Grand Promises: Part 1

After my husband died in 2006 I made a decision to begin creating lasting memories with my grandkids. I decided to ask them where they wanted to go in the US and when they turned 16, take them there one at a time. It seemed like a simple idea when I first thought of it. But as with any good plan hind-sight is 20/20.

First, I took my oldest granddaughter to Washington, DC. We toured the great monuments, ate in fine restaurants, and laughed a lot. We had a good time, but I’m sure she would have rather brought along someone her own age. I learned that sharing stories about your past is not what teenagers are into hearing. Live and learn!

The second granddaughter couldn’t make up her mind where she wanted to go so we’re still in the holding pattern with her.

Then I got the bright idea to take four grands at a time. (Insert extremely long pause here so you can imagine what I was about to get myself into.) I could actually stop writing right here and let you take your imagination to whatever level suits you. I’m sure you could come up with vivid stories of your own to amuse and humor yourself, but let me give a little reality check to the situation. 

Imagine…

• taking four grandkids ages 10, 15, 17, and 18 in a 23-foot motorhome for 13 days. 
• going from Michigan to the Grand Canyon and 11 states in between, amounting to 5300 miles.
• that they are brothers and sister!

Yep, now you’re getting the picture.

I don’t think I have laughed so much, bit my tongue so hard, lost my cool grandma status so often, or been so tired in my entire life during those 13 days. It’s taken me two weeks to even write anything about it!

Caption #1 – SO MANY PICTURES!!!

I have more than 1200 pictures taken by my right-hand navigator granddaughter, consisting of every turn in the road where the mountains created a new vista or the rock color changed, or the river ran alongside the road in a different direction. I have pictures of every cloud formation you could think of, and hundreds of landscapes plus 30 or so selfies—mostly of her! These kids had never been west of Chicago, so this vacation was truly a journey for them. (Stay tuned for more about our Wild West Adventures!)