Final Countdown, Day 14

The Final Day, Day 14!! Vallejo to Camp Pendleton, California

Let me just tell you, after 14 days in a vehicle with a toddler, we were so ready to be done with this road trip!   Michael and I were both super glad that we did not try to make it to Yellowstone, like originally planned, and that we decided to fly to North Carolina instead of drive it.   The little 14 days we did drive was enough for all three of us!   You could tell Joey had had enough of the car around day 11.  As you can probably imagine, days 12, 13, and 14 were lots of fun.    

Our campsite on Night 14.  That's right, it's on the beach!

We had originally planned to camp the entire trip.  Yeah, that didn't happen.  However, the two out of three times we did camp, went GREAT!  And that was with our toddler!   It took us several tries this summer, but I think we finally have camping with our toddler down!  (Biggest key:  Darkness!).

Waking up to the sound of the waves and having a little breakfast on the beach?  Awesome.

So, for us, success to CAMPING with a toddler was: 

-wait until dark to put them to bed.

-let baby sleep in pack-n-play.

-follow home routines (ours include a sippy cup of milk at bedtime and white noise).

-white noise on the iPod on repeat in the portable speaker system.  This was super nice because it also drowned out the noise we were making by the fire and when we got into the tent. 

-have your fire after baby goes to bed.  That way you don't have to worry about your toddler trying to touch the fire!

-let your child help you set up camp. 

These were just some of the things that worked for us.  Also, if you're just starting out with camping with a wee one, don't give up if it doesn't go well.  It will get better, eventually!    

This beach is on Camp Pendleton.  Our house is two miles from here!  Boo-yow!

 Success on a long ROADTRIP with a toddler was...

-lots of snacks, that are easy to clean.   We've made the mistake of giving Joey fig newtons.  Yeah, we're still cleaning that one up. 

-someone sit in the back with the kiddo to entertain him...this will save your neck and back from twisting a lot.

-carry whatever milk you use and lots of cups.

-stop to eat meals.  This also is a chance for your babe to run around and stretch his legs.

- don't push it.  If you're kid has taken a nap, eaten, been changed, and entertained and is still fussin', take a break.  I know that I get pretty restless in a car after awhile and I'm not restrained to a little car seat. 

   -relax and enjoy the trip!  Some of the best sights we have seen have been random, unplanned stops.   Don't forget that once you have kids, a lot of your life becomes about the journey, not the destination. 

It really was a great trip!   I do not regret driving from Alaska to Camp Pendleton at all, but I won't be taking any long road trips anytime soon.  Ha!  :)