Cell phones and social media make it easy to keep up with people without having to plan to be together. The Travel Channel and the internet allow us to visit places without even leaving home. While social media, cell phones, and facetime are great, we should never let them replace spending quality time with family and friends in person.
Not just a trip, but the opportunity to reconnect with family is my real objective of Florida to Idaho and back in 10 days. Along the way, I enjoyed the beauty of the countryside, mountains, and snow that you do not see in Florida.
Now, my idea about a vacation trip is somewhere warm and tropical, I am really going out of my comfort zone, but again that is where we experience some of life’s greatest moments. Sometimes we do not plan a trip, the opportunity presents itself and the timing just works out on it own, Florida to Idaho and Back in 10 days is one of those trips.
My brother who lives in Idaho purchased a car and needed to pick it up in Indiana and get it back to Idaho. Sent out a text, anyone interested in a “road trip”? The stars must have lined up and the next thing I knew I was making airline arrangements to fly and meet him in Chicago. The plan, to fly to Chicago drive three and a half days to Idaho, and then fly home.
Trip Goals:
- Visit Family in Chicago
- Get my Brother from Indiana to Idaho- Main Objective of Trip
- Stay in and experience Airbnbs ( I have never stayed in an Airbnb)
- Enjoy the countryside along the way
- Visit Brother’s Family in Idaho
- Hopefully, see a Moose
- Home to Florida
Visit Family in Chicago
Flying to Chicago was the first leg of my trip. Have not seen my Chicago Family (dad’s side of the family) in 2 years. My flights were good and the fanny pack that I bought for this trip worked great. It allowed me to keep my hands free to pull my carry-on bag. This Free too Fanny pack has several zipper pockets so I can carry my wallet, phone, tickets, and lip gloss easily. It was always around my waist, never had to worry about it and when I went on the plane I did not need to remove it. I wore it comfortably while seated on the flight and did not have to put anything on the floor under the seat. This always makes me nervous that something will fall out or just not always having it in my possession.
For future trips, it will allow me to free up my hands for taking pictures without heavy straps on my shoulders.
My new hanging toiletry bag also proved to be a good addition to my travel gear. I did have a few criteria features I was looking for, and this bag seemed to check all the boxes. After using it on this trip, I would say it is a keeper. Some things I was looking for in a bag:
- Metal hanging hook that swiveled.
- Large enough to get ALL my toiletries. (Maybe my husbands too)
- Some zipper pockets for smaller items.
- Reasonable Price.
Originally, I ordered two different bags. When I got them both in, this one seemed to be a better fit. Comes in several colors, I chose black. I would not suggest hanging it on the shower curtain rod…as it might pull it down, just saying… Startled my brother the first night in the Airbnb and probably the host family downstairs. The towel rack or door hook works better.
Get my Brother from Indiana to Idaho
We did it! Now My brother flew to Indiana and picked up the car and met me in Chicago where we have family. Then Steven planned out three nine-hour driving days and four hours the last day, taking us from Chicago to Sandpoint Idaho. All went as planned with Airbnb’s scheduled each night. Our three-and-a-half-day journey was full of beautiful landscapes and good conversations, and fun just being with my baby brother. This Florida girl saw temperatures as low as -18, (on the car monitor) and the “Phantom Of The Opera” (on a tablet). I watched on the tablet while my brother listened to music through Bluetooth. He had seen it several times before, this was my first. Three nine-hour days driving, plenty of time to catch up with your brother, watch a movie, and take lots of pictures of snow. Great movie if you have not seen it. The music is fabulous also.
On our first day driving we got up to leave Naperville IL, just barely starting to snow. We were expecting snow for about the first hour. It turned out to be snow on and off for the first eight hours of our nine-hour day. Makes for a long day driving, we were ready to stop for the night.
Airbnb – Not sure what to think…
First night in an Airbnb. I am not too sure how I feel about Airbnbs versus a hotel, different for sure. Certainly some advantages and disadvantages. Throughout this trip, we will be staying at 4 different Airbnb locations. I guess I will get a good overview and by the end of my trip.
