On a last minute whim, the clan hit the road for a whirlwind trip to Wyoming for a family reunion. By whirlwind, I mean driving 1200 miles in 22 hours to get there, spend a couple of days, then drive 1200 miles home with one overnight stop. Here are some things I learned or was reminded of.
1) It is really hot in August as soon as you are 30 minutes east of the Pacific Ocean. Example: it was over 100 in Las Vegas at 9 o'clock at night.
2) Gone are the nights when vast stretches of asphalt could be conquered in uninterrupted hours of quiet driving while the rest of the family slept. Dad, to his dismay, now needs to make bathroom stops at least as often as the girls. Does this qualify as Too Much Information?
3) The United States is a very large country with lots of empty space. Some of it even habitable.
4) The drive from Provo, UT to Park City, UT to get to Interstate 80 is gorgeous, especially compared to driving through Salt Lake City to accomplish the same objective.
5) Children can be civilized for long stretches in a van if you keep them fed, watered and relieved (see #2 above). It also helps to listen to stories. A lot.
6) Seeing someone after 20, 30, or 40 years says "Time is precious" loud and clear.
7) Family, even the curmudgeons of the lot, matter more as Time (see above) goes by.
