much fun today.
Since our Bostonian son took a couple days off work to be able to spend time with us, we wanted to get to Boston by this evening. We decided take the quick route to town which meant we didn't have as much fun today.
Days 25 - 28 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
We've had a great visit with the kids even though they had us walking everywhere in Boston!
We've had a great visit with the kids even though they had us walking everywhere in Boston!
Day 29 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
In the midst of cold, windy, pouring down weather, we got lost four times today. My patience was wearing thin, and Sheri was irritated with me for her perception of not being listened to.
In the midst of cold, windy, pouring down weather, we got lost four times today. My patience was wearing thin, and Sheri was irritated with me for her perception of not being listened to.
Day 30 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
It's been quite a day. We started out having to drive in rain again, but our day ended with beautiful blue skies. We only got lost once today.
It's been quite a day. We started out having to drive in rain again, but our day ended with beautiful blue skies. We only got lost once today.
Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car -- Finding Alone Time and Space
After 30 days together on the road, we've figured out how to handle the possible need for private space now and then. Remember that it is okay and natural to want some alone time.
After 30 days together on the road, we've figured out how to handle the possible need for private space now and then. Remember that it is okay and natural to want some alone time.
Day 31 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
If you are wondering why we are in New York State and not in Canada as planned -- to quote Steinbeck who quoted Robert Burns, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."
If you are wondering why we are in New York State and not in Canada as planned -- to quote Steinbeck who quoted Robert Burns, "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."
Day 32 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
This very long day of driving on toll roads for nearly 15 hours started with a grumpy Bob, and ended with a grumpy Sheri.
This very long day of driving on toll roads for nearly 15 hours started with a grumpy Bob, and ended with a grumpy Sheri.
Day 33 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Noticing Sheri's zombi-like status late this afternoon, we stopped and walked through a big antique store. We also had some ice cream cones. The break from all the driving and the ability to walk some seemed to revive her, and me too. By late tonight, I had driven just over 1000 miles today.
Noticing Sheri's zombi-like status late this afternoon, we stopped and walked through a big antique store. We also had some ice cream cones. The break from all the driving and the ability to walk some seemed to revive her, and me too. By late tonight, I had driven just over 1000 miles today.
Day 34 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
We arrived in time for the memorial service for Jim. It was at 4:00 p.m., and we arrived at our hotel at 3:00 p.m.
We arrived in time for the memorial service for Jim. It was at 4:00 p.m., and we arrived at our hotel at 3:00 p.m.
Days 35 to 38 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
The mountains of Nevada were spectacular today. Our time in Las Vegas was spent visiting with Bob's ailing parents. We also spent time with his two sisters, two nieces, and friends. Bob has been stressed since our arrival in Las Vegas -- very stressed.
The mountains of Nevada were spectacular today. Our time in Las Vegas was spent visiting with Bob's ailing parents. We also spent time with his two sisters, two nieces, and friends. Bob has been stressed since our arrival in Las Vegas -- very stressed.
Day 39 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
Even with trains passing by our hotel room on a regular basis, we slept pretty soundly last night. The sense of being on edge and stressed has lessened a great deal for both of us. We found ourselves laughing again today which is a good sign both for us as individuals and for our relationship.
Even with trains passing by our hotel room on a regular basis, we slept pretty soundly last night. The sense of being on edge and stressed has lessened a great deal for both of us. We found ourselves laughing again today which is a good sign both for us as individuals and for our relationship.
Day 40 -- Six Weeks Traveling Together in a Car
We had a wonderful day on our last day of the trip. I hadn't realized how green and pretty parts of eastern Oregon are. We walked through the wonderful downtown area of The Dalles and later drove on the Historic Columbia River Highway to the Rowena Crest near the town of Mosier.
We had a wonderful day on our last day of the trip. I hadn't realized how green and pretty parts of eastern Oregon are. We walked through the wonderful downtown area of The Dalles and later drove on the Historic Columbia River Highway to the Rowena Crest near the town of Mosier.