All the homes we stayed in were clean and comfortable sleeping. We did meet the hosts at each one when we arrived and they were very nice. I just was not sure about staying in someone’s home with people we do not know were in a different part of the house. Something to get used to. However the 3rd night the downstairs that we stayed in had a locked door that made me feel a little more comfortable.
Advantages:
- Most of these were less expensive than a hotel.
- All of the ones we stayed in we had more room than we would have had in a hotel.
- Each one we each had a private bedroom.
Disadvantages:
- Some did not have a separate locked access. (2 of the 4)
- Most hotels have 24 hrs desk so if there was an issue you would not be waking up Host Family (We did not have any issues, other than not finding light switches, and had trouble getting the TV to work)
- Most Hotels have elevators. ( 2 of the homes we had to carry luggage down stairs.) Now when booking Airbnb you could look for some that are on ground level
None of these were deal-breakers just some things to consider when booking.
Enjoying the Countryside
There were some incredible views along the way, some that took your breath away. Views that were unbelievably beautiful.
I was very happy to have my Road Atlas with me. GPS is great but I do like to see the big picture and be able to see the towns as we pass and see what towns are coming up next. It did come in handy when we missed the big food exit and had to find a place to eat in the middle of nowhere.
Visiting Family in Idaho
We made it!!! to Sandpoint, Idaho, and spent three and a half days enjoying time with my brother and his family. Together we played Exit: The Abandoned Cabin Game, it is like an escape room but in a board game. This is a GREAT team-player game where everyone works together to get out of the cabin. It was very challenging and took us over an hour to escape. I am glad we were working together on this, not sure I would have made it out on my own. Although it is a one-time play game, so you can not play it again or pass it on to someone else, it was a lot of fun. There are several other Exit games that have different theme settings.
We ventured into downtown Sandpoint where we visited a couple of shops. Saw the Statue of Liberty. Yes, there is a 30′ Statue of Liberty in Sandpoint, Idaho. She stands on a pier on Lake Pend Oreille. I never expected to see the Statue of Liberty in Sandpoint Idaho.
I SAW a Moose!
Keeping my eyes open everywhere we went. My sister-in-law was checking Facebook to see who may have seen a moose. Finally, we saw a mother and her calf. They were just hanging out in someone’s front yard.
In addition to the moose, I saw a buffalo. A little easier to find. He was out enjoying the snow.
Back home to Florida
Early flight out of Spokane Washington about an hour away, so we opted to head over and do my 4th Airbnb. We had five of us so the space, two private bedrooms, kitchen table, and living area with a cozy electric fireplace was really nice. After seeing a few sights in Spokane like the big red wagon slide, and the garbage goat we settled in for the night in front of the fire with pizza, snacks a glass of wine, and the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (I had never seen that one either)
Successful Trip!
- Got to see Family,
- Steven got his car to Idaho
- Saw losts of beautiful country
- Saw 2 MOOSE! And a Buffalo.
- Althought good experiences with Airbnbs my thoughts are still out on how I really feel.
- Back home Safe
Always fun to go on trips but there is no place like home. Made it home after a 16 hour day in the air and airports. I was ready to see my husband and my furbaby, Letterman.
Cynthia Mackintosh
I’m similar to you. I’m also a tropical girl. We went to Canada in December to visit a family member and it was -11! Way too cold to live in, but had the best time!
Donna
Out of our comfort zone, pays off. 🙂
Tricia Snow
I love road trips like this. Sounds like a great time!
Donna
I was a little aprehensive but loved ever minute.
Julie Gazdecki
Love spontaneous off adventures on our road trips too!!
Donna
Yes, I am ususally a planner so this unusual for me, but SO WORHT IT.
Ash & Dani
Very nice! I love how you listed out your goals for the trip!
Donna
Thank I was glad to have this opportunity.
Shalona
Great tips! I am also on the fence sometimes about staying at an AirBnB instead of a hotel. I love staying a hotel however it is more cost effective at times to stay at an Airbnb.
