Thank you for the info. I'm really hoping this trip ends up happening! I'm not sure if the weather will be all that great at the end of March, but it's when our spring break is, and if it's bad weather then that's good for DD to know too. She knows what CO cold feels like but it's arid here (today I was out shoveling 6" of snow in 25 degree weather with just a long sleeve top and jeans) compared to whatever the humidity is like out there.
The Hyatt resort looks really nice and I'm looking at it as a treat as the end of our trip. Should I bring binoculars? I checked into a local HP yesterday for my 2nd mattress run. After the nights post, we'll be Globalist, and I'll have an extra Cat1-4 night that I'm hoping to use for another night at the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay. I was able to split the charges on both my and DH's Amex Greens with the Amex Offer for $60 off $300. That might even end up finishing off my MSR on the Green which would be nice.
I ordered it from EZPass Massachusetts since I could get the transponder for free and the minimum load was $20. I can't find any info about them cancelling it for non-use though. I was also checking out the NC Quick Pass which covers all the 15 EZPass states plus GA, FL, and NC and HOV lanes in the DC area but their website clearly said each car needed to have its own transponder (with the EZPass Mass I can switch the license plate associated with the transponder so I can use it in a rental car) and there was a monthly $1 charge for non-use after 24 months. I guess each state has its own policies regarding EZPass, which made it challenging to decide on an EZPass program when I don't live in one of the EZPass states!
The weather can go either way. It could be beautiful cherry blossom weather in DC or cold, rainy, windy. Won't know til we get there. Near the water it will be cold and damp, but with sun there can be some pleasant hours.
I have a Delaware State EZ pass, and it allows me to have all our 4 cars on it (they allow up to 8) so I carry it with me. If I forget it, eventually the toll gets matched to my tag and gets deducted from my account. I've had it forever and acquired it at an office on route 1 in Delaware when I drove through an entrance to the highway in the wrong/non pay lane, so when I stopped and bought the transponder, it took care of the fine.
It's so old I'm surprised it still works when I use it. It gets used a couple of times each month. I don't know the costs now for acquiring it as it's been so long. It reloads $25 for me which usually is enough.
Maryland actually provides transponders for free to Maryland residents, and sooner or later I'll get one here. The in state tolls are cheaper. The cost of road and bridge tolls were actually reduced here in the last few years. Overall, for the amount I use it, it's only a couple of $$'s. They have them available at department of Motor Vehicles and next time I have to go, I'll pick up the package.
@HoosierJohn - Virginia's EZ pass caused some stir last year when they started canceling people's accounts for non use. It was all over the news. I think people that had the problem and wanted to keep their account just had to contact EZ pass and got it straightened out. That's not the norm in general with the service.
And, to keep this on credit cards and travel, I keep one of my lesser used credit cards on the account to trickle feed it.
