The Adventure Begins

Leaving Town

Arthur and I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning (even before the kids) to get all the little last minute details handled.  Car gassed up--check. Food loaded--check. (We packed our clothes last weekend, knowing it would be a busy week.)  Grace woke up with a loud "IS TODAY UNTUCKY DAY???" and the answer to this oft-repeated question was finally a resounding "YES!"



Grandma surprised the girls with the Auto Bingo cards
she'd saved from when I was a kid!

We walked across the street to get hugs and kisses from Great-Grandma Vi.  It touches me that there will be kisses and hugs from great grandmas on both ends of the country.

Next we dropped the dogs and houseplants off for a stay with Grandma and Bumpers. More hugs and kisses!  And surprise bags for the road!

Neck pillows--woo hoo!

Load 'em up and move 'em out!

And finally, FINALLY, it was time to head out.  I have a library conference in Las Vegas this weekend, so that's our first stop.   Auntie Heather is joining us for this first leg of the journey. She's always good for a few sing-alongs, games of I Spy and back scratches. Uncle Zach will be joining us tomorrow.

First Stop

We stopped in Barstow at the "Train McDonald's" for a pit stop and stretch break.  Then we ate our cheese and crackers in the car and watched the trains go by. (The very loud trains!)

Grace was in 7th heaven!

Say cheese!
 

Interesting Things We Saw Along the Way

 

A truck hauling train wheel sets.

Ourselves in a tanker truck.

A license plate that I think is obviously full

of librarians on the way to ALA because it says

"We love Book Talks" but Arthur insists it says

"We Love Back Talk."  What do you think?

 The World's Largest Thermometer in Baker, which says it's under construction and to check out this site. Apparently, we've missed the grand re-lighting by a week. But, it did say it was 99 degrees.

Ivanpah, the world's largest solar project. It was surreal to come around the bend and see these other-worldly lights shining in the desert (which it turns out are mirrors pointing at the towers). Apparently, it was just connected in September 2013.

Finally there!

I headed off to the ALA Opening Session with Jane McGonigal  who spoke on the power of gaming and its uses in the library, followed by a quick excursion through the exhibit hall to grab all the swag I could lay my hands on (brought home all sorts of presents for the girls: a calculator, a notebook with tropical fish on it, and a bag/beach towel for Jane, a Rubik's Cube, a Captain Underpants bag and a whoopee cushion for Grace, and a board book and a soccer ball stress reliever for Rosalie. Plus a whole slew of ARCs for me (like I need any more reading material).

Meanwhile, the family went exploring.  We met back up around 6pm for a dip in the pool.

This pool even has a tunnel with a
waterfall!

Rosalie's 1st Swim!

Jane remembers how to float, even though it's been a year
since swim lessons.

After swimming, Auntie watched the girls so that Arthur and I could meet up with my colleague, Katie, for ALAPlay, where, no joke, we all hung around and played board games.  We were in heaven.  They were even giving away free meeples! Now we can add more players to Settlers of Catan or Carcassonne. (For those of you who are thinking--oh my goodness, what kind of conference are you at?  This was actually a mixer--the real programs start tomorrow.  And it was library-related!  Scientists are looking at the power of play as it relates to learning and libraries are going to start instituting more community gaming.)

Score! We are so ready for our next game night!

Long fun evening and now it's past midnight and I'm typing this up--so please excuse any errors you find!