Some families do backyard cookouts for their reunions. Others rent out a banquet hall. But for our family—43 people strong, including 17 kids—we wanted something more memorable. So, we settled on Tucson, Arizona, as our meeting point, and from there, we’d charter a private bus for a road trip to the Grand Canyon, complete with an overnight stay in a hotel.
What followed was two days of organized chaos, heartfelt moments, and enough memories to last a lifetime. If you’ve ever thought about planning a multi-generational family road trip, here’s a taste of what you can expect—and a few lessons we learned along the way.
The Tucson Meet-Up: Where the Fun (and Logistics) Began
Coordinating 43 people coming from different states was no small feat. Some of us flew into Tucson International Airport, while others arrived by car from nearby cities. The first challenge? Getting everyone in one place at the same time.
We booked a large kid-friendly hotel in Tucson to serve as our gathering point. As expected, the first few hours were filled with the usual family reunion antics:
- Someone lost their suitcase at baggage claim—turns out, they had just walked past it three times.
- One of the kids immediately spilled juice on the lobby carpet before we even checked in.
- A heated debate broke out over who’s gotten taller since the last reunion.
Despite the mild chaos, there was something beautiful about seeing everyone together. Grandparents reconnecting with grandkids, cousins meeting for the first time, and siblings reminiscing about family trips from years past.
Once everyone had arrived and settled, we held a family dinner and went over the itinerary. The plan was simple:
- Depart early the next morning by chartered bus.
- Drive five hours to the Grand Canyon, making a couple of rest stops along the way.
- Spend the day exploring, then check into our hotel for the night.
- Return to Tucson the next evening.
We knew traveling with 17 kids was going to be an adventure, but at least we were prepared. Or so we thought.
Hitting the Road: Five Hours of Family Bonding (and Snack Wars)
We were up before sunrise, gathering in the hotel lobby, ready to start our adventure. The chartered bus was waiting outside—a spacious, comfortable coach, complete with reclining seats, a restroom, and plenty of overhead storage for our mountain of snacks and gear.
The driver, a true professional, took one look at our lively bunch and simply nodded. Clearly, he’d seen it all before.
Once everyone was settled, we hit the road, and within ten minutes, the real adventure began.
- The first “I’m hungry” came at mile marker five.
- The kids started an off-key Disney sing-along that lasted an impressive 45 minutes.
- Someone dropped a granola bar, sparking an intense debate over the five-second rule.
- The adults tried to sip coffee and relax but were roped into playing “guess that movie soundtrack.”
Despite the usual road trip antics, the bus ride was smooth. We made a couple of planned rest stops, giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs, grab extra snacks, and let the kids burn off some energy.
By the time we got back on the bus, even the rowdiest of the group started to settle down, gazing out the window as the Arizona landscape transformed from desert plains to towering rock formations.
The Grand Canyon: The Moment of Awe (and a Few Close Calls)
As we pulled into Grand Canyon National Park, the entire bus fell silent for a moment. The view was breathtaking, even for those who had been here before.
Once off the bus, we split into groups—some went for short hikes, others just soaked in the views. Of course, keeping track of 17 kids near one of the world’s most famous cliffs wasn’t exactly stress-free.
At one point, one of the younger cousins tried to chase a squirrel, leading to a dramatic mid-air grab by an uncle with the reflexes of a pro athlete.
The older kids, meanwhile, were busy taking hundreds of selfies, trying to get the perfect shot. Grandma, unimpressed, muttered, “We’re at one of the greatest wonders of the world, and they’re staring at their phones.”
Despite the minor chaos, the experience was magical. The vastness of the canyon, the warm glow of the late afternoon sun, and the realization that we were sharing this moment as a family made it all worth it.
Overnight Stay: Hotel Comfort and Late-Night Storytelling
After a long day of exploring, we were more than ready to check into our hotel, located near the Grand Canyon. It was nothing fancy, but it had everything we needed—comfortable rooms, hot showers, and a lobby big enough for our group to gather.
Once everyone got their room keys, the real challenge began—coordinating room assignments. The kids wanted to bunk together, the grandparents wanted peace and quiet, and the parents were just trying to make sure no one started a pillow fight in the hallway.
After settling in, we met in the hotel’s common area for a relaxed evening. No campfires, no wilderness survival stories—just good old-fashioned family bonding over takeout pizza and reminiscing about the day’s events.
The kids played card games, the adults scrolled through the hundreds of photos taken, and we all laughed at the little mishaps that had already become part of family legend.
Some of us turned in early, exhausted from the day’s adventure, while others stayed up late, sipping coffee and sharing stories.
The Journey Back: Exhaustion, Laughter, and Unbreakable Bonds
The next morning, we packed up, had a hearty breakfast at the hotel, and boarded the bus for Tucson.
The return trip was much quieter—a sign of a successful adventure. The kids, finally tired out, dozed off one by one. The adults had time to chat, share highlights from the trip, and soak in the last few hours together.
When we rolled back into Tucson that evening, we were exhausted but grateful.
We had seen one of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders, but more importantly, we had created memories that we would cherish forever.
Lessons from the Trip: What We Learned About Family Travel
If you’re thinking about planning a big family reunion trip, here are a few key takeaways:
- Charter a Bus – In our case, we used Diamond Transportation, which made our trip stress-free and enjoyable. No one had to drive, and we could all travel together.
- Plan for Pit Stops – If you’re traveling with kids, scheduled breaks are a must. Choose stops with restrooms, food, and space to stretch.
- Pack Plenty of Snacks – Hungry kids (and adults) are grumpy travelers. Bring a variety of snacks to keep everyone happy.
- Use a Buddy System – If traveling with a big group, assign kid-adult pairs to ensure everyone stays together.
- Book a Hotel in Advance – Lodging near the Grand Canyon fills up fast, so plan ahead to get a spot that works for your group.
- Build in Downtime – While sightseeing is great, some of the best moments happen when everyone is just relaxing together.
Would we do it again? Absolutely.
Would we do it next year? Ask us after we recover.
This family reunion was more than just a trip—it was a celebration of family, love, and adventure. And if you’re considering a trip like this, our advice is simple: Go for it. The chaos is worth it.
Leave A Comment