Roadtrip - the Epic Begins

What started out as a little idea, a simple hope, that somehow I could see some special family members - especially one in particular, that was about to graduate and join the military, and another whose birthday was last week - well, that tiny seed of an idea grew and grew into a giant pumpkin carriage taking us on a milestone lollapalooza family roadtrip. Apart from weddings and births, it was also possibly one of the most thoroughly documented events our family's had in years. 

I've been trying to sort through nearly 1500 photos taken by all of us over the last week. Yes, you read that right: nearly fifteen hundred. That works out to an average of 200 a day. Or looked at another way, about one photo per each mile travelled. That was only over three states; heaven only knows how many we'd have taken if we'd actually driven from one coast to the other. At the rate we were going, if we had gone from coast to coast, we probably would have had to buy new cameras by the time we got back.

I think we both have a bad case of the shutterbugs, or possibly it's a genetic predisposition to snapping pictures of anything and everything in sight. But we were armed with two cameras that were used interchangeably between us all - at any given moment, someone was taking a picture with one of the cameras - often, both of us at once. I have no idea who took what photo anymore, except if I'm in it, I probably didn't take it.

I started to set up a flickr account, then lost patience with the process. So I'll just give you the highlights divvied up over the next couple of days...according to K. this is the 21st century version of the dreaded family vacation slideshow - but on the bright side, at least you have the option of clicking over to another blog instead of being trapped in our family den, watching one unfocused slide after another of each family member in front of every roadside attraction and monument encountered along the way - though of course, if I forced you to watch them in our family room, I would at least serve refreshments, so there is that.

I know - pretend you have a nice glass of iced tea or sangria - there's some fondue over there - or would you rather have some guacamole and chips? A cheese log and crackers? Here are some olives...I'll get you a plate...

Ok - can somebody get the lights? Here, we'll start at the beginning - I can at least identify the photographer for these first two - my son-in-law, as requested by the two loony camera-loving ladies, documenting the official kick-off of the roadtrip. Ladies, start your engines...

Or maybe it would be more palatible to think of this as a reality show. A sort of mother-daughter survival show. Where the players are Team One - The Drivers: one doting but dotty grandma, battling the beginning of a bout of bronchitis, menopause and car-control issues; a daughter, coping with both motherhood and daughterhood (see car-control issues, etc, above) -- fueled by quarts of caffeine, pretzel thins and TicTacs.

Team Two: The Passengers - two photogenic, well-behaved and adorable grandkids, who are none the less, kids - with all that implies and maybe even some that aren't all that implicit. Challenged with lost shoes; misplaced toys; spilled drinks; long, long, long - lo-o-o-n-g stretches of vast, empty desert driving with no rest stop in sight; not to mention the aforementioned grandma and mom - who wedged them in the backseat, amongst all of their earthly belongings to whisk them away in the dark of night. But they have an advantage over Team One - they're armed with the power of youth...

OK, maybe this wouldn't make for great TV. Slide show, reality show...either way, let's just get this show on the road, before everyone falls asleep...are you awake back there?   Kai and Pam, I took this one on the right for you...

It was a dark and stormy night...but neither rain nor dark of night could deter us from our appointed mission to drive and document every mile we could... till it was finally so dark, and late even we had to finally give in, and  call it a night.

Time to rise and shine...I'll spare you the approximate 27 photos taken before we even left the motel - the one we finally checked into at 3:00 am and exited a scant 8 hours later...ok, well maybe just one photo, to set the wild west mood (the lobby was rather picturesque :) 

Now we're back in the saddle, I mean on the road again....

taking the bull by the horns, we documented nearly all the roadside attractions on the Grand Canyon Highway

but I'll show restraint - I'll narrow it down to these two...

though I'm sorely tempted to include the giant Fred Flinstone at the Bedrock Campground...and the very surprised park ranger that my daughter snapped a quick photo of, as we entered the national park (the call of the camera was loud and strong that first full day). But instead, I'll fast forward to The Canyon of all canyons - the Grand one, that is...

with one happy grandma and two wiggly grandgirls. Here's one of all the road crew - we managed to find a kind stranger to snap a quick pic of all of us... There was also one taken of the girls, with a Chinese tourist who asked to have her picture taken with them - with her camera - and I couldn't resist snapping a quick one with ours, afterwards. The situation struck me as kind of funny, though I guess it's similar to us visiting their country, and being fascinated with their culture and fashions...somehow American culture just doesn't seem all that exotic, though I suppose being a part of it, is what makes it seem ordinary (the obvious never fails to amaze me, lol)

Finally, I'll leave you with just a photo of the canyon - even though I'd seen it a few times before when I was young, it's been years - I'd forgotten how photos just can't seem to do it justice -  though you still can't help but try a couple dozen times anyway...here's just one though...

