While not as available (yet) as FRS/GMRS you might look into MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service)

MURS is VHF rather than the UHF of FRS/GMRS. This means more range in open terrain. Frequencies are just above the 2 meter ham band. And power is allowed up to 2 watts. (vs .5w of FRS) MURS does not require a license. (note: GMRS requires a license...$85/5yrs as I recall)

Also of interest is that MURS does not require a fixed antenna. Power output of 2 watts is measured at the transmitter, not the antenna. (ERP) This means that you can legally use an external/aftermarket antenna with gain. (including high-gain antennas such as a Yagi or Log-Periodic)

Since MURS is fairly unknown to most people the frequency space is much more open and will be more private.

Dakota Alert is probably the biggest brand name in MURS-specific radios right now. They are pretty available online from places such as Cabela's.

Obviously if range is the number-one concern getting your technician-class HAM license is the way to go. The exam is incredibly easy and cheap to take and pass. This is less of an option for a family/friends unless you are willing to get each of them licensed. Technician-class licenses have full HAM privileges for VHF+ (6m, 2m, 70cm, etc) and have some privileges in HF. (notably 10 meter) Morse code is no longer a requirement.

It is possible (in fact easy) to use a hand held HAM rig and a repeater to literally talk around the world. There are technologies (such as IRLP and EchoLink) that allow you to talk to the repeater and link that repeater to another repeater elsewhere via the internet.