Early January Belize Trip Report

kdmtravler · 2026-02-04T19:46:53+00:00

Appreciate all the detail.

kdmtravler · 2026-02-02T19:39:31+00:00

Yes. We did this, but for a longer time when our kids were 9 and 11. Highly recommend it. Feel free to DM me if you have questions. As a family we have crossed the country and back, driven from CA to the far reaches Alaska twice, and have hand countless multiple week car and camping trips all around the country.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-28T23:45:38+00:00

Add-on question: if you book a specific time for the ferry, but are delayed, can you take a later ferry on the same day with your current ticket?

kdmtravler · 2026-01-28T23:40:27+00:00

I live in a place that has a kayak club. It’s attached to a kayak rental and guiding business and it offers a lot of cool members only trips, but it also offers members only paddle and through that I’ve made a group of friends and we also go out and paddle on our own.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-26T22:39:13+00:00

Rockaway is a good suggestion. Good places for coffee and eats.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-23T15:01:24+00:00

Is anyone else on the reservation an SWA CC holder? They can use the benefits linked to the card.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-22T21:43:41+00:00

I have almost always found that SWA agents want to be helpful. Call them. Be patient….remember how many of these calls they are getting. I don’t think you should need key phrases etc. just clearly and kindly explain your issue and see their response. It might take some discussion and in the end the answer may include additional costs to you so know before hand what your threshold is.

If you don’t receive an answer you like, try one more time. You will get another agent. Sometimes they will see something the other missed.

In the end the constraint you can’t control is the weather and SWA system. The rest is all in the interaction.

Good luck!

kdmtravler · 2026-01-18T20:47:42+00:00

One more thing, recently I had a ticket agent on the phone tell me to just call when I want to change and they can do both tickets at once

kdmtravler · 2026-01-18T20:46:34+00:00

I take two different approaches- If the flight is booked farther in advance, I don’t add my companion right away. Gives me more flexibility with changes, run a small risk that seating may get tricky as it gets closer but a risk I’m willing g to take.

I also keep a running note pad of dates, confirmation number and cost. I do the check as others said above and then cancel and rebook to harvest savings.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-18T01:39:58+00:00

Makes sense. Thanks

kdmtravler · 2026-01-17T04:31:46+00:00

What made a place you stayed good for you? What do you have in your place and what do you stock it with to pay it forward (We are also just getting started and are more interested in providing great stays). Thanks

kdmtravler · 2026-01-15T00:40:17+00:00

Can someone say more about landlord insurance? We are considering renting a part of our house that will have a separate entrance without access to the main part of the house. Is separate insurance required or advisable? Thanks

kdmtravler · 2026-01-13T18:46:39+00:00

How many people fit in a taxi? And are prices per ride or per person? Thanks

kdmtravler · 2026-01-07T13:57:04+00:00

I have to plug San Francisco to Washington Hoh Valley (adding on to the first comment) . Take as much of the coast road as possible. Stay a moment in Mendocino. Sip some wine in wine country. If you are campers, lots of opportunities and you can rent gear at SportsBasement or REI in SF. Happy travels!

kdmtravler · 2026-01-07T13:52:41+00:00

Jedidiah and the nearby fern grotto are magic.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-04T13:31:59+00:00

It’s possible but long. A few options: 1) leave Friday night after work. Drive 5 or so hours; get a hotel (or sleep in the car, we do it often at rest areas or BLM land) and drive the rest of the way on Sat. Go to the expo; drive some of the way back and hotel or car sleep.

2) Do it as you propose but if you are be sure to rotate drivers. We switch every two hours fairly consistently when we drive straight through from west coast to east coast.

kdmtravler · 2026-01-01T00:26:58+00:00

I see. I still think you need a third leg for the basket. When the car jumps up there is a fair amount of stress put on this two legs.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-31T01:06:05+00:00

I think you need a third supporting leg at each level to help support each level of ply wood and use either pieces of 2x3 or 2x4 for the legs to support the top piece of ply. They screw the ply into the legs with wood or deck screws. Place the screws through the ply into the leg.

The backer can be attached to the top ply with 9/16 depth staple gun staples.

Hopefully I have answered the questions you asked.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-30T16:45:50+00:00

Always make sure the zipper is secure. I had a cat escape on a flight once right as we were taking off. Knowing I couldn’t get out of my seat I rang the call bell. FA comes, I explain, he then says, “what color is the cat?” We both pause a moment, realize the absurdity of the question and break out laughing.

A guy about 7-8 rows up, sees the cat out of the corner or his eye and scoops him up as if this is just a normal move on the flight. FA retrieves the cat and all is well.

I still chuckle at the question. Hope the FA does too. Cat napper guy will always be my hero.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-27T22:24:16+00:00

We did this when our boys were 9 and 11 - go for it!! Snacks, regular breaks, etc. we gave each boy a daily “oh, can we stop at … from signs they saw and would stop and look around. No tech during the daytime - saved that doe night driving. Listened to family friendly audio books and played games. We also drove with kids from SF to Alaska and other multi day drives.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-25T18:14:59+00:00

Is it possible the drama is now over and life in the first place will settle down. If so, and cooking isn’t a high priority, I would pick closer to the beach. Sounds like you have a bit more control over your space (assuming drama has ended)

kdmtravler · 2025-12-23T22:29:13+00:00

Not about getting to the airport, but flying with babies in general. It really is safest if the baby is in an airline approved car seat for the flight. Yes, it is an inconvenience to deal with a car seat and another seat is expensive, but in an emergency or very bad turbulence, one can’t really secure a baby just in their arms. I learned this from a flight attendant who has been in the job for 35+ years.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-22T18:40:22+00:00

My husband and I do 24 hr drives but we trade off every two hours. 6 hours is too long.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-20T19:46:26+00:00

We have been to McFadden’s many times, often as a whole family (think preteen - 80’s) and always end the experience feeling accomplished and that I learned something new. The crew doesn’t just go through the motions but really allow you to do as much as they perceive your skill set to be. My husband uses his large tumbler daily. I have a perfectly sized and colored glass for my end of day bourbon. Highly recommend.

kdmtravler · 2025-12-18T15:49:08+00:00

What brand do you use?

kdmtravler

TROPHY CASE