We’re five days in to the trip of a lifetime and thus far, it’s been an experience for sure.
Currently, I’m writing from Florida where we are spending six days with Travis’s parents to celebrate Christmas. I suggested a trip in place of gifts this year. To me, memories are worth far more than things.
This trip isn’t technically part of our “road trip,” but since we had to drive to Minnesota to catch our flight to Florida (and we won’t be returning home) it already feels like we’re experiencing the true travel life. We’ve already had to put into practice a LOT of patience with long travel days and some tiresome nights of tossing and turning in new places.
After driving over five hours to Minnesota, we checked into our hotel around 7 p.m., caught about seven hours of sleep, then got up early for our 6 a.m. flight. It wasn’t ideal. Long story short, the kids were up from 3:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with no naps whatsoever. Apparently my kids just won’t nap outside of their cozy beds. Let’s hope that changes during this six month long trip. I think I’ve decided early flights are not for us anymore. It makes for an endlessly long day ahead. The flight made me thankful that our trip will be in the car. You can control much more driving from destination to destination versus flying.
Though this trip to Siesta Keys doesn’t look like the rest of our road trip will, I’ve still attempted to put into practice as many frugal-living skills as possible. We stopped at the grocery store the first day to ensure we’d have some food for cooking at home. Considering meal bills are pushing a hundred bucks for all six of us, this was essential. We are also partaking in as many free activities as we can. Swimming and playing games at the Airbnb, walks, building sand castles, watching movies, and exploring the beautiful nature around us have been some highlights. I make it a point to show my children how amazing the world can be without even spending money.
Yesterday, I even tried out a new app called Too Good To Go. The point of the app is to help reduce food waste. I had heard great things about this app in the past, but there wasn’t much offered in Green Bay. Imagine my excitement when I looked up Sarasota, Florida and found plenty of restaurants to choose from! Due to my past working at a bagel shop, I felt it was most important to try bagels in a new city. Travis and I looked through the app and found a bagel shop just across the bridge! Instead of just tossing their leftovers from the day, restaurants can post bags of food to purchase for cheap on this app! We chose the restaurant Buddy Bagels, then claimed a “surprise bag,” and scheduled the pick up for the afternoon. Our bag costed just $5.99, and since I had no idea what I was getting, I crossed my fingers and hoped for a deal!
Much to my delight, I was not disappointed. WE GOT TWELVE BAGELS! An assortment of flavors baked fresh that day. Let’s just say purchasing a dozen bagels rarely costs less than fifteen bucks! We will definitely be using the app in various other areas around the states to keep food costs low.
We’ve already been learning a lot as a family of four traveling together. Like how everyone’s attitudes decline with little sleep, and no one is their best when hungry. Keeping beef sticks and granola bars on hand at all times will likely save lives on this trip. And don’t even suggest that the almost two-year-old takes a nap in the car because it will be followed with an hour of screaming. But on the flipside, getting outside is LIFE to all of our bodies. Sometimes a walk around the block can change everyone’s hearts. And most importantly, we cannot wake up and do each day without asking God to go before us. He’s the only One getting us through the ugly moments and He’s gracious enough to give us the happy moments.
In just two days we’ll be flying back to the Twin Cities, staying over with friends for one night, then heading south. Next stop Omaha, Nebraska. See ya there!
