The first time we drove across the country was 1958, from Cape Canaveral Florida to Los Angeles. We were pulling a trailer with my junk and the rear end on my car was making more and more threatening noises. We were newlyweds and I learned on that trip that my husband WOULD NOT cross the road to get food or check out a motel.

The next longest move was from Lancaster CA to New Orleans. That was 1963--the year we had 5 phone numbers due to moves. The"adventure" on that one was an accident outside of Las Cruces in which a bean-picker rear-ended the back of the boat, driving it off the trailer through the back window of the station wagon, and shoving the wagon slightly sideways into a moving van and significantly forward into a car on the shoulder. We were delayed a day on that one while the car radiator got repaired. (We had a second car that took us around town.)

Good Luck!!

Am I evil to suggest a portable DVD player and a pair of headphones?

That's a LOT of hours in the car for Damian, which will include boring highway time without much to see out the window.

Also it would be great for you to know that if you're in Motel 6, eating greasy road food, you have a nice movie to look forward to.

Maybe you can hook up with MB travelling in the opposite direction!

Sue, those sound like the kind of adventures I don't want to have! Happens, though, I'm sure. All the time. (And five phone #s in one year, wow.)

Allison, we've got better: Powerbook with both DVDs and computer games (and a car adapter). And we can each sit with him sometimes to play magnetic board games or read to him (or have him read to us!). But mostly I'm trying to plan a route that will maximize interesting scenery and lots of enjoyable stops. Because I'm worried about it too.

I wonder if MB's brood and our smaller crew will end up in the same vicinity at the same time? Sounds like it could happen...

My dad was a teacher and we spent many summers driving around the States. I feel so lucky we were able to do that. It'll be an excellent adventure!

I can recommend a really beautiful area between the Black Hills and Chicago if you're looking to get off the interstate. And you don't want to skip Madison, if you have a chance.

I am, of course, wondering if planning this brings back flashbacks to the last time you crossed the country by road -- at 16, in very different company :-)

As for stops along the way - Glober has relocated to Cincinnati, where the houses are bountiful and beautiful and I bet there's some space.....

Here's a link I saw on traveling or moving with pets in case it helps you...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/13/national/main695123.shtml?CMP=ILC-SearchStories

Like I told Dan, I wish you guys much luck & happiness with your move, job change, life change, etc., etc.

I'm excited for you and all of the possibilities ahead for you and Dan & Damian, Tamar! If you have any time to get together at all when you are in Chicago, let me know - we would love to see you!