The Faces of a really long Roadtrip

We just returned home from 32 hours in the van, 1,650 miles, it was a long drive for such a short visit.  Driving in a van filled with young children is something that one usually blocks out.......but I chose to capture a moment of it.  Here are the faces that I saw somewhere in Nebraska somewhere on I-80.

Here's Paul, the primary driver, chewing on headphones while chewing away miles and digesting hours of "Deconstructing Dinner" podcasts".  Kind of ironic that the majority of the miles led us between fields of GMO's, the very antithesis of all the pod casts. He kept at it with only the occasional pause to share an idea about permaculture or a bit of disgust about the industrialized food chain. Paul was the MVP of this road trip, he was alert and focused and got us safely home.   

Here's George, chewing on a peach.  He was a good little passenger, spending most his time eating, sleeping, pointing out motorcycles and kicking the back of the driver's seat.  Each time he spotted a motorcycle he'd say "I see Peggy's motorcycle" (Peggy is the favorite babysitter who also rides motorcycles).  He also decided he wanted to use the potty on this trip because he realized going to the potty meant getting unbuckled.  We'd be driving and he'd call out "I need to go potty so bad!"  But I called his bluff and answered "Good thing you have a diaper on cutie!"  

Charles was a good little passenger as well, when not sleeping he spent most his time chewing on his feet and toys.  Maryanna's seat faces him so it was her job to keep him entertained and during even the worst moments he never tired of blankie peek-a-boo, shifting right from crying to laughing.  Towards the end of the trip though he'd start crying at just the sound of the clip from the car seat knowing that was the sound of miles of confinement.

Maryanna borrowed my old ipod and belted out the songs, here she is singing along to Aaron Neville and Trisha Yearwood's version of I Fall to Pieces.  We do not have any entertainment system or even a stereo in our van, only an am/fm radio that can be patchy along remote areas.  Maryanna occasionally offered me an earphone but mostly she served as my radio, and I sang along to her.

Meanwhile William was very patient.  With his two closest brothers James and Peter taking their turn on the California Zephyr with Nanny and Poppy, William said he was even too bored to sleep.  He found a cozy spot on the floor of the van and as I begged him to buckle up safely all I could think of was the countless cozy road trip miles I spent on the van floor.  Mostly he wished he had his brothers along but added that an ipad would have helped.

Henry was restless.  In the way back row it was hard to keep him buckled in as well.  He did a great job of being the first one to have his crocs on and ready to hop out when we stopped.  He liked sharing a row with William and playing Legos and finger puppets with him.  Henry let the whole van know when the play did not go his way, his scream on occasion drowned out Maryanna's singing and the younger two's crying combined.  But mostly he was a happy passenger.

Clara was content to look out the window and simply watch what we were passing.  She took good care of "Cowy" and "Baby Abby" and really liked when she got treats like yogurt, Joe-Joe's and crackers.  She too helped keep Charles smiling and was so happy to pick up a free map of Michigan at the welcome center.  She did not like the times when she was thirsty and her water bottle tasted "rotten".

I survived.  I tried to sleep when I could, nursed quickly at the gas pumps, handed out food when it was requested, and sat in the driver's seat when needed.  I tried not to look too closely in the mirror at the rest stops and let my comfortable traveling dress serve as a spit up cloth.

Paul and I were both too tired and focused to talk or laugh much but we did hold hands on occasion and that helped.  He treated me to a quick shopping spree at the Sierra Trading Post Outlet in Cheyenne where the prices were an additional 50% off clearance, I scored a new down coat, a pair of shoes and some comfy linen pants.  That was a good stop, as was the hip wireless sandwich shop in Laramie and the organic pioneer food co-op in Iowa City.  I always say a road trip is only as good as the food and the company so on that account I'd say this was a great one!
   

Still, we were living out of our van and it sure looked and smelled like it, it even sounded like it.   Here is the scene as we waited roadside for our food at the pioneer food-coop.  This specialty grocery store neighbors an intuitive counseling office and airing the van out right in front of the office a kind woman from inside inquired if we were in need of assistance.  I reassured her that all was well, that we were just passing through and we were waiting for Paul who was picking up food. Anyway, it is good to know there are kind intuitive women out there willing to lend a hand to another woman and a stinky van full of screaming children.
  

Lastly, here is the party favor that my mom offered us at the family reunion luncheon.  It is a solar powered dancing flower with a sticker displaying the famous quote from my Dad's cousin Elder Wirthlin, "Come what may and love it."  My mom reminded us that if we stay on the sunny side of all situations we can remain dancing.  I thought the dashboard of the van would be a great place to display this reminder, it was there dancing through the last stretch that seemed unbearable.

So happy for the memories of the trip and happy to be home.