My family trips

 When I was a kid, we traveled a lot. My mother's family was pretty far away, and we never got to visit my father's family much. It was always a long and arduous trip no matter where we went, and I remember lots of time spent in a vehicle on lanes and highways. Seems like that is what I do best now... 

My mother was adventuresome. We went on many vacations that we just wandered and found out of the way spots. One vacation was with my family and my aunt and uncle that didn't have children. I am sure that wasn't as fun for my aunt and uncle as it was for me. 

What an adventure. I don't remember how old I was, but I was pretty small. Maybe 4?  We traveled from Northcentral Texas to West Texas, then we drove all the way to the western border of New Mexico, maybe on to Arizona, but I really don't remember anything past Albuquerque. I may have been sick part of the trip. I just remember the high points, like Carlsbad Caverns... I don't remember much, but there was filming at the time, and the guide turned off the lights, I was terrified and cold. I had on shorts, since it was 150 degrees, or thereabouts. Once in the cavern, it was probably a cool 50, and I didn't have a jacket. My aunt took me to the cafeteria and got me hot chocolate. I remember Santa Fe, but not for the beautiful buildings, but for a little general store. I got a pair of corduroy pants there. Maybe my first pair of pants?  We had stayed the night before in Holy Ghost, New Mexico. my mother, aunt, sister and I slept in the tent, My father and uncle slept in an A frame for the night... tough men that they were... I don't think they anticipated the  early storm that started off as heavy rain, turning quickly into sleet and then snow. I don't think they anticipated the skunk that joined them either. 

I remember how large the trees were and how cold the stream was.  The Pueblos were very nice. 

That was the trip that I got left behind at a filling station. We were in two cars, and I didn't normally need to go to the bathroom, but my mother kept telling me it would be a long time and I should go try. I finally did, and came out to both vehicles leaving out the drive. I am pretty sure my sister was laughing in the back of my parent's vehicle... Somehow, they notices I was missing and came back. 

We had fun, I'm sure... I remember a few things other than the trauma... we slept one night on lava beds, back when you could do that sort of thing. We were right at the base of the volcano. I remember that there was a really heavy fog the next morning, and it was absolutely beautiful against the black rock. 

One year, we went to a ranch that had buffalo. I thought it was the coolest place. I never realized that the animals were so huge. They are so beautiful as well. I didn't mind having burgers made from them, though! 

Some of my favorite trips were to Mexico. I was in language classes in High School. I kind of wanted to do what I do now, but not the same... I wanted to be a language teacher, mostly an English teacher, but I envisioned myself in some place rather exotic, or ancient... like Rome, Maybe in Asia, somewhere that it would be fun to roam around and see new things... Anyway, I was eligible to travel with the Spanish class, even though I didn't take Spanish for another year, but I was eligible anyway, to go on a trip to Chihuahua, Mexico. It was so much fun, I went on the next trip in the Spring, then again the next Fall, and the next Spring... and so on. I spoke French, not Spanish, but I knew enough words from living in Texas, to understand and get along pretty well... which was a good thing. Once settled in the Hotel Victoria, we were pretty much on our own. We met up one time a day to eat together or to just visit, but we pretty much got to roam around.

One day, we were instructed to take a bus or taxi and go see something. No details... I can't imagine doing that today. Back then, Chihuahua was a pretty big city. I was 16.  I don't think I am a helicopter parent, but I just can't see letting a 16 year old loose with no clue where to go or what to do. Luckily, I was pretty industrious. I went shopping!  I went to a market and bought some little trinkets to take home. I bought a pair of shoes, super cheap... went to a cafe and had lunch, went sight seeing, and generally had fun. 

One night we went to a discothèque. That was really fun. Some of the group got drunk... I didn't, I never understood wanting to be so drunk, but... I did have grenadine and sprite. It was sweet and good, and I can imagine that if it had alcohol in it, I would have gotten pretty drunk as well without much trouble.  This I can't see doing as a 16 year old either. I mean, wow... the school must have not known the itinerary at all.  All in all, it was a fabulous trip. The next trip, I met a boy, Javier Ruiz Mares. Crazy that I can still remember the songs playing!  He was really cute, and danced with me in the hotel ballroom. I had so much fun! We stayed friends for many years after that, but I have lost touch with him after all these years.