Road Trip

We’re getting ready for this road trip Out West, and I’ve been talking—in various social situations—about how we’re just kind of winging it. We’ll be seeing Mount Rushmore and the Badlands and Yosemite. Doing some whitewater rafting in Dinosaur National Park. We have camping equipment, an awesome telescope, and some camping reservations, but that’s about it. Seems like there are families who would love to do what we’re doing (but I only know one who has), and then some families who wouldn’t dream of spending so much time in the car with their kids or who aren’t “camping types.” I’d put myself in the latter category, actually.

But as a teenager, I baby-sit for this really cool family. They would pack all the kids into their motor home, lay a map on the table, and ask the kids “Which way?” I thought that was fantastic, and that image of parenting always stuck with me.

So here I am, thirty years later—married with kids. Kids who, in my opinion, need to see this country like I never had the chance to see it. When Hubby suggested the road trip, I agreed without hesitation. Our daughters will be very involved in all decision making along the way. And this morning he made sure they could set up and tear down the tent by themselves.

We’re parenting by gut instinct now, and that can be overwhelming, as well as freeing. We have to expect more from our two girls, and more from ourselves.

I feel tingly and happy at the moment. Is this just the calm before the storm? Are we clueless, city people embarking on the hellish . . . or the sublime? Tune in to find out!