 

Comments

[pam aries]

WOwie! THat was a fun road trip! I love it! Whee! 1500 pictures! Ahhhthe age of the digital camera! 'member Brownie cameras???

[Caroline]

And I thought we were doing well with all the photos we took last week... you must be going cross-eyed sorting them out!

I especially love the one with the Indian and the Kokopeli on the window, and all of you as 3 generations is great too...

[gemma]

These are great Tinker....How fun traveling with the girls ya love so much.
Hope you indulged in lots of goodies, songs and laughter along the way...Where all did you go?

[Jana]

Sangria? I've never had that before... *accepting a glass, and sipping happily* A cheese log & crackers would also be nice *happily munching*

You all look like such a cute family!!!! But I must confess to you... the pics of you all in front of the canyon? They made me sick to my stomach.

OH! Wait! No, I didn't mean it THAT way!!!! LOL I'm afraid of HEIGHTS, and you could see the horrific drop to the canyon floor below! It was "scawy."

[Tammy]

LOL That is an hilarious narration of your road trip. I'd like to have had audio with the pictures. No road trip with my daughter's...scary movies! LOL

[Olivia]

Makes me feel like I'm there, too---great pics!

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

1500 photos? That's all? lol!
This is amazing. The whole idea of this trip and the memories you'll have forever truly moves me. 3 generations of females on the open road would definitely make for a good reality show. Pass the popcorn!
When I was growing up we drove cross country a few times - I still carry those memories and all the sites and the fights(us kids in the back seat), longing for tacky souvenirs and oh yes "are we there yet?". If only we had digi cams then.
I can't wait to see more of your photos and hear more about the trip in posts to come! Thank you for sharing this all with us!
XOXO

[tammy vitale]

don't you just love the canyon? and you're so right - photos just don't do it, but they do bring back the picture in your mind's eye and every time I look at mine I'm there.

I look forward to the intrepid road warriors and their amazing journey - thanks for sharing!

[Angela]

Make's me wanta sing... "On the road again, just can't wait to be on the road again!"
Those pictures remind me of my trip from WA to here Savannah,GA. There were four kids in the car. We stopped by an Indian place and got Indian hats for all of us. LOLOLOL It was sooo much fun.
I'm 28yrs now...and remember that very well. So, my bet is that each of those that went on that trip will remember it as well. :) Wonderful memories that feed the soul!
Thanks for sharing!
*HUGS*

[Daisy Lupin]

Oh that seems like so much fun, I want to go on a road trip and stay in American motels and see the GC. I want to sing songs on the road, eat the sort of food you eat on the road etc etc. You must have had one fantastic time.

[artzyjudie]

Oh man I wanna go on a road trip with you guys. What fun! Looking forward to more pics. That looks like old Route 66...is it?

[Jill]

You guys are so cute! I loved seeing these pictures.

[inlandempiregirl]

You have inspired me to visit the Grand Canyon. I love it that you took that many pictures. What a photo memory package you will have!

[janet]

Wow!! 1500 photos! That's a lot of memories. It sounds as if you all had a great time. I envy you that you had 3 generations of gals to share this trip. How fun.

You mentioned pretzel thins. Do you mean those fantastic little pretzel chips from Trader Joe's? I'm addicted to them!! May I please have some sangria to go with those. Thanks.

[bella]

These pictures are great! I loved reading this.. I feel like traveling now.

[Paris Parfait]

Such fun! Thanks for sharing a bit of your adventures. Love the photos - and 1500 of them? I'd be happy to see them all. I love looking at people's photos, especially impromptu ones. It looks and sounds like a fun (most of the time) trip. xo

[Ang]

What great pictures. I have always wanted to see the Grand and i promise myself i will see it.
ANg

[violetismycolor]

Wow...gorgeous and what fun...

[Sioux]

What lovely photos and what a wonderful trip. I'm so happy for you!

[Pacian]

"The Canyon of all canyons"

You mean Valles Marineris on Mars, right?

"somehow American culture just doesn't seem all that exotic"

You say that, but I've never even *seen* a cowboy or a car chase (except on TV).