No More Waffles?

Monday, March 19th.
Today, I missed my usual breakfast of waffles. I had cereal instead. After breakfast, we went out into the snow to the car. We drove to different starting points for hiking and biking. However, most of the trails were closed so we went to a Mexican village. In the U.S. When we got out we started to walk around and look at the shops. Once in a while someone would throw a snowball at someone and a snowball fight would erupt in a state known for warm weather. We split up, Mom and me going our own way while Dad took care of the other kids. Some of the shops were neat, like the music box shop and the candle shop. Some, such as "Just Us Girls," I'd prefer to skip. We went to the toy shop and then to a jewelry shop were we met Dad and Ellis. Elliott and Elijah had run off. We learned that Elijah, in attempting to reach a Hot Wheels package, toppled a display. However, I wanted to show Dad some things at the toy store. We went back and then Ellis toppled the display trying to reach a set. Next, we stopped at a candy shop. We bought some cactus candy which the two smallest wanted; the two oldest wanted something else. Not finding anything (cheap enough), our penny pinching Dad led us outside. We discovered my youngest siblings upset. They didn't like the look of their candy. However, I took it and found the candy delicious. We went home and my Mom went mountain biking in the snow with Elliott. Returning tired and exhausted she went for a run with me. We took a bunch of photos but there's a catch (we staged the photos)...

By Ethan.

This Ditch is a Deep One

March 20th, 2012 (Tuesday)
I didn't lose anyone over the cliff edge. That is always a good sign. The Grand Canyon had been blanketed in snow so the Rim Trail was covered with ice and snow patches. The wiggle child was told clearly he must not run and hop on the boulders on the edge of the precipice. The ditch is a deep one. These instructions were repeated in many variations, numerous times. We rode the bus (cars aren't allowed) out to the far end of the trail and worked our way back both on foot and by bus. Walk, walk and more walking. Full sun, blue on blue sky, shining white snow and the great expansive Colorado divide--the first view is always the most inspiring. I'm not sure if the boys were as significantly impressed. The novelty of the slow bus ride wore off pretty fast. We arrived back at the van at 5 pm. We scrambled into the car and headed west. We almost chose north: Paige? Then we couldn't decide: south or west? Palm Springs or Vegas? I drove, the regular chauffeur sat in the front seat to read maps and guidebooks. Some days are just like that...the decisions are spontaneous. We were in pursuit of warmer weather. Finally, at 8 pm at night we decided to travel as far as Lake Havasu. We arrived late and finally found a motel with a room after our seventh try. This is the spring break season of college madness. Although it was after 10 pm, I made the 16 year old go running in the dark with me. He was a good sport about it. Meanwhile the chauffeur carried the sleeping kids into the motel room. We were grateful to get a room given the last-minute spontaneity of our decision. I know this: the forecast for tomorrow is 29 degrees.

By Mom.