Monday, October 12, 2009

Going West....
....via Oklahoma


Today is day one of the mother of all road trips.  It's not the longest road trip Grandma J ever took, but it's the longest one with no humans to sing in rounds with.


Eons ago, when Grandma J was just a child, she ventured out across the country from Rhode Island to California with her parents and siblings.  Six humans crammed inside a '55 Ford wagon. 

Grandma J still remembers hearing her father raise the roof everytime she opened the door in the back seat and Rita's pressure cooker would go flying out.   They would sing in rounds, play twenty questions, and license plate games.  

Then Grandma J's father would scare the dickens out of the kids  by telling them people in California will think we talk funny, and we should practice speaking like all our friends on the Howdy Doody show....otherwise people might laugh at our accent.  He was right!


Then there was the three week motorhome trip in the late 80's from CA to Niagra Falls and back.  Much more fun, we had Nintendo and a TV, and played plenty of Yhatzee.




This trip is a bit different.   Phil and Crusty are at odds, and Grandma J can't let Crusty out of her  sight because he might be an instigator.....maybe.




On the way to Oklahoma, Grandma J drove right past The Texas Motor Speedway, in Denton Texas, and immediately thought about her dear Virgina friends Marlene and Hard Working Man.





When she pulled into the Comfort Inn in Oklahoma City,  Grandma J told PJB he can be a Sentry and guard the car all night while Crusty and Grandma J stay  in a hotel room.  He's not too happy.     But Crusty is!


Tomorrow it's on to Las Vegas New Mexico, and a night in a historical haunted hotel.




On a side note....join me in wishing my baby boy, Michael  a happy 42nd birthday!   He doesn't read Grandma J's blog, but just in case.... I love you, Michael.....see you soon!

 

17 comments:

I Am Woody said...

Happy Birthday Michael!

And happy motoring! If I were with you, I would certainly sing in rounds and play license plate games. I LOVE road trips!!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Happy Birthday to Michael.

A haunted hotel? Oh boy, this is going to be good.

Pat Jenkins said...

happy 42 mike!!.. and i hope you keep giving us your sights on your trip grandma j, this is going to be fun!

Linda said...

You need a twin sister, like I have, to go on your trips with you! We never run out of things to talk about!

Mental P Mama said...

Happy Birthday Michael! And happy trails to Grandma J and her entourage;)

Daryl said...

Happy Birthday, Michael ..

Sounds as if you are having a fine road trip ... stay safe!

People in RI dont talk funny....

Hula Hank said...

Howdy Doody.. LOL When I was younger I was given a hand me down Howdy Doody doll. The mouth opened and closed when you pulled on a string hanging out his back.

I forgot all about that!

Road trips are awesome and I am glad that I am experiencing this road trip with you a la internet blog posts.

I don't know if I have ever been to Oklahoma, but I hear the wind comes rushing down the plains and they have beautiful mornings.

I get the feeling that I have passed through Oklahoma when we lived in Texas and Colorado, but I will have to ask my mother.

My great grandfather on my father's side ran a business in Oklahoma City, so it is quite possible I have very extended family there, but I know at some point they all moved to California.

And now I ramble....

Busy Bee Suz said...

Happy Birthday Michael!!!
Those crazy childhood road trips are mandatory. They are what makes us who we are today. You know, a little "off".
Be careful..have fun!!!

Caution/Lisa said...

Hope you survived the haunting!!

On our roadtrip this summer we had to ban electronics in the hopes that our kids would actually see something outside of the car. When the bickering started, I gave them back their games and bought them a few more. It's so true it makes me sick.

Jen said...

Safe travels to you ~~ B-day greetings to Michael. and to PJB; might I suggest a box of chocolates to win Grandma J's heart back.

Deb said...

...haunted hotel? you are brave!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Happy Birthday Michael! And shame on you too for not reading your mama's blog!

Cant wait to hear about that haunted hotel Grandma J!!
<><

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cassie said...

Happy Birthday to your son Michael. (Good M word too!) Have a great trip and sing along to the radio!

Anonymous said...

Oh I love road trips...always an adventure, especially on your own :)

Happy B-day to your baby boy!
XXOO, lMnop

Pumpkin Delight (Kimberly) said...

Oh my goodness! I didn't know you were driving this trip. I'm sure you will have a blast, but be careful!
At least this drive is not as long as the RI to CA drive. I've done that one a few times.

Unknown said...

You look like you are on a mission! Someday I would like to be as fun as you : )

Happy Birthday to your baby boy! He has a wonderful smile and I am sure a kind heart like his Mama : )