I could be a nomad I think. Maybe not in a van, maybe in an RV. The van got a little crowded and Zora mostly got bored. I really like traveling. I don't need to travel to Europe (though I wouldn't mind), but just driving around the country is pretty crazy. Our country is huge. Driving between states here is the equivalent of driving through countries in Europe or South America. I like seeing the beauty of the county--the smoke in the Smokey Mountains, the corn in Nebraska, the red rock in Saint George, the open nothingness in Texas (I love seeing lots and lots of sky). We live in a beautiful world.
We left St. George early Sunday morning in our church clothes because I was determined to set a good example for the children. I even pre-packed lunches so we wouldn't have to buy lunch on the Sabbath. I found a church 3 hours and 50 minutes away from the condo so we could go to the 11 o'clock meeting, eat lunch and be on our way. But then I forgot that Arizona doesn't do daylight savings. We arrived at 10. We ate lunch at a nearby park and played gently for a bit so as not to disturb our church clothes. At 10:45 we headed back to the building, found it mostly deserted and then found out that Arizona wasn't having church because of the Tucson Temple dedication. We left. At least we tried. We stayed in Rio Rancho, New Mexico with my cousin Deon that night. The kids had way too much fun and we could have stayed for days, but Greg had to get to work so we were off early Monday morning again.
Monday we drove through Texas and stopped a crazy tourist attraction called the Big Texan for lunch. I was not excited at all, but the food ended up being good and we sat next to a couple from Barcelona, so Greg ended up translating for them and I renewed my resolved to improve my Spanish once again. I'll get to that once I get all caught up on this blog.
Monday night we stayed in Sand Springs, Oklahoma with my aunt Carrie. My kids (and I) could have played with her vintage toys for days, but Greg needed to get back to work so we were off again early Tuesday morning.
We got home late Wednesday evening, had oatmeal for dinner, walked through the house to make sure it was still ours and sat around for a while. Sitting and driving in a car for 4 days is exhausting.
The next day I was sad. I was sad to be back in North Carolina. Sad to be so far away from my family. Sad to have responsibilities and chores and to-do lists. Sad to be me again. I was the person I'd like to be when we were traveling. Not constantly worrying about the mess. Free to play with the kids and say yes to just about every request. I wish I could be like that all the time, but the children are hungry and must be feed, the fridge is empty and must be filled, the toilet is putrid and must be scrubbed.
I walked through molasses all day as I tried to unpack and get my brain to think of all the things that needed to be done when it just wanted to think about all the fun things I was doing just days before. The kids, used to the constant entertain of cousins and toys, disappeared to the Wheatley's for hours. Leaving me alone. Which is for the better. At least they had have the Wheatley's. All is not lost now that the cousins are gone. We still have the Wheatley's and they are nearly cousins anyway. I pep talked my way through laundry more oatmeal for dinner and an early bed time. It takes a few days to get over the loss of a vacation, but time heals all wounds.
I just want a nanny. I hate sleeping in hotels.
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