You're ## now, an adventure awaits!
So pack you bags and don't be late
Pickup time is 7:30
Your laundry's done, so nothing's dirty!
You'll need a hat, and sunscreen too
A swimsuit, shorts and walking shoes
Don't forget to bring something pretty,
Expect a lively night out in a city!
Be prepared for some time in the car
It may be short or it may be far
Your camera is needed for things you might see
But don't pack your money, your coffee's on me!
With four days to play, there's lots to do.
Maybe we'll hit a bucket list item or two.
Remember now, this is a birthday surprise
So, don't ask questions and don't ask why!
## is big - it's time to celebrate!
Let's go have some fun. It's gonna be great!
On an early San Diego Thursday morning, a black van pulled up with my daughter's husband at the wheel and the family within. They added my suitcase to theirs in the back of the van and off we went. We stopped for coffee and snacks at Starbucks, a usual practice for every long drive we take. We drove up the (Route) '15' for hours, but I was advised to refrain from any questions, so I kept them to myself. As we reached Barstow, CA, I had strong suspicions. We were going to Las Vegas! I kept this observation to myself as I had been advised in the poem.
After getting settled in an MGM Timeshare, my daughter and granddaughter had to go to get something from the van. My son-in-law, grandson and I waited and waited. Now we were all getting hungry. Finally, they returned. My daughter told me that she had decided I should have my own room. So, she took me to another floor, with my granddaughter toting my suitcase. As she opened the door, we felt an actual 'Whooosh' as the curtains on the balcony flew open. Thinking I would be alone in the suite, I rushed to the bathroom to check that no one was in the room ... suspicious me. I always check a hotel room when I stay alone. The bathroom was fine, but as I passed the closet I opened it to find a suitcase and a cane. I called to my daughter who had already reached the balcony, "There's someone already in this room. There's a suitcase and a cane in the closet. They made a mistake." My daughter, ignoring my protestations, said, "Mom, come look at the view." I reluctantly joined her, went out on the balcony and there stood my eldest daughter from New York ... another big surprise. The ladies had driven to the airport to pick her up ... thus, our long wait. Still a wonderful surprise.
Now, we could go to dinner. We had hoped to try the Wicked Spoon in the Cosmopolitan on the strip. But, we didn't have enough time to enjoy the buffet and see the show my New York daughter had planned. So we ate in a nearby restaurant, a type of supper club. Then, on to the WOW show at Circus, Circus. Very enjoyable.
The next morning, we left the timeshare and returned to the Wicked Spoon and enjoyed a wonderful buffet. We returned to Circus Circus where the children rode the Roller Coaster and spent some time in the arcade. After wondering through some Casinos and making them rich with the money supplied to me, we headed out again. A quick stop at In-N-Out Burger as we left Las Vegas was just right.
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| Fredonia Arizona |
We drove for the longest time. As the sun dipped, we drove through enormous canyons of rock. My granddaughter was the navigator. I watched out the window and saw a small road sign, "Entering Utah" Then a short while later, I'd see a sign, "Entering Arizona." This happened several times. Now, where were we really going? Finally, we drove through a town called Kanab, Utah. Life!!!
As our navigator directed, we arrived at our airbnb, The Kanab El Pueblo Townhome. I was able to glimpse at some huge red hills, or perhaps, mesas. The two-story 3 bedroom airbnb was lovely and proved to be very inviting and comfortable. The townhouse was fully equipped with everything you would need, including cable access. We were able to sign in to Netflix and watch a Jim Gaffigan comedy show later that evening.
As my New York daughter worked on her college paper, I found a small library in the upper hall. One of the books was about the Lusitania. I took it downstairs to read. My grand-uncle worked on that ship that sailed the route to the United States and then, back to England. During the return trip, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine off the coast of Ireland. That same night, my grandmother became concerned about her brother. Early the same morning my grandmother sent my mother to town to request a Catholic Mass for my Grand-uncle Bartholomew. Two days later he arrived at my mother's kitchen door.
Early Saturday morning, I met my youngest daughter in the kitchen. She asked, "Mom, do you want to know what we have planned for the day?" I responded, "Yes." By that time, the other daughter was standing there with her phone. They told me that we were going to the Grand Canyon, which was on my bucket list. To catch the utter surprise on my face, my daughter took a photo of me half-awake. I told her, "Don't show that to anyone." No matter how old you get, you still have some pride.
Well, soon we were on our way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. They told me that they chose the North Rim because it was a shorter drive. The drive took about an hour and a half to the entrance.
We drove a long way into the park to get to the Visitors Center. The views there were so awesome, I will have to post them in the next blog. This was a great vacation, with two more days to come, as you will see in my next post.
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