The first year I went I drove up from St. Petersburg, FL. I drove up to Atl, GA and dropped the wife and kid with my parents and spent the first year at FF alone. The second year my wife asked to come and I thought why not? So she joined me and had a blast. Although we camped out that time and it was VERY VERY cold. Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Fattty for loaning us some blankets and we spent the second night in relative comfort. Now though the event is in a hotel, so the weather isn't much of a worry and the people are the friendliest around. Sure there's alot of trash talk, but it's all in good fun. As for the parents, you could always invite them to come along. Computers may not be their thing but there are plenty of other things going on. Also there are alot of people going from all over the country. If you decide to drive we have a few married couples that head up there from Athens, www.vi4life.com, and Atlanta, my wife and I. I'm sure there is someone that you could either carpool with or follow up the event from wherever you hail from. Hope it helps and good luck. Hope to see/meet you there.