June 19, 2006 @ 5:23 am | Filed under: Uncategorized

"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking."      ~Earl Wilson

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It’s five o’clock in the morning. The van is packed, plants are watered, and I’m trying to gulp down a third cup of coffee before we hit the road.

The Grand Canyon. That’s where we’re headed.

This was Nathan’s year to choose where to spend our vacation, and Jordan will choose next summer, in honor of their high school graduations. I feel sure that this year and next year’s vacations will be indelibly imprinted on my mind and heart forever. I’m all too aware that family vacations with all of us participating will become farther and fewer between as the boys’ lives takes them in different directions.

Seven days with my guys. What more could a mom ask for? My little boys aren’t so little anymore and I’m just happy to know we have this special time together before Nate leaves for college in August. I want to enjoy each conversation, soak up their stories, explore their thoughts, and basically just kick back and relish this time.

Except…

Did I mention that three of these seven days I will be…<gulp>…camping? I have to say I’ve been growing increasingly nervous the past few days. I mean, I’m no pampered princess or anything, but this will definitely be stretching my comfort zones. My idea of roughing it is a motel off the Interstate with a lumpy mattress and lousy water pressure.

However…for the sake of precious family memories and because my three guys are truly pumped about this, I’m putting on my game face and going for it. We have a float trip scheduled and a day hike. So, prayers are appreciated!

"Don’t worry about it, Mom. You worry too much." Nathan tries to reassure my doubts about my outside survival skills.

"It’s going to be an adventure. I truly feel it will be." Mike’s searching for words he thinks will inspire me. He’s not kidding me - I’m on to him!

Seriously though, nature does inspire me like nothing else and I am truly excited about taking just a good old notebook and pen and finding some quiet moments to reflect and write. I’ll be posting about the trip as I can. There is a state-of-the-art visitor center and IMAX not far from where we’ll be…you know, the C word…and here’s hoping I’ll find a place to go on-line.

I look forward to some beautiful sunrises and spectacular sunset writing opportunities while we’re at the Canyon, and the shutterbug in me can’t wait to capture it all through the lense of my camera.

Happy trails, all.