Hannibal, Illinois- birthplace of Mark Twain
This was as spontaneous of a trip as you can get when you have two kids. Discouraged by the price of plane tickets, we decided to drive out to Idaho, which is a 24 hour trip. We reasoned that since our family isn't getting any smaller and neither are plane ticket prices, this is probably going to become our necessary mode of transportation in the future.
Steve and I had made the trip once before when we moved out here and all I could remember was the heat (I had to drive the car with no air conditioning because Steve doesn't know how to drive stick) and the desire to never live in Wyoming. It took us 3 days to drive to Champaign from Utah and we stayed at KOA campgrounds on the way because we had so much stuff tied to the top of my car...and maybe because we were total cheapskates. By the end, I bought a bag of ice that I held and ate at the same time.
This time we were only driving one car making it a 2 day trip and our car had air conditioning, but I assumed with the addition of kids that they would cancel each other out. Nadia hates being in the car, even just to run errands, so I was justifiably concerned. Miraculously, she cried very little and the trip was much easier than I expected. I still never want to live in Wyoming though. The few interesting rock formations are not worth it.
So for all of you contemplating a similar trip the benefits of driving versus flying are as follows:
-no weight requirements on luggage
-you can pull over when the kids are fussy
-less stressful than going through the airport
-CHEAPER
-you spend a lot of time alone with your thoughts, which for me was a nice change of pace
-family bonding- you may think this is a crazy thing to say. When it came time to head back home after our vacation was over, I was sighing about the long trip ahead of us. Steve turned and looked at me and said "Well, I'm excited about spending the next 12 hours with you." Sweet of him and a good reminder for me to look on the bright side. So much of life depends upon perspective- an area I obviously have need of improvement.
When I was a kid, we drove everywhere. The only time I flew was during a trip to Mexico, but otherwise the majority of my family vacations were accomplished by driving somewhere. My mom's business also keep us traveling quite a bit, to the point that I was home schooled one year while I traveled around Western Canada with her. It was so nostalgic for me to be doing the same thing with my own children. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but this trip was a happy memory for me.
The "alone with my thoughts" part. Yes, I took pictures while driving, but can you seriously blame me for wanting to capture this moment? I should have taken more- Nadia screaming her head off, the kids were just laughing at silly stuff, Rowan playing "I spy with my little eye", etc.
It was interesting to reflect on what the Saints went through on their trek across the country. This was especially helpful to remember when I was tired of driving. Hannibal, Illinois was our first rest stop and one of my favorites. To think of the pioneers crossing the Mississippi nearby, along with so many other treacherous areas that we passed, was humbling to say the least.
I have to say, I'm still in shock that she didn't run right into the fountain.
I'm in the midst of reading the journals of Lewis and Clark, which was really cool to see some of the same terrain that they traveled along. I find myself conflicted reading that book. Part of me is annoyed at the arrogance of these men calling on the natives to respect their "new Old Father" or however they put it. On the other hand, the Indians were so savage and unorganized. They lived to fight and steal from one another, without much progression or desire to improve their livelihood. Anyways, an interesting read if you are up for it.
The wonders of I-80- Random statues of Lincoln.
No comments:
Post a Comment