It is finally time for my family to take the trip that we have been anticipating for quite a few months, now. This is the first time that we have taken Dylan on a car trip that is longer than six hours. As of right now, we are a little over half way to our destination. The trip from Vermont to Florida is a long one, and it can take anywhere from twenty four hours on upwards, depending upon how many stops are made.
We began our journey a little over twenty four hours ago. The first small portion of the trip was driving from our house in Vermont to my parents’ house in Massachusetts. There, we loaded all four adults, two kids, and a lot of luggage into a large van that we rented for the occasion. We have stopped a few times for restrooms and for food, and we did stop at a hotel from about noon until almost seven at night, in order for our drivers to rest up. My husband and my dad are doing all of the driving, since the van is rather large.
A long road trip can be challenging for a toddler. Their concepts of space and time are not always in line with reality, and being cooped up in a vehicle for hours on end can make even the best behaved child a little restless. When you embark on a long road trip with your toddler, make sure that you bring along plenty of patience and keep your expectations reasonable and age appropriate.
While it will be nice to get to Florida and get settled in to the house that we will be staying in for a few days, I am grateful for the opportunity to make this car trip with my family. The journey is every bit as exciting as the destination, and already we have been able to enjoy Dylan’s reactions as he encounters things that he has never seen before. From diggers and dump trucks putting on a live show in the work zone on the highway, to billboards and Waffle House, it is all new for him. Sharing Dylan’s delight in these new experiences is wonderful. The wonder with which a toddler sees the world is a precious thing, indeed.