Survival of the Craziest

Most people think we are crazy for the way we drive to Utah several times a year. I have to say, I tend to agree with them. We decided to try a new/faster/more scenic route this time. We have driven so many times that the change sounded like a good thing. We drove through Austin, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, and Witchita, then over to Denver and across Wyoming. We were able to drive faster and get better gas milage (17 miles/gallon, so disgusting), but it added another 180 miles to the trip. We traveled through all the "new" areas at night so it wasn't really that scenic. The sun came up when we were in Kansas and the highlight was seeing a tumbleweed blow across the road, I knew that I hadn't missed anything while the sun was down. So, it wasn't faster or more scenic, but it was new.

As we drove through Austin and could see the University of Texas tower lit up burnt orange to celebrate the National Championship, I realized the real reason we went that way. I don't know how I get talked into theses things.

The kids traveled well. They have no choice. This is all just part of being in our family. Some say we are crazy because we drive instead of fly, but if the kids get rowdy, we just turn up the radio
and ignore them like the loving parents that we are. I figure an airplane is like having the kids in Sacrament meeting for 6 six without the spiritual benefits that come from going to church. They would have to be still and quiet the entire time. I'd rather drive. At least, that way if we need to stop and get out we can. you can't do that in an airplane. Then, there is the possibilty of stopping for the night in a hotel. Here is the problem. We stop, check in, drag all the kids and suitcases into the hotel, then the kids are so excited to be out of the car they are jumping on the beds and climbing the walls. When we finally do get them settled down, we sleep for 6 hours and still have to face at least, another 12 hours in the car the next day. It's horrible! Instead, we drive straight through. Aaron drives 2o hours and I drive 4. He drives over 12 hours at a time before he needs to sleep. Then, I drive an 1 1/2 hours before I'm saying," honey, I can't go any further. I need to sleep. I'm too tired." Yeah, he's Superman.

The hardest part of the trip is the state of Wyoming. My brother-in-law called us while we were driving across and asked us where we were. I told him we weren't sure. See, Wyoming is the same Interstate, the same speed, the same wind blowing, and the same hills andsagebrush to look at. By that time, we are all in a vegetatitve state of mind. It is always nice to pass the Utah border and we know we are close and then, it all doesn't seem so bad.

The low point of the trip was when Ethan told me he was going to die. I told him to do so quietly, because I needed to sleep before I had to drive again.