Thanksgiving Travel Diary

Monday, November 24:

The Brother and I are on the road from Boise before noon. We're in the Ogden/Layton/SLC area in time to visit Butterfield grandparents (help change light bulbs and eat well) and Grandma Orgill (riot on political topics and libidos in assisted-living facilities). We stay the night with our Aunt Janae and Uncle Curtis (eat good ice cream that I under-appreciate and watch Will Smith in "I Am Legend").

Tuesday, November 25:

Breakfast at Denny's near Layton Hills Mall. We attempt a bookstore run for the Brother and cheapskate tendencies thwart the both of us. On the road by noonish. Make it to St. George and visit an old mining facility and the Catholic Pioneer Cemetery that are within walking distance from the Mother's house. We drop off the Mother's truck for service in St. George and retire early after being lazy with plans to conquer Angel's Landing at Zion's the next day.

Wednesday, November 26:

Wake up at 8ish (with no alarm clock thank you very much...) to find it cloudy and monsooning despite heavenly weather the entire drive down. Zion's trip called off. News from the car dealership: the Mother's truck not running right because squirrels have built a nest on vital engine parts but all is fixed and no harm comes to squirrels that have long since ditched their pad. Venture into St. George for a second Brother bookstore attempt and some good Greek food. Back to Mom's for more lazy and sleep.

Thursday, November 27:

On the road to Vegas by 11 Pacific. Arrive at Aunt Dianne's and settle in to eat. Uncle Cody has no use for vegetarians but keeps us all talking. Meet some nice new cousin-in-law family members, pleasantly surprised by pseudo-cousin's drawing ability and we're off to Bolt in 3D that is very expensive but a fun flick. Too many documentaries and too much lit. lately. Reminded of how nice straight-ahead entertainment is. After a visit to Aunt Nanette's and cousins Jace and Trent's new houses the Mom, Brother and I are driving back to stay the night in St. George.

Friday, November 28:

Up with the Mom to retrieve her truck from the dealership and have lunch at Hermita's before hitting the road. All runs smoothly but for the requisite tire drama. Alignment on the Carnie Nissan is bad and front two tires are very chewed up and about to blow. I spend as much as I would on a full set of tires in Boise for TWO tires in Fillmore, Utah but peace of mind is achieved. Last time I did this, though, was on the Saturn and that car was totalled a few months later. Peace of mind? I try not to be superstitious and the Brother and I are back in Boise by midnight.

Good trip...