Two Month Road Trip

[PNW Judy]

...so glad you didn't drop an F-bomb or two. I can relate and I don't even have to be all that mad sometimes. ;)

But, I noticed some areas, like Montana or New Mexico/Arizona- where I can go hundreds of miles without a place to stop.

I think you'll find that there are a lot more places to stop for meals, fuel, and lodging in the West than you think there are. I've done my share of driving throughout the West, including New Mexico and Arizona and I've taken backroads, like mountain roads, whenever possible. I don't believe I've ever gone more than about 40-50 miles without finding restaurants, fuel stations with convenience stores, etc. And even stretches that long are rare. 10-20 miles are probably more typical.

I'm currently planning another trip through Washington-Idaho-Montana-South Dakota-Wyoming and I'm avoiding interstates, using several scenic byways out in the boonies, etc. I'm probably going into the less populated areas of some of those states, particularly Montana, and I don't think I have any stretches of more than about 40-50 miles without amenities anywhere along my route.

I think the same can be said for most of the areas in the West. In fact, stretches where there are no road services for over 40-50 miles are rare enough that there are usually signs warning you of that so you can be aware to gas up, etc. before continuing down those roads.

I think you sound like a great mother who is doing her best to have a wonderful trip with your son while, at the same time, being careful to meet his needs. Kudos for that. But I do think that you have a misconception at how spread out services are.

I hope this gives you a bit of piece of mind as you continue your planning.

[Kirby]

Judy,

Do you think I can find gluten free grilled chicken, french fries, organic apples or organic bananas in these rest stops? That is all my son eats. I'm literally packing a box of food- gluten free high fiber breads, gluten free pretzels, gluten free cookies, etc. and a toaster oven to heat things up (the bread is crappy unless you cook it a little).

Also- I'm a strict vegetarian and I haven't eaten meat, chicken or fish in 24 years. I won't even eat a grilled cheese on a grill that cooks meat. I shop at places like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods or the Natural Section of Major food stores. The workers at Subway really love me when I ask them to clean off the knives. LOL.

If my son and I ate typical American foods, then I would agree with you 100%. But, for the last 5 years I've carried around coolers of food with me everywhere we go (along with an Epi-pen). My son at 8 yrs old JUST started eating new foods. He now eats about 20 things, instead of the same 10 for the last 5 yrs. Just the last 6 months I've been able to order food in restaurants for him. We've been calling it "road trip practice". :) But, it is extremely limited.

I'll have the room for SOME food in the CR-V, but we'll be on the road for over 2 months. I'll have clothes, cameras, a big cooler, the toaster oven, books, toys, computer, small coolers, laundry detergent, dish soap, sheets and blankets, life preserver, etc..... I'm not sure how much food I'll be able to fit.

One cool thing is his bread is vacuum packed and will last for months before I open it. We'll also be hitting some large cities (SD, LA, SF, Seattle, Vancouver, Chicago)- so I know I can find things there. It's just places like Idaho-Montana-North Dakota and OK-NM-AZ.

I've been researching all the stores and restaurants in small towns like Page Az, Naples ID and Cooke City MT. Trip Advisor.com has been very helpful.

BTW- when I looked up the Grand Canyon, they posted that there are no gas stationed inside the park. I have to find out if the same is true for Yellowstone. I can go about 340-420 miles per tank- so I should be fine.

I hope you're right about the services being very accessible. I'm really looking forward to the trip and I'm going to be blogging the whole thing. So- I'll come back here in September to update everyone. I'm not "freaking out" about this- although it might seem that way. It's just out of my comfort zone and you can't mess around when it comes to your kid eating :) It will be a good learning experience.

[RoadTripper Brad]

BTW- when I looked up the Grand Canyon, they posted that there are no gas stationed inside the park. I have to find out if the same is true for Yellowstone. I can go about 340-420 miles per tank- so I should be fine.

