Feeling the need to get out of town and see some new sights (yes, a town of 90,000 can seem claustrophobic after a while), I decided to drive with my 3 kids and parents to to visit some long lost relatives who transplanted themselves from Cali to Idahome (Idaho). As soon as the plans were finalized, my stomach knotted up thinking of driving 17 hours with the children AND my parents...could we do it and still remain loving family? Had I completely lost my mind?
I prepared for our "Odyssey" by not only packing, but I also scanned and uploaded our important documents to a secure website in case a wallet is misplaced or stolen. I ordered LoJack for my laptop and a Kensington key lock as well. Meanwhile dI stopped by AAA for “trip tickets”, swung by the ATM for cash, and double checked our insurance documents to make sure nothing was expired and everything was in its proper place. Cruising by Costco we inflated our tires with Nitrogen, and Easy Lube N Tune changed our oil and transmission fluid with a final 19 point inspection included for easy sailing.
After several setbacks during the week, such as a tooth that broke, my 9 year old daughter just found out she needed glasses, and last minute “to do” items, we pulled out of the driveway early Friday morning at the crack of dawn.
Filling up our coffee cups with a Starbucks latte and yummy egg and ham breakfast sandwich with a low-fat Sunshine Muffin, we cruised up the 15 freeway with my parents and 3 kids in tow in our “Silver Bullet” HONDAY Odyssey van. We reached Las Vegas by lunchtime and kept on going. Passing through Arizona, briefly, we gaped at the beautiful mountains awash in shadows and stripes of red flashing through the rock. They were towering, craggy, and colorful. The amazing plateaus stretched for miles -- how did they form so flat on top with no machinery to level them?
Following a short stint through Arizona, we cruised through Utah. The mountains were tall and peaked with fingers of snow still holding on and reminding of us of the winter which recently came and went. I reminisced of winter, thinking of the exciting ski trips to Big Bear with close friends and wish I was in their bowls of snow charging down to the lifts. Various shading and lighting flooded the mountain peaks and the valleys were green and plush, reminding us of the snow which melted to give its life to the abundant harvests below. I can understand why the Mormons stopped on their way West to settle in this Heavenly territory. It truly is the ‘land of milk and honey.’
We stopped in Provo at the Residence Inn - Marriott for the night, located at:
252 West 2230 North Provo, Utah 84604 USA (801) 374-1000 |
As weary road warriors we stumbled into cozy, clean suites and ripped off our wrinkled, dirty clothes to don swimsuits. We sprinted to the indoor pool and relaxed our muscles in the jacuzzi after playing a game of “Marco Polo.” I wished I would’ve brought a pool chemical testing kit though, since my son got a stomach bug from either the pool water or tainted fast food consumed the following day.
Saturday, I awoke early to run at the gym in the hotel, which was bare bones, and did not offer any type of free weights, bands, exercise balls. It contained two treadmills and a TV - that’s it! It did the job, but was tedious. Breakfast was included in the hotel fee and was a bountiful offering of coffee, danish, eggs, sausage, yogurt, cereal, waffles, fruit and oatmeal. Stuffing our gills we checked out and headed for a quick walk along the beautiful river and trails which bordered our hotel to get our “energy out” before sitting for another 7 hours. Ahhh...the fresh smell of running water, beautiful trees, green, freshly cut grass filled our noses while the sound of rushing water eased our souls and brought us a moment of tranquility.
We loved our hotel and for the minimal fee of $89 w/breakfast, free internet and indoor pool/jacuzzi (*prices subject to change, Marriott members fee) we were thrilled and will stay there again without hesitation. They hotel will even grocery shop for guests and the suites included a kitchen with refrigerator and microwave popcorn stocked in the rooms.
I didn’t want to leave Utah, especially after we hopped on the 15 freeway heading North and passed several sparkling blue lakes that seemed to dance upon the plush farmland bordered by tall, gorgeous mountain peaks.
As we continued North and merged with the 84 freeway, we entered Idaho and the landscape started to morph into desert land with sage brush and sand. Perplexed and confounded I stared as the mountains seem to spread wide and level. It seemed to me as we headed North there should be taller mountains and greener, more bountiful farmlands due to lower temperatures and increased rains...but I was wrong.
The roads narrowed and due to construction speeds plummeted to 45 MPH - yikes! Most of the freeway, before this juncture, had been 75 MPH and there were some sections with speeds of 80 MPH allowed! Yippeeee! In Idaho, the 45 MPH continued for about 20 miles and was tortuous, but finally increased to 75 MPH so we pushed hard of the accelerator and persevered to our destination. Stumbling out of the car with stiff legs, sore backs, and weary souls, the first phase of our journey had come to an end at Boise, Idaho.
The kids were punchy, my right arm went numb, and we had played our ITUNES playlist through about 5X’s. The kids had downloaded some books for the ride, which were a godsend. I wanted them to download “Pride and Prejudice” but they opted for “Nancy Drew.” It’s not a classic, but I can compromise as long as it holds their attention and they stop asking “ARE WE THERE YET?” Arrgghhhh.....
My dad offered NT $1 if he could NOT talk for 10 minutes, and the talkative little chatter box couldn’t hold up to his end of the bargain -- maybe he would’ve for $5, but it’s doubtful.
I tried to point out the landscape and have the kids break from being “movie zombies” and Nintendo DS addicts to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful American landscape.
We stopped every 1 - 1.5 hrs to stretch and walk or run. We have a little routine that we do which helps to increase blood and oxygen circulation. We touch our toes, swing our arms, stretch our hamstrings, do some jumping jacks, and go for a brisk walk or run. We packed plenty of water bottles, beef jerky, apple slices, carrot sticks, reduced fat cheese, and grapes. At rest stops, we bought very few salty or sugary snacks and if we bought anything it was gatorade or green tea.
I love driving across America because the scenery varies at every bend with colors, shapes, and shadows changing and shifting. It refreshes the soul to witness the beauty of the Earth with a different view along with a unique culture at every turn. America is blessed with so many different cultures and various landscapes, all waiting to be discovered.
This is the beginning of our Odyssey through the American North West.
