We had great luck taking the advice of our Chicago members on a previous road trip so I thought I'd throw up our potential itinerary for this year to make sure that I'm planning it, especially with weather and temp, reasonably. We are going in August.

The current plan is WA to North Dakota, down to Galveston, TX for a cruise by way of Kansas, then route back through Carlsbad, NM to Grand Canyon, to Vegas, then back to WA, I'm guessing via Reno or Lake Tahoe. Please let me know if anyone knows great spots to stay or eat, cool activities for boys around 10, things to avoid, etc. Travel time we are looking at around 10 hr legs for each travel day outside of Grand canyon to vegas which is a short hop. Some days will have overnights depending on what we are doing.

I'd like to hit the WW1 museum in Kansas City. Two of us will probably dig it. Two of us might not care.

In Gavleston I'm considering staying in Texas City though we might do Gavleston proper. They have a submarine exhibit at a park which looks cool and the U-boat was a big hit in Chicago. I'll have to leave the truck in a large lot for the cruise. I'll also have to shake myself down and dump all my normal carry crap.

Our cruise goes from Galveston to Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and Roatan in Honduras. I'm not planning on straying from the tourist areas in any of these places. Costa Maya, we are going to the Chacchoben ruins via cruise tour; Roatan, we are looking at a glass bottom boat and wandering the port; and Cozumel; while I'm tempted to just stay on the ship, we might wind up hitting one of the tourist beach club places. I only know what I've researched from the State Dept, youtube and some internet digging so if anyone has any thoughts that would be great. My understanding is don't do anything dumb, don't stray from the touristy areas and don't separate. I understand a good amount of Spanish but haven't spoken it in years.

I was thinking of Carlsbad Caverns in NM.

Grand Canyon is rather obvious. Mostly going just to look, the boys have never been. No real big plans other than that, stop, stretch the legs and move on.

Mostly the family wants to do Vegas since I wind up down there for Shot and I think they mostly just want to see it. My wife and I went years ago and mostly just enjoyed the crazy architecture. The kids are into the Titanic so I was thinking about taking them to the Titanic exhibit down there and doing the Manadalay Bay walkthrough fishtank. Not a lot of drinking or partying or whatever planned. Just see some crazy-designed hotels and maybe do a show and those activities with the kids. Daytime activities for the most part.

I'm thinking Reno or Lk Tahoe mostly just as a stopping place. If we did Tahoe then I might consider some leg stretching and wandering around but mostly by that time it will be time to get back for school prep and return to work.


Side notes: I'm not thrilled about leaving my G48 in the car in TX, locked in the floor safe. More than random theft, I'm concerned about the heat, though that might be a silly concern for a handgun. For our folks in hotter climates, is that a concern?

Thanks in advance for feedback or thoughts.

quote:

I'm concerned about the heat, though that might be a silly concern for a handgun. For our folks in hotter climates, is that a concern?

Of course it's a concern. But it's "silly". Ask me how I know.

Without a doubt you MUST do the Carlsbad Caverns!

Research if reservations are needed etc. Parks are busy these days, with many having such requirements.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

I'm concerned about the heat, though that might be a silly concern for a handgun. For our folks in hotter climates, is that a concern?

Of course it's a concern. But it's "silly". Ask me how I know.

Thanks, I figured but I wasn't sure. Should I consider cracking the windows while its parked or just button it up and use one of those windshield reflectors?

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
Without a doubt you MUST do the Carlsbad Caverns!

Research if reservations are needed etc. Parks are busy these days, with many having such requirements.

Great point, thank you I had not thought of that but you are correct, that is a thing now. It looks less physical than some of the caves I've done but that's a good thing with the kids in tow.

We did a beach club in Cozumel last year on our own. It was fine, as the wife says. But not much for kids to do. Just picnic tables, unlimited food and drinks (all were good), palm trees, and a beach. Pleasant for adults but for kids not much to do because of no real waves to play in and a bunch of seaweed was plaguing the area. Maybe there are clubs with better stuff for kids. Negotiate the cab fare up front, making sure if it is per person or for the whole group.

We did a beach club via the cruise line in Cabo this year. Not so fine! One issue was being sort of tied to their transport. I expect the same would be true in Cozumel. If you want to leave early you have to now pay again for the taxi, and you should really try to let the excursion know that you left so that they won't be searching for you. And you don't know ahead of time which exact club they will take you to.

So my suggestion is to research beach clubs yourself and then make a reservation. Taxi in Cozumel port is super easy. Everybody takes dollars, too.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

I'm concerned about the heat, though that might be a silly concern for a handgun. For our folks in hotter climates, is that a concern?

Of course it's a concern. But it's "silly". Ask me how I know.

Good reason to take an old-school steel and wood gun. A plastic one might melt.

Oh, and I agree about Carlsbad. Been there once many many years ago and it's high on my list of places I want to revisit.

“Should I consider cracking the windows while its parked or just button it up and use one of those windshield reflectors?”

Definitely don’t leave windows cracked open in Galveston. The reflector thingy will be fine.It takes a lot more heat than will be present in a car parked in the sun, to melt a Glock frame.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
We did a beach club in Cozumel last year on our own. It was fine, as the wife says. But not much for kids to do. Just picnic tables, unlimited food and drinks (all were good), palm trees, and a beach. Pleasant for adults but for kids not much to do because of no real waves to play in and a bunch of seaweed was plaguing the area. Maybe there are clubs with better stuff for kids. Negotiate the cab fare up front, making sure if it is per person or for the whole group.

We did a beach club via the cruise line in Cabo this year. Not so fine! One issue was being sort of tied to their transport. I expect the same would be true in Cozumel. If you want to leave early you have to now pay again for the taxi, and you should really try to let the excursion know that you left so that they won't be searching for you. And you don't know ahead of time which exact club they will take you to.

So my suggestion is to research beach clubs yourself and then make a reservation. Taxi in Cozumel port is super easy. Everybody takes dollars, too.

Great info, thank you!

Carlsbad is very nice but for us the highlight there was the adventure tour of Slaughter Canyon Cave.

https://www.nps.gov/cave/plany...canyon_cave_tour.htm

Pro tip: Take two (2) lights (headlamps or flashlights...the brighter the better) per person!