This is the Departure and Arrival.

Only the first leg of the journey.

That is all I want to write about.  For now.

And the eggs I cracked tonight.  Light green, brown, speckles.  Crack! And out, and SSSSSSSSSSSSS.

O.k.

Tonight I was looking for another "chapter book" to read to River.  We, gladly, finished "Way of Courage" or whatever, about Mia the raccoon last night.  This was a "gladly" situation because the book got a little weird at the end.  The farmer basically tortures animals.  But we had already gone so far, and River enjoys animals (although I am not sure he was that into the extent of creature personification occurring in this book).

I am looking, looking, we have finished a few series and actually we seem to have a limited supply of new chapter books.  Then, I see the "Complete Collection of Winnie the Pooh."  And I remember...

DEPARTURE

This Summer I was very courageous and brave as a mother.  After teaching a bit of bug curriculum in the garden, I had time off before the real "Bug Camp" started.  So, Charlie is working a lot, cannot miss work and is flying to Boston to help bro move.  Where do I want to be?  

Steamboat.

That is approximately 14 hours away.  And, Canyon is 1 1/2.  

Alone?

So we did.  We piled into the car, stellarly decked out with choice food items for ultimate nutrition and car pleasure snacking, the dual dvd player from my sisters friend, Jah (dog) in the front seat next to me, my usual (o.k. more than usual at current rates) relaxation encouragements, music, and a series of good luck adornments.

To SLC via 84 and TURN! (right)

We stopped once at Perkins and met up with the Paquettes (sister and clan of 3).  Weird, broccoli too buttered to eat.

So we all stretch and play and run through what will be a...potato field?

Maybe.  We run and stretch and play and then.

Drive.  All asleep, stay asleep.  Need gas.

Still asleep.  Drive, dark, tired.  No hotel, no rooms, no rooms, no rooms.

Still asleep.  

Park City?

Up the hill, big hill, mountain really--Wasatch.  Climbing the winding path.  I went to college with a couple that got in an accident on this road and she died.

So I am awake because of one man and one man only....that's right!  Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Johnnie Cash!

He did keep me rollin' amazing.

We arrive.  Asleep, still.

Check in and carry up one at a time, leaving one behind.  Then both in fluffy bed I go for bags and shower and breathe and they are still 

Asleep.

Wow.

In the a.m. pool trip and ceree and almond milk, vanilla bean and ice cold from the cooler.

And I have it together: the kids and car and we are happy and alive.

I take them to the outlet mall by the hotel and walk them to utter exhaustion.  

We go, we drive, they sleep.  Cross that red dessert.  Closer, now to Colorado.  Up through Vernal and then follow the Colorado River, gates of La Dore.  I remember the first time I drove this, young and alone, but so happy to be going, and I saw a rainbow and it was full of loveliness.  This is probably time # 22 on this road.  If not more.  Maybe on the way home I will take the back route.

They sleep and.  oh yeah.  Pooh...River watched Winnie the Pooh, over and over, and over again.

But I turned it off when we hit the Yampa River.  I rolled down all the windows, and blasted the Cash, and sang and Jah sat up.  Because he was born here and he remembers the smell and his mama.  The moon is full and rising.  I am glowing.  Sleeping Giant and that big, beautiful Colorado sky.  Happy.

We follow Elk River Road 11.1 miles North.  Turn at the barn with the green roof.  Down this road of memories.  And we are here.

"Boys, this is where you're from.  Your roots."

ARRIVAL

We read part of the first chapter.  You know, when Pooh tries to get the honey in the tree with C.R.'s balloon?  River loves that story.  Me too.