On the Road Again
It's been a while since I've been on vacation with my family, so I decided to ditch work for a week and go with them to Taos, New Mexico. Most people have never heard of it, but it's a nice little town up north that is also home to some great skiing in the nearby mountains. It's a long ten hour drive each way, but for the most part, it's worth it. We go with family friends, as well, and it's always bound to be a good time. We left home at about eight in the morning yesterday, and finally arrived at our lodgings around eight thirty last night, after stopping for dinner at Guadalajara Grill.
The trip was like most I've been on. There's the initial frustration with last-minute packing and stuffing people, pets, and their things into the car and leaving on time. After the first five minutes, the frustration wears off, and a kind of happy-go-lucky period sets in. Everybody is smiling, making jokes about how we always get frustrated at first. The dogs are excited, too. You can usually tell by the amount of slobber on the windows, and the scratches on your arms and legs. This part usually also only lasts five minutes, at least for my family, but I'm happy with whatever I can get. I spent my time after that sleeping, taking pictures, and watching half of an episode of Burn Notice I managed to snag while my phone had service (I found a way to tether my phone and its internet connection to my computer; it's really pretty nifty).
After a time, it was finally my turn to drive. Me getting my license (and even my permit) was a great joy for my parents when it happened. Not only do they not have to drive as much, but they can also consume whatever amounts of alcohol they so choose, and then force me to be the designated driver. Regardless of this great service they force me to provide for them, they still hound me like it was the first time I had ever been in the driver's seat.
"James, slow down!" Mom, I'm going 45 in a 55 zone. Relax.
"James, red lights!" Yes Dad, I see them, that's why you're feeling the sensation of deceleration.
"James, that's where we were supposed to turn!" Okay, seriously, guys? This exclamation occurred amid fierce debate between my mother and father regarding which was the correct exit to take. Initially, Dad says "Take the 84/285 exit." Then Mom goes "No, honey, we're supposed to take the 25, right?" So I'm thinking "Okay....so what am I doing?"
All of this is taking place as we're passing the 84/285.
Dad: "James, you just passed it!"
Mom: "James, you just passed it!"
What?! What was I supposed to do?! Similar confusions occurred pretty much all the way until we got there.
We were about fifteen miles from dinner when we rounded the corner on a little bit of redemption for these troubles. An amazingly picturesque view unfolded right in front of us, and I couldn't help but pull over, amid the usual warnings from my parents about my speed whatnot. But we came to a stop safely on the side of the road, I grabbed my lunchbox, and went to make the most of the photographic opportunity.
Yes, I took my lunchbox. But only because my camera was in there, and not lunch. The camera bag I had ordered a month ago still has not arrived, so a lunch box was the best I could do.
It was a couple seconds after we had passed this spot that I finally got the okay to pull over, so I had to do some running back. My mom wanted me to keep it quick because she was hungry and cranky.
I got to a good spot, and took about twenty shots before I realized I had left my memory card in the van. I frantically ran back, and back again to where I had left the camera. This was an amazing place, and I wish I had had an hour instead of ten minutes to take pictures. We'll see how things go this week, I might be back for a second chance.
Anyway, we ended up getting to dinner, and then getting to the house just fine. The house is beautiful, and I think we'll all enjoy it. We spent an hour assigning rooms and hanging out, and then everyone headed off to bed.
I really haven't been great about posting, but hopefully I'll change that this week. Can't say I didn't warn you.
Thanks for reading.
The trip was like most I've been on. There's the initial frustration with last-minute packing and stuffing people, pets, and their things into the car and leaving on time. After the first five minutes, the frustration wears off, and a kind of happy-go-lucky period sets in. Everybody is smiling, making jokes about how we always get frustrated at first. The dogs are excited, too. You can usually tell by the amount of slobber on the windows, and the scratches on your arms and legs. This part usually also only lasts five minutes, at least for my family, but I'm happy with whatever I can get. I spent my time after that sleeping, taking pictures, and watching half of an episode of Burn Notice I managed to snag while my phone had service (I found a way to tether my phone and its internet connection to my computer; it's really pretty nifty).
He brushes his teeth while he drives.
After a time, it was finally my turn to drive. Me getting my license (and even my permit) was a great joy for my parents when it happened. Not only do they not have to drive as much, but they can also consume whatever amounts of alcohol they so choose, and then force me to be the designated driver. Regardless of this great service they force me to provide for them, they still hound me like it was the first time I had ever been in the driver's seat.
"James, slow down!" Mom, I'm going 45 in a 55 zone. Relax.
"James, red lights!" Yes Dad, I see them, that's why you're feeling the sensation of deceleration.
"James, that's where we were supposed to turn!" Okay, seriously, guys? This exclamation occurred amid fierce debate between my mother and father regarding which was the correct exit to take. Initially, Dad says "Take the 84/285 exit." Then Mom goes "No, honey, we're supposed to take the 25, right?" So I'm thinking "Okay....so what am I doing?"
All of this is taking place as we're passing the 84/285.
Dad: "James, you just passed it!"
Mom: "James, you just passed it!"
What?! What was I supposed to do?! Similar confusions occurred pretty much all the way until we got there.
We were about fifteen miles from dinner when we rounded the corner on a little bit of redemption for these troubles. An amazingly picturesque view unfolded right in front of us, and I couldn't help but pull over, amid the usual warnings from my parents about my speed whatnot. But we came to a stop safely on the side of the road, I grabbed my lunchbox, and went to make the most of the photographic opportunity.
Yes, I took my lunchbox. But only because my camera was in there, and not lunch. The camera bag I had ordered a month ago still has not arrived, so a lunch box was the best I could do.
It was a couple seconds after we had passed this spot that I finally got the okay to pull over, so I had to do some running back. My mom wanted me to keep it quick because she was hungry and cranky.
I got to a good spot, and took about twenty shots before I realized I had left my memory card in the van. I frantically ran back, and back again to where I had left the camera. This was an amazing place, and I wish I had had an hour instead of ten minutes to take pictures. We'll see how things go this week, I might be back for a second chance.
Anyway, we ended up getting to dinner, and then getting to the house just fine. The house is beautiful, and I think we'll all enjoy it. We spent an hour assigning rooms and hanging out, and then everyone headed off to bed.
I really haven't been great about posting, but hopefully I'll change that this week. Can't say I didn't warn you.
Thanks for reading.
Dude, a roadtrip sounds way fun. My parents don't trust me driving on the freeway, so I'm banished to passenger-dom. Haha.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the last two photos. They almost make me think that I could hack life out in the country.
Hey James. Have fun in New Mexico, I'm jealous.
ReplyDeleteJames effing Carrico
Haha, I'm doing my best, man. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJames effing Magras
P.S. I've been training for a triathlon and was gifted a road bike, so I've been riding a fair bit. Let me know whenever you're in town and want to go for a ride.