One week from tomorrow, I’ll be heading out for a month of traveling again. Although we decided against traveling this year, I find that I need a rest from the dust and heat of the Arizona dry season (May-June) in order to stay sane. I also call it “Marital Health 101.” Regardless, I will spend a few weeks with my parents, and a few weeks with an array of childhood friends in the cooler northern climate.
I took the picture above in 2004 while traveling with Benjamin. It’s the Colorado River as it winds through the Grand Canyon as the final rays of the setting sun hit the canyon wall. It was one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen, and it was taken the first day of a 30-day trip through Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, California and Nevada. That trip was considerably more expensive than my upcoming trip should be (fingers crossed!) as I plan to camp out or crash at people’s houses most of this trip, but it shares one thing in common: I needed to take it.
As a new mom with Ben freshly turned two, I set out in August 2004 with my heart in my mouth. That trip started research for a book I’m still working on, and it also started this website in earnest. I learned about wireless computer access, a skill that later got me promoted into technical projects at work, and how to deal with a toddler for multiple days on end, but most of all the trip reassured me that I would still get to travel and see the world. Being a parent takes a lot of sacrifices, and I feared that my dream of traveling was over when Ben was born. The reality was that Ben and I had a wonderful time and I still remember taking him to a playground in Vancouver, riding the ferry to Victoria, walking the boardwalk in Californa and singing far too many songs featuring Elmo along the way. Ben learned a lot too — he learned how to poop in the woods that trip, and that too many Elmo songs makes mommy a little mental. I hope that my kids remember my “walkabouts” as fondly as I do.
This time, one thing is different — Marti gets a special trip of his very own, as he heads to Boston for an expenses-paid conference, courtesy of the U of A. They’ve tried to send him to conferences for several years now, and finally he’s taking them up on it. So while I herd kids into a drafty tent, Marti will be eating at Legal Seafoods and enjoying the beautiful history of Boston’s Back Bay.
That’s okay. I want one more photo of the Grand Canyon, and I plan to stop at more national parks along the way. Our trips truly reflect our personalities, with Marti sipping coffee and eating scones while I plan for a shower facility every two days.
Onward to that canyon sunset, friends.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:19 am
Mmmm, I’m looking for the right word to express how I feel to hear you go traveling for a month.
Kuso would be the most appropriate term in Japanese. Oh, I can’t ut remember our trip to Australia
I’m still in Yokohama enjyoing spending with grandchildren dreaming to make a long trip somewhere away from home, dreaming to visit your place and Kanzas and N.Y. where Nariza is.
By the way, Shiori Aoyama is going to study at a school in Sonora, CA starting this summer for a year.
She is as smart as your kids must be. Your kids must be so lucky to have a great mother.
from a woman who still can’t find out what is right and wrong at the age of 55
June 11th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I hate it when you are traveling. I check my machine at home but there are not messages. I think to call you, but I know you arent there. Sadness…Love you!
You can always reach me on my cell, you know.