Do you want to take a summer vacation, but have no idea where to go?

Tired of plane, train, and hotel reservations? You want to avoid long hours in line at the airport and flight delays.

Do you prefer to avoid the expense of hotels, motels and expensive resorts?

You want an unusual vacation without the stretch to the wallet but still want to make it fun and adventurous, so how do you make it happen?

Take a driving tour! There are hundreds of scenic drives in America alone. Some are the length of twenty-five miles while others are hundreds of miles, while some are only a few miles but worth the trip. Combine several driving tours into one big vacation.

So how do you get started?

First, you need a good map of all fifty states, preferably a detailed travel map that shows all the special sites and terrain. Buy one specifically for driving tours so you will be able to differentiate between interstates, highways, biways, county roads, forest roads and the out outback with no guarentee of paving, lack of landslides, or even a way through. For this occasion, consider an all terrain vehicle!

For your family, consider a comfortable vehicle. This should be the second item on your itinerary in making preparations for the trip.

* Get your vehicle inspected for faulty parts. Make sure you have a current oil change, a good battery and alternator, the radiator is flushed and filled with the proper amout of anti-freeze.

* Most important perhaps are the tires. Be sure the tires are in excellent condition with lots of good high country and rough terrain tread.

*By a good spare and a jack if you do not have one.

*Pack an essential tool kit, extra water, flares, flashlights with lots of batteries, extra blankets and extra clothing.

*Pack the cell phone and car charger.

*Bring plenty of non perishable food to include dehydrated fluid rehydration packets, dried fruits and nuts, oatmeal, and power bars. Don't forget the raisins and banana chips. They are great during a long drive or hike on a hot summer day and they will endure when other foods will perish.

* Last but not least, don't forget the first aid pack and all family medication, if any. No one wants to get sick or injured on a family vacation, but it is always good to be prepared for anything.

Grab yourself a regular tablet with or without lines, and start writing down the names of places that you would like to go.

Don't know where to begin.....here are some ideas. Don't worry, you can narrow down the list later and use this brainstorming tablet to develop your vacation driving tour plans.

* Think of a state or site that you always wanted to see, like the Grand Canyon or Disnsey Land or Niagara Falls. It doesn't matter where you live or how far you might have to drive. This vacation is all about the trip, after all, so the most important part of the trip is the route you plan for the journey.

* Was there someplace in your childhood to which you always wanted to return? Those childhood family vacations can be so magical! List more than one and turn the page if you need more space to write.

Be very nostalgic. Keep writing. List all those places that come to mind. Exercise the memory and think of sights and sounds and smells or that old car that Grandpa used to drive. some of these brainstorming notes will make an excellent addition to your journal while you're on this trip.

* Think of a restaurant where you would like to eat. Think of a dozen or one hundred of them.

*Think of a unique coffee shop or old fashioned diner that you read about or heard about from someone.

* Now, consider beaches, lakes, rivers, streams, rivers and waterfalls. This all figures into the equation when planning your driving route. And, this list will help you decide what else to pack!