Friday, July 24, 2009

Thoughts of Pioneers and PreDVD Travel



We left at 6 AM (a late start—Nate was hoping for 3 or 4) with hopes that our 3 little guys would sleep through as much of the 11 hour drive to St. George as possible. Of course they were excited to be on our way to Grandmas and Papas, so they were wide awake for the first 1 ½-2 hours. During that time they asked why it was taking so long to get there. Unfortunately, I didn’t offer the Benedryl early enough and Daniel threw up 3 times before we were able to get a dose to stay down. The winding road nearly did me in as well. After that we started explaining the length of the trip in terms of movies. The boys were watching the DVD players attached to the backs of their seats. Nathan and I were amazed at how well the boys did for the remainder of the trip. We couldn’t help but wonder how our parents did it with a carload of kids, on the way to visit someone or somewhere great, driving through the middle of nowhere, without the DVDs. Then we had to reflect on the pioneers who not only went without rear-control air conditioning, Benedryl, movies, and reclining seats but who walked across mountains and deserts pushing and pulling their few belongings, without proper shoes or clothing. Many of which were separated from family not knowing if they’d ever be together again in this life. I’m amazed that anyone survived the ordeal. Obviously the Lord had a hand in it. I am so spoiled to live in this day.


We took a route that led us past Mono Lake, took us on the Grand Army of the Republic Highway (Nathan says that is a Star Wars reference), past Area 51 (on the Extra Terrestrial Highway), with lots of little ghost towns along the way, and Alamo (a tiny spot of beautiful stables, green grass, a few big homes, horses and white fences surrounded by more nothingness). Along the way we stopped to hunt for rocks to try to stump Grandpa Steed (a geologist).

No comments: