Travel advice needed - DPChallenge Forums

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

11/16/2009 11:26:09 AM · #1

This might appear to be more of a diary or a whiney rant â�¦ so only read if you wanna be friendly and helpful! =)

So every year we go to Iowa to visit my in-law family. At this point we consist of a 4.5 year old, a 1.3 year old, 2 adults (assuming you can call me that), and a shitzu. I really don't mind making a road trip out of it but the civic is becoming limiting. As you could imagine, keeping all of these beings comfortable (along with gifts and luggage) will prove challenging.

Here are my issues with flying:
I don't like it - I get anxiety (I'm a wimp). No direct flight. We arrive practically 2 hours away from our destination so we still have a significant drive in for us even after we land. Flying with kids (need I say more?) At the mercy of others for travel when we get there. EDIT to add: Can't bring the little Shit-zu.

So assuming you take flying out of the equation, I have a few options:
1) Buy the minivan we have been talking about (although a more efficient "greener" version would be preferred and I assume one will come if I wait). Do I really wanna deal with buying one?
2) Rent a vehicle (estimated van rental 1000$)
3) Amtrak (we get to leave at 3:45 AM)!
4) Ask friends to borrow their van (not sure of the condition of the van). This may seem like a no brainer to some, but this is a long trip so
5) ?

Looking for advice, wisdom or somebody that has a secret code for really cheap rental ... ?

Message edited by author 2009-11-16 11:30:20.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/16/2009 12:04:49 PM · #2

The perfect solution: videoconference.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/16/2009 12:19:12 PM · #3

Option 1: Go for the van. You're gonna need it soon enough anyway, and having a good reliable car is always a good idea, right? Find one that has good mileage if something "green" isn't quite on the market or in your price range yet, then keep it maintained so it'll keep getting good mileage.

Option 1a: See if you can rent the specific type of van you're looking to purchase - what better way to see if you really like it than to take it on a long road trip? The cost is the equivalent of what, three payments or so? Look at it that way and it's not so bad!

Option 2: Wish you were in Europe where your train options would be MUCH better. I am so gonna miss the whole public transportation network here, I really am...

And I love Matthews suggestion, but I'm guessing that might not go over well.

Option 3: Have your inlaws come to you?

11/16/2009 01:00:10 PM · #4

HAHA! Tempting. Skype works for me, but I'm guessing my wife won't like the idea of just "looking" at holiday cookies and kissing her niece through the screen ;).

Originally posted by Matthew:

The perfect solution: videoconference.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/16/2009 01:02:58 PM · #5

I like these options - thanks. Perhaps we'll make a trip to a dealer some time this week. It's insane how much it costs to rent and it is just money down the drain.

Originally posted by Melethia:

Bebe

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/16/2009 01:10:42 PM · #6

We have a 7-seater Toyota Highlander hybrid SUV and love it. Granted, the two back seats aren't the most comfortable for anyone over 5', but smaller kids do fine there and they're available for when we're shuttling extra kids around. Our terrier mutt seems to like it as well.

Yes, it's an SUV, but it is a hybrid and we get almost 30 mpg in the city. Every year we take at least two extended (30+ hours round trip) car trips, since I'm not a fan of flying either, and it's worked out well for us.

I got it used just before the gas crisis a couple of years ago, so I got a pretty good deal but I see that they cost quite a bit more these days.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/16/2009 01:22:56 PM · #7

Originally posted by tate:

I like these options - thanks. Perhaps we'll make a trip to a dealer some time this week. It's insane how much it costs to rent and it is just money down the drain.

Originally posted by Melethia:
Option 1: Go for the van. You're gonna need it soon enough anyway, and having a good reliable car is always a good idea, right? Find one that has good mileage if something "green" isn't quite on the market or in your price range yet, then keep it maintained so it'll keep getting good mileage.

Option 1a: See if you can rent the specific type of van you're looking to purchase - what better way to see if you really like it than to take it on a long road trip? The cost is the equivalent of what, three payments or so? Look at it that way and it's not so bad!

