My trip to the Grand Canyon
By Red
 
 

The trip started out as most would, when you are traveling
with small children. You make sure that all little people
go to the restroom before leaving. Make sure you have
the Tylenol and Benadryl in a handy spot. Then of course
the seating. You must keep the ones that fight
seperated, then you are ready for the trip of a life time. He,he.
 

We left Napa Valley, California, about 7 a.m. and off into the cold
January morning. The children's ages at the time
of this adventure was 6 (my oldest), then 4,3 and,
last but certainly not least my baby 2 years  old.
We were leaving California, for our main destination
Sumter, South Carolina. Our first stop on the way to
the main destination was The Grand Canyon.

Well the drive across Southern California was fine, the usual
for January, brown grass and lots smog. The closer to
the border we got the more impatient the kids got.
You know the "Are we there yet", "How much longer"?
Played kick the drivers seat for a few miles as well.
This all got  annoying after 6 hours of it.
We tried to interest them in the scenery, but if any of
you have driven through Southern California in the winter,
you would know that there is none.

Well I got tired of hearing them, and after "I have to go
the bathroom ", and 8 stops following this comment.
I could not take anymore. So I decided to drive.
Big mistake, I think I was driving for 30 minutes
when the Barstow police got me on radar doing
way, way over the speed the limit. The policeman
threatened to take me to jail. I was thinking relief!
I was thinking a quiet cell all to myself.
Yet, I knew I would not hear the end of it. So I
explained the situation to the officer and got away
with a 500.00 fine. (Lucky me)

The kids where perfect  while the officer was standing
there, now they are evil children. I have to get
back into this car with them. I was praying that a
greyhound bus would drive by and I could hop on it.
No such luck, evil children and now totally annoyed
husband. I told myself great this can only get better, right?

Of we go again. I have exhausted all entertaining
purposes. I have sang to these little people, played
games with them, changed diapers, etc...
I have just about lost my mind by now.Then the sign
The Grand Canyon next right. I started to tell the kids
all about the grand canyon. They were starting  to get
excited about it.

We pull up and there is snow on the ground and
it looks beautiful. I walk to edge and look down and
it was just breath taking. The river winding up along
the bend and the tree tops covered with snow.
I was just amazed by its awesome glory.
Now the kids are looking around, up and down,
side ways. The four year old looks up at us and
says "What is the big deal it is just a big hole in the
ground"? My husband was very calm at the time
he told everyone to "get back into the car". The
smart alec six year old says "Is that all,
I thought it was suppose to be great"?
Now we all know that Dad is fit to be
tied and no one speaks till we get to the hotel
room. Then all we hear about is the great
hole in the ground. On and on till Dad snaps,
"I have heard enough, one more word
about the Grand Canyon and I will spank the
person that says it" Needless to say no one
mentioned it again.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, no tickets.
There were probably another 100 bathroom
stops along the way. Played kick the back of
the drivers seat for a few miles, you know the
usual. When we finally got to South Carolina.
The children called there Grandparents and
told them about the drive across the US.
You know what these little people said to
Grandma and Granpa?
"The Grand Canyon was the most beautiful
thing we ever saw!"