Taking this trip is like breathing a giant sigh of relief - like crossing things off of life's giant "to do" list. The kids have swam in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They have seen the Mojave Desert, the top of the Rocky Mountains, the places where both of their parents grew up, and several national parks. They have body surfed in Rincon, seen both the decadence of Vegas and the squalor of the southwest. They have tried new foods, stared in wonder at red-rock canyons, been chased by giant tortoises, and ridden in Walt Disney's car.
And they have done all of this - 3000 miles so far with the most amazing enthusiasm. There have been no handheld video games, no portable dvd players, no ipods - just books, friendship bracelet supplies, mad-libs, journals, and favorite CD's.
Most of our travel plans were made on expedia - and although I was a little creeped out by the $9 a night Vegas hotel, I was happy to spend $48, to stay at the Egyptian themed Luxor. Not only were we treated to a pristine ionized pool, sideways moving elevators, a scented outdoor hottub, and funky hiroglyphic decor - but we also got to stay inside the pyramid.
But apparently we were not the only nomads shopping expedia. The punks in front of us smelled of both B.O. and marijuana (and I only cal them that because they were wearing matching shirts that said "Yes I am a Punk"). The dreadlocked one had a patch that read "point of no return" placed strategically over the backside of his pants. I don't even know what it was supposed to mean, and pretty sure I don't want to.
There were young children carousing in the hotel lobby at 12:30am - most of them speaking French - most of their parents pissed that nobody else seemed to be able to. Even the French kids in strollers were yelling at somebody.
The barely 21 year-olds barely dressed, huddled together hiking their skirts up in case nobody had noticed them yet. It was even too much for fashion-concious Kooka who exclaimed - "for pete's sake - that doesn't even LOOK good - put some pants on!"
Oh well - I wanted them to see more of America . . . guess I got my wish.
Tonight we are hanging out in Nephi, Utah - Roberta's Roadside Retreat - it is the perfect roadtrip motel - we swam under the stars, ate raspberry ice cream and lemonade pie in the hottub, and and watched bad TV until most of us fell asleep.
1 comment:
Does being in Utah change your views on polygamy? How did you explain that one to P and K?
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