I like this option (1a) alot...try looking at Southwest Airlines for car rentals...they are usually the best deal around...also...whenever you are renting wk long increments are always the best deal...with that in mind you might keep the van for a couple of wks vs 4/5 days at peak season (Thanksgiving/Christmas/4th of July) just to get you out of that window (holiday) go a few days before and a few days after, look for coupons (Entertainment Books are great for this...but be sure and call the rental company first and make sure they will accept the coupons and get the name of the agent that says yes...as they sometimes try to "change" their minds...but, they aways come through in the end....also look at SUV's they provide the room but are usually a "little cheaper" and IMO easier to handle with kids. (doors on bothsides to access the little buggers easily with a good payload area for all the "stuff" that comes with kids!!!)....(but then I think most vans now have doors on both sides....been awhile since my kid-mobile days)

where do you live and where are you trying to go...sometimes there are other options for flying...ie I ck with the local airports and make sure there isn't some little airline that goes in there like Alligiant/Jet Blue/SWA are the first ones that come to my mind....they are the most competitive and SWA does not charge for luggage....and your gonna have a bunch of that...

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/16/2009 01:48:46 PM · #8

I'd rather travel with my kids than a dog any day...

If you're going to buy a van, rent one for this trip and see how you like it. Depending on how serious you are, you might be able to get one from a dealer, on the presumption that you'll purchase one from them. It's worth a try.

I rented a Mazda 5 (Think mini-minivan) for our summer trip to Missouri and it was great, unless one of the domestic automakers comes out with something comparable, that's my next vehicle. 25+ mpg and lots of room...well, more than the Focus. I've also rented larger sedans (I like the Dodge Charger) and they're comfortable too, but more expensive to fuel. Renting is good for long trips because if something goes wrong, you just call the rental company and they get you a new vehicle.

Ja-9

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/16/2009 01:59:31 PM · #9

Keep in mind that certain rental companies will charge you for over the state line travel...enterprise is one to avoid because of this....

Intelli

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

11/16/2009 02:07:47 PM · #10

Suck it up...squish yourself into the car, untill you can get what you want. =) If you have the funds, buy the mini-van.. or look into suv's.

If all the options weight the same as far as being a pain .. throw them in a hat and draw one out=) IMO..renting for $1000 would be out of the question for me.

so I would put these in the hat.. Squish into car, Buy new car, Amtrak, Borrow.

Nadine_Vb

Nikon D2X

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DL Macro for Nikon

11/16/2009 02:23:25 PM · #11

Would certainly not borrow the car/van from a friend/relative. What if the state is not ok? What if, let's pray not but you never know, you have an accident with the vehicle? Then you will be paying for a car which is not even yours, friendship risks going down the hill and friend/relative has no transportation any more. Not to speak about the way you and your family will make their way back home.
Could become a holiday in minor imho.

Option 1 seems the most logic one to choose, if funds are available of course.
Renting is, as has been said, money down the drain. Money you could use for your own van.

I'm sure you and your family will make the most ideal decision together.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

11/30/2009 10:10:44 AM · #12

Well ... the deal is done!

Anyone want to take a guess how we are getting there / what we did?

Hint: more decisions are necessary as a result =)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

11/30/2009 10:34:59 AM · #13

Originally posted by tate:

Well ... the deal is done!

Anyone want to take a guess how we are getting there / what we did?

Hint: more decisions are necessary as a result =)

Well I'd have guessed you bought a hybrid SUV, except what would be the "more decisions"? So I haven't a clue, actually...

R.

kleski

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

11/30/2009 10:38:51 AM · #14

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by tate:
Well ... the deal is done!

Anyone want to take a guess how we are getting there / what we did?

Hint: more decisions are necessary as a result =)

Well I'd have guessed you bought a hybrid SUV, except what would be the "more decisions"? So I haven't a clue, actually...

R.

My guess as well...the "more decisions" probably has something to do with purchase (perhaps options?)

11/30/2009 10:52:57 AM · #15

We went ahead and bought a new Hondy Odyssey. Extremely nice but pretty status quo as far as blending in. The main priorities being safety and reliability. In a few years, we might upgrade to a greener vehicle but this fits into our scenario now ...

One issue though is literally fitting it into our lives â�¦ Our driveway isn't too forgiving and only leaves us a few inches until we touch the house or the fence. I can only imagine trying to get through in some snow or ice. I would hate to bump the fence or God forbid: the house.

So being that this thing is much bigger than our little Civics, I'm considering keeping both cars (although I have a verbal agreement with a friend who wants to buy my car). The $ would help pay my wife back the down payment but I'm having second thoughts. The logisitics of having 3 cars increases insurance and makes child seats and overall space an issue though.

Life's fun - decisions decisions.