Traveling with teenagers...the prologue

It is almost time for another slightly wacky “Journey with Jane” (and Olen).

Our plans are to leave on Saturday (June 18) for a very special one-week trip. This time we are going to the northeast (where hopefully there will be some cooler weather!) for a week of hiking, biking, and sightseeing. This time we are taking our two oldest grandsons, Jacob and Bailey, with us. In years past we had our own teenagers to travel with us, but sadly they have all grown up and Olen and I have to borrow children to share experiences like this with.

It has been many years since we have traveled with two teenagers, and both boys are currently fourteen and in the “I-can-eat-the-wallpaper-off-the-walls-stage”, so it should be an educational trip for the boys, and for Olen and me. We are excited about it, and are looking forward to the week to share special experiences with our grandsons.

Baseball season is over. Jacob (left) and Bailey (right) are ready to explore Vermont and New Hampshire. Let the fun begin!

We are trying to help the boys learn the “pack light” travel rule at a young age, so we have asked them to pack their belongings for the week in backpacks, which they will be responsible for during the entire trip. We will be required to check one bag with the airline, though, since hiking poles are not allowed in carry-ons for security reasons. Because we were required to check the one bag, we are also taking a fold-up ice chest in the checked bag with us. That should be handy during the day for keeping snacks and chilled beverages.

We will fly from Huntsville to Detroit and eventually end up in Burlington, Vermont about noon on Saturday. After three nights in Burlington we will drive to Franconia, New Hampshire for one night, and then to White River Junction, Vermont for three more nights before driving to Manchester, New Hampshire to catch the flight home.

That is the plan, but of course weather changes could require schedule changes. We’ll try to roll with the punches and make the trip fun for the boys. We invite you to join us on this adventure where two senior citizens attempt to keep up with two teenage boys on biking routes and hiking trails in the backwoods of New England. Wish us luck.

It should be a great week! Come and join us….