It’s almost time for The Zoo to begin our annual road trip to Mexico. Our journey will have us cover 5,000 kilometres, over four days and touch three countries. We will be gone until sometime in April.
The first leg of our journey will begin next Tuesday when we head to Toronto. We will spend four days visiting with Family, Celebrating The Kids fifth birthday, Stopping by the Ontario Science Centre (where I haven’t been for at least 25 years) and then officially heading south on December 13.
As I’ve mentioned before, preparing for an extended road trip is a huge ordeal that takes at least three months of preparation and 43 lists (note that we have lists of lists). Since this will be our 17th trip (yes, 17th) and The Kids 9th, we know what we have to do and what to expect but that doesn’t account for the unplanned events. And there’s always a few of those.
Last week, our living room and kitchen got added to the list of rooms that are in a state of disarray (along with our two bedrooms) leaving only the dogs room that is cleaner than it’s been all year (guess where we store all of our stuff).
Fortunately, we only have to live like this for another week and The Kids don’t take very many things OUT of the boxes (although we always find a few extra things when we get to Mexico).
Life jackets for our extra day at the beach.
All the boxes are numbered so that we know what’s in any box at a glance. Did you notice the addition of “Puff the Magic Dragon”.
We bring 8 orange boxes, 2 Large Hockey Bags, a Day Bag, Computer Bags for Ed and I, each of the Kids bring a knapsack of toys and then there’s the rooftop carrier with two bikes (that we’ll leave there), a sun umbrella (can’t seem to find one down there) and anything else that will fit in the remaining 2cmx2cm space).
Have you ever been on an Extended Road Trip?
So exciting!!! 17 years!! That means we likely could have met in SC at some point!! 🙂 Looking forward to reading about your adventures!! Will your kids be trying a local school again?
Dear Brandee,
17 trips not 17 years 🙂 We first set eyes on the city in 2003. Where you there then?
Artemis is very excited about going to school and we’ve kept in (one-way) contact with her teacher. Max is still deciding whether he wants to go but he’s warming up to the idea if he gets to be with his sister (last year they were separated, I wrote a bunch of blog posts about it). Hoping the school is ready for us in January.
Let me know when you’re ready for another visit. We have an extra room…
Besos Sarah
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Oops!! In 2003 I was in Queretaro. I think we left Comitan in 2001. 🙂 So long ago!! Seriously where does time go!! I remember reading about your kids school experiences. Hopefully they will both love it this year!! Safe journey!
“Mike” here. You know, “”Uncle Mike”?
I didn’t notice “Saying Goodbye to “Uncle Mike”” on your Itinerary???
Dear “Uncle Mike”,
Busted.
Besos Sarah.
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Wow, I’m impressed!!! You must have it down pat after 17 times. Can not even begin to imagine the planning you must do. I forget stuff all the time, even with my lists. Or I forget where I put the list. lol. Looking forward to reading about your life in Mexico. Safe travels.
Dear Elizabeth,
Never a dull moment with The Zoo, no matter where we are. Thanks for the well wishes.
Besos Sarah
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Definitely pays to be organized! Safe travels!!
Oh wow! That is an EPIC road trip! EPIC! But 17 times – you have it down don’t you?!
Best wishes, blessings, and safe travels for you.
Enjoy.
xoxo
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…DIY Rock Nativity
I love to drive but I have never maid that extensive a trip. The stuff, the kids, the pets and you would see me throwing myself out of the car lol. Be safe have fun
Hard to believe it’s that time of year already… where did the time go?!
Looking forward to another journey vicariously through you. 😀
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Woah, that’s a lot of planning! I’m sure the kids excitement of seeing their friends down South makes it all worth it though. Not to mention the warmth
Can’t wait to read your posts from down there. Wonder if there’ll be any fish waiting for the kids, lol. Hope you guys have an awesome Christmas. (Not sure why but only half my message went through. Happens onother sites too. Hmm???)
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Have a wonderful time!
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I am so excited for you!! I hope you have a safe journey and a great time there and I will miss you as well. I love how you do this and I can’t even imagine it with kids. Good luck!!
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Dear Paula,
You’ll only be rid of me for a week during our drive South. Then if everything goes according to plan (hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, sorry, where was I?), we’ll have high speed internet at home.
Thanks for the well wishes and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Besos Sarah
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Don’t forget the 4 people and 2 dogs that also have to fit into the ONE vehicle that you take. Amazing. You should write and ad for the company who made your van – that’s a lot of stuff to fit!
The longest road trip I have ever taken is from Saskatoon down through Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Washington again back though BC, AB and home to SK.
A friend and I did a 2 week camping/hotels/motels city and countryside gastro and vino tour, it was awesome.
However, the trip almost didn’t happen because at the border (SK/Montana – North Portal Entry) the USA customs officer wouldn’t believe that there were vineyards in Oregon, Washington and BC – exactly where we were planning on going. She even refused to look at all the pamphlets I had on hand – which I though was a bit hard headed. Finally she let us through, at the behest of her partner I think. When we began to pull away, I realized we had a lemon in the cooler… what a coup… I told my friend, step on it – we have an alien fruit! Could you imagine if she had found that?
Dear Jen,
Only once have we had problems getting into any country. It was the USA and the guard was convinced that we wanted to move there permanently. We waited for 45 minutes, showed every single piece of paper and finally, for whatever reason, they let us in. Glad that I’m not on the “brought in an alien fruit” list because that’s serious 😉
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Adoption Does Not Define Me #AdoptionAwareness
I have to say, I am so envious that you are able to live in Mexico (with school age kids!) for the winter months… It sounds like such a great experience for all of you. 🙂 Safe travels and looking forward to reading your posts from the sunny warm side of Mexico!
Dear Soozle,
We are very fortunate to get to lead the lifestyle that we do. Thanks for stopping by and looking forward to “seeing you in Mexico”.
Besos Sarah.
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I know that I’m looking forward to reading your reports of what life throws at you whilst you are away. You often have me in stitches 🙂 It’s a very long trip so be safe, enjoy Mexico and hopefully school will be fun for the kids and there will no unforeseen calamities.
We have done a 3 month trip & yes lots of work to prepare—but worth it
I can’t wait to start reading your stories all about your interesting adventures on this trip.. I mean wait, everything will go smoothly for you this trip…RIGHT!!
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I haven’t but I remember packing like that when I moved here, I couldn’t do it every year!
Have you ever just taken your time going there, or thought about it and did some site seeing? Anyways, I can’t believe you make the drive in three days, that is just insane. Wishing you safety and fun.
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Dear AlwaysaRedhead,
For the first time (in 17 trips), we will be making a half-day stop on the way down. Plan is to stop at Lake Catemaco but you know what they say about plans… We should be in San Cristobal de las Casas on December 18. You’ll know when we’re there.
Besos, Sarah.
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Safe, happy, adventurous, travels to you and Ed and the kiddos!
Can’t wait to hear your latest!
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We have travelled with our two youngest children along with another couple and their children in separate trailers. We went to Sebago Lake in Maine and stayed there for a couple of weeks. The children loved it and I must admit I liked it as well. The weather was fine(August). The swimming was suberb and we loved the camping and being in the woods. Of course, when travelling in a trailer, it is easier to store supplies. I hope your exodus is going well.
Sarah, my friend
Have a safe and very Happy trip. I miss you. Peace and Love to you for 2015. Please be sure to give the beauties a hug from me. xoxo <3 <3
Safe travels! Looking forward to reading about all of your adventures!
Dear Kirsten,
Thanks for following along. It’s never a dull moment at The Zoo.
Besos Sarah.
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