This last 4th of July weekend Andy, Vienna and I took our first road trip in two years. Andy was one day pining that we might not take another road trip again as a family since Vienna is engaged and an adult and in college and all those things that so often mark the transition away from family adventures with your parents - ok I have to stop that or I'll start crying. Anyway, Andy was pining this potential loss when Vienna piped in that she was up for a road trip. So, we put our heads together and after rejecting a few destinations, came up with one we could all agree on - Bryce Canyon in Southern Utah.
Southern Utah is, in my opinion, the most beautiful region in the entire world - at least so far as I have seen. It actually gives me a feeling of true awe - not the kind of the modern vernacular of "awesome, dude" but the kind of awe you would have if you were in the presence of angels. The scenery of huge red cliffs, monoliths and buttes towering over you is completely captivating. This trip, I was completely surprised, though by the 30-mile stretch of interstate 15 that cuts across the northwest corner of Arizona. I'd never noticed how beautiful the mountains were and you seem to wind right through them with no effort at all as they surround you as you go.
Plus, I absolutely love travelling in Utah. As a Mormon that has never lived there, I just love seeing the beehives on the state road signs and knowing what they mean. I loved the time I was walking through a small Utah town and saw a shop window decorated with a tree covered in popcorn and thinking "I get that!". It's just fun.
So, Thursday night we piled into the car and started the 14-hour drive. I won't give you too much detail about the trip. You can get that on Andy's blog if you like. But, anticipating the days ahead and the hours spent together was exciting and relaxing at the same time. It wasn't always like that for me, though.
Andy, Vienna and I have been on a lot of roadtrips - almost every year since 1996. Andy has created websites or blogs about most of those (I'll put some links below). When we first started doing roadtrips, I was not a fan. In fact, I put up quite a fight for a good 10 years or so. Fighting because they were a hassle, took time out of my oh-so-exciting life of work (sensing my sarcasm?) and meant less time for me at home - and for a homebody like me that's a big deal. I felt like I was taking time away from my goals and the money we spent couldn't be spent on what I wanted for myself.
But a few years ago something changed. I'm not sure what it was but I think it went along with a lot of other changes that were happening that I won't go into here. (I'm trying to keep this post light-hearted.) Somehow I realized that my job was just a way to earn money so I could have a home and do things with my family - that is literally why I had a job at all. I started caring less about how much time I took off work - who cares if I have to take time off without pay? All that pay is for anyway is to be able to do things just like this so stop worrying about it. Once I let go of the stress of taking time off of work, the other stresses went away and I started to not only enjoy the trips, because I always enjoyed them, but started looking forward to them more and being excited for the time with my family.
Then, I started realizing all of the amazing things we have seen on the road of the magnificent country. There is literally no part of this country that isn't wonderful for one reason or another. The South has such charm, fantastic BBQ and a homey feel you don't get in other places (and I really want to explore Louisiana more - what a different culture, there!). The northeast has amazing cities, lakes and gorgeous color in the fall. The mid-west has just so many trees and things that you don't expect- like the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. A building made of corn husks! Go figure! The northwest has vast expanses of sky and Andy's favorite landmark, Devil's Tower in Wyoming. And of course the Southwest is probably my favorite with deserts, mesas, native american food and culture, Joshua trees and Suaro cacti. Andy and I have been to every state in the lower 48 and Hawaii. And Andy's even been to Alaska - I can't wait until I can go via the Alaskan highway. How many people can say that?
And then there's the pop-culture that is always imbued in whatever locale you're in: the cowboy culture of Texas and the west, Route 66 which has probably more pop-culture icons associated with it than any other landmark in the country, the nautical theme that permeates Maine and the Northeast, and the New England states with American History represented in names, signs and businesses everywhere. And did I mention Louisiana? The French/Cajun culture is completely unique to anywhere else in the country. We truly have a great country.
I guess I've been all over the place in this post but my bottom line is this - if you haven't been out there, GET OUT THERE! Get on the road! If someplace is less than 2 days drive then don't take a plane - pack the car and go! You can't see the country from the air. You can maybe make out the plots of farm-land in different colors, but you can't see the trees and plants up close and guess what's being grown from that tiny window on the plane. If the thought of spending hour after hour in a car bores you just thinking about it, then remember that it is time with your family that you'd never have otherwise with everyone's hectic lives. You get to see so many beautiful things if you just watch out the window. A boring desert isn't boring when you contemplate what kinds of plants and animals can survive there, what it must feel like to walk through it (don't be afraid to get out and find out, either!), and the giant mountains that are coming up right in front of you.
And, there's always the opportunities to stop at the roadside diners, tourist traps and shops. Not only do they break up a long trip but you can get close to the local communities and people that make a trip memorable.
So, now when I take a roadtrip with my family, I am reminded of how grateful I am to my Father in Heaven for all that he has given us in this world - the beauty and variety, the people and my family. We really do live in a great land that has so much to see. I hope that if you haven't already, you can get out there and see it too!
Here are some of our previous roadtrips:
2008 Andy's Route 66 tour (Rt. 66 was our very first roadtrip in 1996 but it was before we started doing the websites. It is a definite MUST on the list of amazing US roadtrips)
2002 Hawaiian Holiday (While not fully a roadtrip, we definitely rented a car and toured the islands of Oahu and Kuai by road)
2001 President Trek (A Marathon trip when we visited a site for every President)
