Help Needed

Here is the "note" I posted on my Facebook page to solicit friends for help and a free place to stay to keep costs down while we trek across the United States next spring:

This road trip idea got started when my mom visited my little sister and her family in their new home in Burbank, CA in June 2008. Mom went out to help Nichole and David for five weeks after their daughter Violet was born. Mom totally fell in love with Nichole's neighborhood, and got it in her mind to sell her house in Nanjemoy, MD, pack up, and head west (like I did in 1996, but I stopped in Colorado Springs). She already picked out a house she wanted to buy!

After the death of my dad in July 2007 (they would've celebrated 46 years of marriage last October), mom's mental health issues, which run on her side of the family, have become even more pronounced. I discounted the idea as mom being in a "valley," saying she'd "snap out of it" once she reached a summit and saw the light. While IMing my older sister Michelle the other night, I discovered she was driving Mom and Grandma to CA over the week of Thanksgiving!

Obviously, I underestimated Mom's determination, even after threats from Michelle to have her declared "incompetent" by the family doctor. Michelle and Mom had reached a compromise: instead of selling everything and moving, she would allow Mom to live in CA for 6 months beginning in November, but Mom had to return to MD in the spring. Michelle was looking for a volunteer to drive Mom and Grandma home in May/June, so being "unemployed," I jumped at the chance. However, based on my present financial situation, I asked if she thought Mom could cover my airfare from CO to CA, then from MD to CO once I got her safely home. Michelle said she'd ask Mom, but said, "Whatever it takes."

While talking to Mom on the phone last night, I asked her if she'd like to extend the trip by a few days and take in some sights, making it an "Official Road Trip," especially since I love to drive and see the countryside. Besides, if we're going to drive from one coast to the other, it would be foolish not to take advantage of this opportunity by seeing some famous landmarks along the way.

I told Mom how I had seen a show on PBS about a woman who had taken her mother on a similar trip along Route 66. It was a great vacation for them, they got to do a lot of fun stuff, and the time spent together strengthened the mother-daughter bond. Yup, my bond with my mother could use some strengthening, and my grandmother being with us would be even better! I think the "captive audience" scenario could do us some good. Or make us hate each other so much that we'd never speak to each other again! LOL!

Mom liked the idea, so I told her I'd get online and research some places to visit and things to do along the way that weren't too expensive, especially since the Burbank rental home was going to drain her savings. As long as we were back in MD by my daughter's graduation in late May, then things should be fine. (This also means a free trip to MD for me to see my daughter walk across the stage! It's a win-win situation for all of us!)

I just Mapquested (2,682 miles, 40 hours, 40 minutes) and Googled (2,710 miles, 40 hours) the route and discovered our main highway will be Interstate 40 for the majority of the trip, taking us through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. I've also found several great Web sites on road trip planning.

Being a writer and photographer (guess I'd better get a new camera now to replace my semi-broken CyberShot!), I can see how this can develop into a magazine travel article, or for women's magazines. I do believe I'll start a blog, too! I can see that the new camera will need video capability to enhance the blog experience! Hmm...maybe I should start sending out query letters now and find some sponsors? It's a thought! I can even write it off as business expenses if it goes to print (if I pay for it, of course)!

We'll be loaded down with directions and a road atlas, using my husband's CB radio, plus I have a GPS Navigator in my cell phone (hmm, perhaps I could contact Verizon about some sponsorship/advertising?) so we won't get lost (extremely important for those of us who are directionally challenged!). Maybe I can start up a "Road Trip Fund?" I can have someone (my son?) build a Web site (another perfect sponsorship/advertising opportunity)! I'll be getting a AAA membership for safety and to take advanage of their road-trip-planning services (more ads/sponsor?).

Bear with me, I'm brainstorming, here.

So...all my friends out there in Facebook Land...is there anyone along the way who could "put us up" for a night or two so that we can see the sights (you can be our tour guide, of course). This will help with our expenses, and with the way gas prices are going (hopefully they'll remain low!), we need all the help we can get. We'd be willing to take detours if it's not too far off the beaten path and well worth the trip. And if some of my old classmates can take us in, that'll be even better--we'll get a chance to reminisce about good times in high school! Not to mention you'll be on my blog and/or article! Hey! Maybe PBS will want to do another show! LOL!

So please, let me know any and all sights to see/avoid, other Web sites to use, cheap restaurants to try, fun things to do, events to attend, gift/antique stores to shop, and if you can welcome us into your home for an overnight stay (or recommend affordable, nice hotels), that would be HUGELY appreciated! I'll be sure to mention your name on my blog/in my article if we use your advice!

Thanks a bunch to all, and stay tuned for further information!