4000 miles in a car with three kids may seem daunting but with a little planning and prepping, it can be a fun trip. I've spent the last week finalizing and confirming hotels and activities. 

 
11 hotels/accommodations on the itinerary. I've confirmed them, checked their parking situation and whether they have breakfast in the morning. Saves money and time trying to find a restaurant in a strange city. I bring cereal and rice milk (no refrigeration) if we need a quick breakfast. Eating out can become monotonous.
 
16 days living out of a suitcase sounds overwhelming. it doesn't have to be. We choose to live out of drawers in our car. No suitcases. I've started packing rubbermaid drawers with outfits for the everyone. I roll outfits together for easy grabbing. You don't need 16 days really. 8 days is doable with laundry possibilities. Each of us carries a backpack to take into the hotel. We just place clean clothes in the bag and head up to our room. Easy peasy.
I also have a hanging rod in the car for coats and clothes that I don't want to wrinkle. Ok, so i can hang my clothes that don't fit in my drawer. It's how I roll. 

We are all anxious to get a move on. Friday is the day we hit the big road out west like the settlers so many generations before us. We venture out together to follow our ancestors before us in our version of a covered wagon (our Covered Vagon) to explore the wild and not-so-wild west. We will explore all the places we've read about in text books. We will make history come alive in some respect, making it tangible and real. My kids are lucky enough to see these things as they are learning about them in school. I have waited 44 years to see these places and landmarks with my own eyes.

I hope you'll join us on our journey and see how easy it can be to make forever memories and bond as a family.

Giddy-up!