Okay... we did some things right, others wrong. Hope these notes help if you're headed along a similar route.

• Travel routes and accommodations go hand in hand when planning. Explore multiple options when researching highways as well as public transportation, then link to where you'll stay. This worked very well in Boston, as our interstate travel route ended a block away from our accommodation and within a two minute walk to the subway. Perfect spot!!!
• Me thinks that when you have family attractions in your schedule, they need to happen early in the day. We had super success with museums in Quebec City, the Toronto Zoo, CN Tower, and New England Aquarium first thing in the am (no lines, but busy inside).
• The next time I book I'll be making sure that each accommodation has a continental breakfast and lengthy pool hours.
• Once again we kept a log book to warehouse important travel documents. My book had an itinerary, budget, checklist, attraction and ticket confirmation numbers, copy of passports, reservations, specific maps as well as on site information to support visits. It also had a sealable plastic sleeve for tickets/receipts. It kept us very organized.
• Check with your card company before leaving so they know the card may be used abroad. Nothing worse than spending valuable travel time sorting out banking issues.
• We drove a long way, slightly over 4000 kms. To pull this off with a couple of youngsters took some doing. See below;
  • Next best thing to a GPS is google maps!!! Directions were great and reduced a lot of road stress.
  • When the wheels felt like they were coming off, it's a good sign that they were. We took time to get out and stretch/snack/bathroom/etc. at obvious points.
  • We kept a cooler at all times filled with water and goodies while maintaining a knapsack with healthy treats. Worked well on the longer car trips.
  • A DVD player helps on the "long haul".