Thinking about taking a vacation out West next summer with Emily, her boyfriend and Melissa. I have never attempted anything like this before and not sure how to go about it (I know sounds silly).

It's going to be tricky because I need to make sure I would have access to a dialysis center every other day.

I don't know if we should drive, take a train or (fly ). Does anyone know how long it would take by train, say to Arizona or Montana? No one has any information on schedules that far in advance. I was thinking maybe it would be easier to coordinate the trip through a travel agency.

If anyone could offer suggestions or advice, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

Alice, where do you live? I'm in Texas, and have thought I might try Arizona next summer. I've been getting online and ordering free travel guides, from everywhere...lol. I'm personally interested in seeing some Naive American reservations ect.
There is SO much involved in planning a vacation. Let me know how things go.

I'm in Virginia, so it would be quite a big trip for us. You're right about the amount of planning. I think we may try an agency, it just sounds like a nightmare trying to plan something like this myself.

I would love to see some Native American reservations, too and how they live, etc. I would be in heaven if I got to go to a rodeo on the trip.

LOL Alice, I wouldn't mind traveling to Virginia! That's one beautiful state you live in! I drove through there with my son's 8th grade field trip to Washington D.C.---let's just say I didn't want to drive out of it! But I know of course that you're ready to see some sites. We pretty much have traveled right here in Michigan all these years, so I can't really help you with any traveling advice. A traveling agency sounds like a good idea though....

Good luck!

Alice, the rodeo is huge here in Texas. Its in March every year during our spring break.
Look up Houston Rodeo info.....there's lots to do and they have great concerts too.

You and I just need to trade places.!!

Well, it looks like we won't be planning any vacations any time soon---tonight I went to my son's band meeting...his high school has been invited to march in Disneyworld's Thanksgiving light parade in 2010. Total cost of the 5 day trip to Florida= $1200.

That's $50.00 well spent then!

Good luck with the scrip, hope it works out well for you.

Thanks Alice.

Alice: The heat has left us for now. It won't be really cold until December, but it stays 50's and 60 from March-May.

We've seen Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Lonestar at the Rodeo. It was excellent concerts. I personally like going to things like that in the fall instead of the spring, but it was good.

Amy: We will be faced with a band trip next year for Nathan. Its always around $1200. He decided not to go last year, but I do want him to have the chance to his senior year.
They let parents do consessions during games to earn "money" toward the trip.( It ALL goes into one pot though...grrrrrr) My problem is they want parents to get a liquor license to sale beer at the stadium. I just have a huge problem with that.
Guess we will have to come up with the full amount.

I'm kind of ready to have these boys raised!~

Good luck with the planning, Alice.

We're planning a 4 week vacation to US next year, taking in many destinations. My friend, who works in a travel agency reckons the cheapest way to do it is to try to book as much as you can yourself. Saves a lot of $$$$$$'s.

We're hoping to go from the east to west coasts with a few stops in between, starting with New York City, Washington DC and Arlington, then heading for New England, Grand Canyon and Las Vegas before reaching Los Angeles, Ventura, San Francisco and Seattle.

My sister-in-law, who lives in L.A. is booking a lot of the internal flights for us as they seem to be cheaper if booked within the US.

Sounds scary but it'll be an adventure if all our travel plans go to plan without too many hitches.


Let us know how you get on with the planning. And good luck again!

Thanks for the info on the travel agency, Maureen.

You are really going to have a BIG trip! It sounds wonderful. I live very near Arlington, and used to live there when I was about three years old.

I've lived in Massachusetts and visited the other New England states as well and it is just beautiful up there. I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon and the other places out west you plan to visit. I look forward to hearing all about your trip when you get back.

Keep us posted on how your plans go as well

I'll certainly keep you posted on my plans, Alice.

Spoke to my friend Chrissie who works in the travel agency. She says why not visit one on your side of the Big Pond, tell them where you'd like to go and get them to do all the hard work checking out prices, flights, etc. See what they quote you and then see how much you'll save by doing it yourself.

Thank your friend Chrissie for me, and thank you. It certainly can't hurt to ask.

The plans for the family vacation we wanted to take are not going to happen after all. I've had some expenses come up that were not expected and that put a big dent in the bank account.

Maybe another year

Sorry to hear that, Alice.

Thank you, Susie.

It will be worth waiting for, I know. The kids understand the situation so at least I don't need to stress about that.

I'm sorry that you have the same problem, Maureen. Hopefully you can make it next year.