Had dinner in Memphis, went to bed just over the border in Mississippi, currently in a rather empty part of Alabama: rolling hills, piney woods, humidity. The men are in a crazy hurry to get home. There isn't much to see here, but if it were up to me, both coming and going would be slower and more spontaneous. As it is, we are barreling through 3 states trying to do 10 hours and 50 minutes of driving before midnight.
Final thoughts about the trip:
1. I really like camping. I like going to sleep with a view of the stars and waking up cold (when that happens). I like trying to solve problems using whatever I have on hand. Water spilled on dirty clothes and we can't tie anything to a tree? The car has a lot of hooks and we have a lot of paracord. Pita chips crushed to bits? Terrific topping on a boring supermarket bagged salad. I like that every camp site is unique. It might be a parking lot, or you might be camping next to 900 year old ruins. I am tired of chain hotels.
1. I really like camping. I like going to sleep with a view of the stars and waking up cold (when that happens). I like trying to solve problems using whatever I have on hand. Water spilled on dirty clothes and we can't tie anything to a tree? The car has a lot of hooks and we have a lot of paracord. Pita chips crushed to bits? Terrific topping on a boring supermarket bagged salad. I like that every camp site is unique. It might be a parking lot, or you might be camping next to 900 year old ruins. I am tired of chain hotels.
2. I don't really understand the Southwest. But I am intrigued. I was startled by the complexity of the ancient civilizations and I began to see the beauty of the desert.
3. I will miss these family trips. We have another decade living with Ellie at home, but that is a different thing than kids-plural.
4. The national parks are unbelievable. We got into them all for free; didn't pay admission once, because Ellie is a 4th grader, and the "Every Kid in a Park" program allows every 4th grader and their family have a year's pass to all national parks. But nevermind the cost savings... we paid for a family pass 2 years ago and it was an $80 well spent. Thank you Teddy Roosevelt for Yellowstone and every American wonder that came afterwards. When we compare the frustration of finding out that giant meteor crater is privately owned, and would have been $72 for the family to visit to the incredible access to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion, not just free, but 24 hours a day as well...we are so grateful to our incredible national park system.
 |
| From our driveway, 9:45pm |
No comments:
Post a Comment