Comments on: RWA Conference Top Ten Do’s

By: Patricia Barraclough

Patricia Barraclough — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:07:23 +0000

Only 9 hours. That is a piece of cake. We take books on tape/CD to listen to. Lately, we have just talked. Our schedules are opposite and we really don’t get much quality time together. Our first trip this summer we will have our 11 year old grandson with us. He is not used to traveling like our children were, so I’m sure we will get a lot of ” are we there yet.” We will be on the road a week or so – TN to Mass. to upstate NY back to TN.
When our children were young, we had many wonderful trips. When we lived in Colorado, my aunt and nephew flew out to join us. We spent two weeks on the road in an RV. My aunt got the double bed, our two girls got the bed formed by the table and benches, our nephew got the sofa and my husband, our hyperactive 8 month old son and I had to sleep on the shelf area over the cab. You couldn’t even sit up and of course our son slept between us and was never still. We covered most of the Southwest and had a great trip, but were glad when it was over. There are lost of stories connected to that trip.
You don’t say how old your son is. No matter the age, have lots of things to keep him busy and bring food.

By: KimC

KimC — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:48:01 +0000

Thanks so much for chatting today! And no matter where you’re going this summer be safe and have a great time. mwah.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:43:51 +0000

Great tips, Kim! This will be my first RWA conference and I’m soaking up all the advice. I live about an hour and a half from DC – my mom is about a half an hour from the hotel – so I’m driving to Mom’s and taking the metro downtown. She or my brother will pick me up, so I can get all the goodies I can pack.

I take lots of roadtrips and I’ll second (or third, forth, fifth…) the audio book suggestion. Don’t know your son’s age but my dd enjoyed the Indian In the Cupboard series, as well as Harry Potter.

The most memorable trip was when my dd (then 13) and I went to Ireland, rented a car, and just drove around the country stopping wherever we desired. I drove (manual) and she read the map. We had a blast! Best trip ever!!

Great blog! I’m so excited to be going to the conference! Just one more week!!

By: TinaLouiseF

TinaLouiseF — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:22:21 +0000

Everyone have a wonderful trip.

Maybe if the conference was scheduled in the fall west of the Mississippi River I might be able to attend sometime.
Provided I do not spend my vacation money getting 2 root canals and crowns like this year. Plus a new transmission.

By: Gannon

Gannon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:17:24 +0000

Thank heaven for iPods and Nintendo DS on long road trips….and books, too. Of course, PJ and I will definitely spend the whole drive talking, talking, talking.

I have all of my clothes, shoes, etc. laid out on the bed in the guest room, but not packed yet. I’ll definitely pack some hand sanitizer, Kim. Great suggestion. I CANNOT wait to see everyone!

Fresh, my dh and the kids and I stayed in one of the colonial houses in Williamsburg years ago. It was great–I highly recommend it.

By: Nicole Jordan

Nicole Jordan — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:36:28 +0000

Yikes, nine hours! Don’t know how to manage that, but you ought to have a fabulous time in DC and at the conference. That’ll be worth the long haul.

Hope it goes great for you, Kim!

By: KimC

KimC — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:32:46 +0000

Oh Meg, I’m sorry we’re miss you.

Y’all are definitely making me lean towards no site seeing. I do not like lines. Especially ones that wrap around buildings and take 2 hours.

Anthony and I are trying to convince Gil to go see Harry Potter with us for a midnight showing *G*

By: PJ

PJ — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:02:53 +0000

We were in DC last November and had a blast. Definitely tour the monuments. We took both day and night tours. Loved the one at night. Had an excellent guide! My favorite war memorials were WWII and Korea. The Korea memorial is especially beautiful at night. We went to the top of the Washington Monument but had to wait in line almost 2 hours. There are so many terrific things to do – just depends on your interests, really. We let the girls each pick one “must do” item. One chose the Bureau of Engraving and the other chose the National Archives. Both were very interesting. The Smithsonian museums are all good. We toured the Capitol, Library of Congress and White House but all those were scheduled in advance of the trip.

By: Janae

Janae — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:27:14 +0000

I think most of the hints that I use when traveling with my children have been mentioned. Things to do in DC – hit the National Mall at night because it’s incredible at night; there’s a spy museum across the street from the National Portrait Gallery that my family loved; I think we got our tickets to see the Declaration and Constitution well in advance of the trip. Oh, and there’s a great Greek restaurant that’s down the street from the Capitol Building – if you’re facing the National Mall – head left.

Oh – drinks lots and lots of water because it’s going to be hot in DC (and no hangovers if you stayed hydrated); know where all the public restrooms are because, well, it’s always a good thing to know.

By: Meg

Meg — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:48:25 +0000

I am SO heartbroken!! I won’t be getting to DC until Thursday afternoon!! Unfortunately, I couldn’t take Wednesday off next week. Instead, I am turning it into a long weekend with the niece and nephew at the museums. Better luck next time.