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Published: December 28th 2015
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My family embarked on a semi-cross country trip to California, USA to visit my mother's side of the family for Thanksgiving. Since moving to Texas my parents have hosted and/or celebrated every holiday in Texas. This year they changed it up! Honestly, I was surprised we actually went. There has been talk about going to California for years and finally, we went! Only 5/6 of the Lee clan made the trip which leads me to this - Family Road Trips: Then vs Now.
We used to take family road trips yearly. We've driven to Colorado, Oklahoma, Florida, California, Arizona, Indiana; and some of these multiple times. The last big road trip we took was 8 years ago when we drove to California for my Lola's funeral. This time, this trip was different - in a happy way.
Then: in a rush to get to California
- Now: sight-seeing on the way (I'll get to this later)
Then: 2 younger and 2 older hung out
- Now: 3 youngest all hung out
Then: we could eat in the car
- Now: no eating in the nice car - I'm starting to think us eating in the
car was a tactic to get us to be quiet
Then: constant car games and songs ~ bless my parents for putting up with us
- Now: still a ton of songs were sung, but this time they weren't made up or
as annoying
I was skeptical of how the trip would pan out. Yes, I was nervous about not having my older sister. I've never taken a family trip without her and thought I might be the odd one out, but despite my thoughts, my siblings proved me wrong. Since moving to college I haven't spent any quality time with either my younger brother or sister, and what better way is there to force time than a road trip? We laughed and got along better than ever before.
Then and Now: excessive dancing and laughing in the car
Then and Now: teaming up kids vs parents (you would be surprised to now that us kids did win sometimes)
Then and Now: a lot of sleeping and piling on one another to find the most comfortable position
Then and Now: loving the corky little side-of-the-road shops
Then and Now: poking fun at the
person who
always asks to stop for a restroom break (i.e. mom)
My father surprised us and we made our first stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico! During the day it was beautiful and the night was bone-chilling cold. We explored around and found some delicious Mexican food. I apologize to those who are about to roll their eyes at my comment, but I'm biased towards tex-mex! We traveled to the four corners where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada all touch. Next on the agenda was the Grand Canyon which was my favorite stop. I love, love, love to hike and this hike took the cake. I plan to go back and spend more time around other parts of the Grand Canyon! Lastly before California was Viva Las Vegas! We only spent a night and the next morning there and Fremont street lived up to the hype!
California was more than excellent. I loved spending time with my cousins, and aunts and uncles. Both sides of my family are crazy in their own way! My cousins are so old now and have turned into little men and women - what is this? We explored Oakland, Moraga, Mont Clair, San Francisco, and most importantly the city of Fairfield. This is where my mom and her immediate family live(d). Grandpa is in a care home there as well as my Lola's ashes. He is such a strong man and has the sweetest smile. He laughed at us when we told him our ages saying "it's impossible!" I know he is in good hands and eats especially well with all the homemade Filipino food; lucky man. Although, I have to brag because the Thanksgiving meal - feast was to die for! I've never been so full in my life.
Things are different 8 years later; we have changed as individuals. It's hard to accept change a lot of the time mostly because people figure, if things change new memories are made and no one wants to replace the amazing preexisting memories. I have to remind myself that memories aren't necessarily replaced; the new ones add to the existing ones. I can't wait to take my future family on road trips and compare now to then.
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