Donna
Shalona, With a group of people I can really see the advantage of Airbnb.
Lisa
I love road trips!! Such fun to see spontaneous things! Also good to list your goals!
Donna
Lisa, Ready for the next Road Trip.
Jennifer |Me and My Traveling Hat
Road trips are fun it’s great that you tried a different experience with Airbnb. Glad you got to have that special time with your brother an opportunity to see family.
Donna
Jennifer, It was great!
Kristi @ Way Beyond The Norm
Love it! You got some great photos! How’d you enjoy the Phantom of the Opera? It’s one of my faves.
Donna
Kristi, Loved it! Now I want to see it on Broadway.
sheila
Sounds like it was a successful road trip. Good times with little brother is always a plus. I recently stayed in my first Airbnb too. I also found it a bit disconcerting that the owner was home and the room I was in did not lock (I was traveling solo) but it turned out great and as you said, more space than a hotel room for less money.
Donna
Shelia, Not sure if I would have felt comfortable by myself. No, I do not think so.
Jessica
Sounds like an awesome road trip! Air BnB’s are still a little hard for me too sometimes!
Donna
Jessica, Glad I am not the only one not on 100% with an Airbnb. Everybody seems to love them, and like I said we had all good experiences, there is just something holding me back. I will probably try them again.
Vessy Smith
Heeey, you did see moose (or is it meese 🙂 )! This sounds like such a great adventure. I am not a fan of the cold, but it will not stop me when it comes to traveling and exploring! Loved your story! Thanks for sharing! 😉
Donna
Vessy, Thanks.
jen
I love that you had goals and I’m super glad you saw a moose!!
Donna
Jen, The MOOSE was a big highlight, I was on a mission to see one. 🙂
Michele
I could see us doing this! Road trips are our favorite!
Donna
Michele, Next time I would like to do more along the way. Our goal this trip was to get to Idaho and visit family there.
Amanda
What a trip! I do love staying in hotels too. The only Airbnb’s I have done have been with big groups so it makes sense to do it that way. Not sure if I’d like it as much as the hotel experience.
Donna
Amanda, I usually travel now just with my husband so hotels work. With groups I can see the advantage of an Airbnb so much more for sure.
Janine
What an epic trip! Seems like you and your brother had a great time.
Donna
Janine, Was great, he is planning a family reunion for this summer, can’t wait so see more family.
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
What an awesome trip! The time with your family is so precious.
Donna
Tracy, Family is so important. So glad I took the trip.
Shirley
Sweet! I love fun-packed days, no sense in wasting time in a destination you might only get to see once! Thanks for the pics, they really show the essense of your adventures!
Donna
Shirley, Thank you.
Jordin
I LOVE airbnbs! They are great opportunities to stay in more local areas. Woof! You had long ten days!
Donna
I would not discount an Airbnb had good experiences at all of them.
alison
What a great road trip minus the cold. I can’t stand cold and I live in a cold climate area. I totally agree with you about social media not replacing quality time with the family. It is so important to have that personal contact. Glad you went to see family. Oh and the moose, how cool!
Donna
Alison,
Such a great trip. Ready for the next one. Summer time I hope.
Missy
Great job getting your list accomplished. I liked the moose photo.
Donna
Missy,
So wanted to see a Moose on several trips, glad I finally was able to see one.
Pam
I love adventures like this – and it’s fantastic that you just jumped right in for the ride!
Donna
Pam, It was a lot of fun. Sounds like my brother has another trip up his sleeve.
Steve Marchiando
This was indeed a wonderful trip. Thanks for coming along Donna and stretching the boarders of your comfort zone. Next you’ll need to leave that zone all together and join me on an adventure that takes us down the road less traveled. The roof top tent is calling. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5DYbSgkfWVOOGhqdmhYTWNLV1E/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5DYbSgkfWVObWczMFE0cmYzNVk/view?usp=drivesdk
Little brother,
Steve
P.s. Donna might need some online support to say yes to this one.😉
Donna
Steve,
Not sure about roof top. Glamping is more my style. But who knows, you only live once.