I hope you're right about the services being very accessible. I'm really looking forward to the trip and I'm going to be blogging the whole thing. So- I'll come back here in September to update everyone. I'm not "freaking out" about this- although it might seem that way. It's just out of my comfort zone and you can't mess around when it comes to your kid eating :) It will be a good learning experience.

As far as I know, there are Gasoline stations within Yellowstone. Grand Canyon says this:

At this time, there is no service station in Grand Canyon Village. The nearest gasoline and diesel fuel is available outside the park in the Community of Tusayan, 7 miles/ 11 km south of the village at the Conoco Gas Station / Express Mini Mart.

The only service station within the park - on the South Rim - is located at Desert View, 26 miles east of Grand Canyon Village.

Tusayan will have more than just the Conoco and there is also plenty of lodging and other services there as well. It's a short 7 mile jaunt. If you happen to be near the Desert View area, there is a station there.

[PNW Judy]

I've never heard of that. Very cool. You do have a lot of special challenges to deal with, I'll grant you that. Your planning will certainly have to be far more intricate and detailed than most travelers. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a great trip. And, yes, please share your blog with us because I'm really interested in hearing how things work out for you.

[Jessi]

BTW- when I looked up the Grand Canyon, they posted that there are no gas stationed inside the park. I have to find out if the same is true for Yellowstone. I can go about 340-420 miles per tank- so I should be fine.

When I was in Yellowstone 2 years ago, I remember using at least a couple of the gas stations. I think there's one by Old Faithful, one by the hotel (in the north) and one in Lake Village (in the east).

Also, I'm not sure when you'll be in the area, but the Sturgis bike rally is held in early august. Lots of baby boomers on harleys like to travel through Yellowstone on the way to Sturgis. It might be something that your son will enjoy watching... or possibly something you want to avoid.

[howard]

We'll also be hitting some large cities (SD, LA, SF, Seattle, Vancouver, Chicago)- so I know I can find things there. It's just places like Idaho-Montana-North Dakota and OK-NM-AZ.

There are Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and a local co-op as well,
La Montañita Co-op Market. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding what you need out this way.

[Kirby]

I found New Mexico and Arizona had some nice choices for organic and fresh fruits because of the climate (when I looked on the web).

I'll be spending about 2 days in Taos, 2 nights in Page, 3 nights in Flagstaff.

The bread is made by Ener-G Foods. There is no dairy and they vacuum pack the loaves. You can search it on Amazon.com and see a picture.

Thanks for reminding me about co-ops Howard. I remember visiting one in Buffalo last year and it's a nice alternative to a health food store.

[Nachomama]

Hello again! I just found out something really neat that you might like. I took my kids to the Exploreum in Mobile the other day and they have a partnership plan with a whole bunch of other children's and science museums all over the country. You basically sign up for an annual family pass for $100 and then you can get free/discounted admission to any of the partner museums on their list. Here's the link.

This is going to save me a lot of planning time (and hopefully some money) this summer!

I also have some experience dealing with the gluten issue, my mom has celiac sprue and she is on a very strict gluten free diet. For a long time she only ate cheese and nacho chips! I've noticed that there are a lot more gluten-free foods at Wal-mart and Publix in our area lately. I used to have to shop exclusively at health food stores when she comes to visit which was a giant pain. Of course, you're still going to have to do most of your meals out of the cooler, but it may be easier than you think to find gluten free.

While I'm not vegetarian, I like to find farmer's markets along the way when I travel, they tend to be cheaper and the produce is always better and I've had good luck with this site.

Hope that helps!

[Kirby]

so that explains the "nacho mama" :)

I knew about the museums- very cool deal.

I went through the list and matched it up to the locations we are going to.

OMG- the amount of research I'm doing is unbelievable. It's like 20 trips in one!

Farmer's Markets are a good idea. I've gone to a few before. Between those of co-ops and regular supermarkets I should be fine. It's just hard to find a place to eat out where we can both find food. It's like we eat opposite diets.

A couple of times I've ordered a grilled chicken sandwich at McD and asked for the chicken in a separate box. My son eats the chicken and I eat the bread with the lettuce and tomato. LOL.

Kirby