I’ve driven from the east coast to Las Vegas several times, including in 2007 and 2013, but this year is going to be different. In the past, my girlfriend was my only companion. This year, I’ll have three children under the age of ten in toe.
I’ve mentioned several times, here and on the podcast, my cousin and his family who live in western Maryland. In fact, the first stop on last year’s road trip was to visit them on a farm – click the 2013 link above for more details.
My cousin’s wife is originally from Idaho, and since they moved to Maryland five years ago she hasn’t seen any of her family or friends from the west. The two youngest children have never met her father. A few months ago, she told me that she was planning on driving the three boys, by herself (my cousin is unable to get off of work), to Tahoe where one of her best friends is getting married. While there, they’ll be able to visit other family and friends as well.
She mentioned, with a smirk and thinking it was a longshot, that she could use a second adult. It turns out the wedding is on July 3, and it was just a few hours out of the way to swing through Las Vegas, so after confirming with a few people that this would be an adventure that I would be unlikely either to regret or to be eager to attempt again, I agreed to accompany them.
The boys are 8, 5, and 18 months. We’ll be spending a minimum of 38 hours in the car over 6 days and most likely camping most if not every night. It still feels a little crazy to me, but not half as crazy as letting their mother attempt the same drive by herself.
We haven’t finalized the route yet, but it’s likely to be I-70 through the middle of the country, straight through Kansas, Denver, and the Rockies, spending a day in Zion National Park, and probably some sightseeing in Pittsburgh and Las Vegas as well. Should be an adventure. I don’t expect to have time for blog updates along the way, but you can follow along on Twitter @thinkingpoker.
My children are currently 6, 4, and 13 months. This trip is almost certainly going to give you some of your fondest memories, as well as some of your most hideous nightmares. Good luck!
matt
I wish you the least Lynchian of travails!
Take good notes, there is at least an ebook in this adventure if not a full blown novel.
I was thinking Indie film with soundtrack by Palmyra.
I’d watch. I already have a favorite character.
Oh my god dude you should have seen Walter yesterday, he is out of control. They just bought a house near Boonsboro, really cool property but the place needs a ton of work, Richard is going to be working on that while we are away. I was delivering them some of my furniture. Within 1 minute of my arrival, Walter was rolling like a log down like 5 or 6 wooden stairs. Somehow avoided hitting his head, seemed to be OK. A while later I was watching them while Jerica did some painting. I was roughhousing with the older kids and suddenly looked over to see Walty standing on top of the wheel well of a rusty old tracter that was taller than he was. No idea how he got up there, but he was grinning like an idiot. I ran over to get him down and Ollie tells me, “He can climb down by himself”. Kid is 18 months old.
AHAHAHAHA the log roll thing is hilarious. I imagine him saying “look what I can do” before his descension.
I’m not surprised by Ollie’s lack of concern either. I’m sure he was doing stuff like that at 14 months and probably views Waltie as a slacker.
Walter and Richard? Is this a prequel to Franzen’s “Freedom”?
Fun game for the trip.
Show everyone but one person a word.
Have the other people say one word(no sentences, sounds, letters) to help the person guess the word.
The person gets 5 words and 5 guesses.
Obviously works better with a blackboard and a chair but little pieces of paper should work.
It’s really great from you to do what you are, pretty sure you will get pumped up for the WSOP !
Have a great one 🙂
I would recommend listening to the Thinking Poker Podcast 🙂