41 Days

As of today, we will be gone the same number of days as days it is until we leave. Thoughts on that?

Zak: I’m torn as to whether I want them to go by slowly or quickly! I guess I want the next 41 days to go fast and the 41 after that to go slow. Chances are it’ll be the other way around though, stupid perception of time.

Molly: It seems unbelieveable. We are in the midst of the end of the school year hoopla and I really will miss the routine and structure of work. But, at the same time, I’m ready to let loose, let go of the stress of the school year, and make some memories!

Zoe: Well if you multiply them is a square number. Also, it is now like a practice of being with each other that long. Practice road trip.

Ellie: excited. Nervous.

 

What are the most important things you still have to do to get ready?

Zak: I still need to finish figuring out what some of the hikes will be and finding maps for them. I need to finish and order the journal now that hotels are finalized.

Molly: Pack. Hire the house-sitter. Stop mail. That kind of stuff.

Zoe: Hair cut, pack, finish school, stop stressing out, things like that. Oh, and shopping.

Ellie: Pack, buy cheetos

 

What are not so important trip related things that you want to do before the trip?

Zak: I can’t think of anything. Just get through all the normal stuff that we need to do.

Molly: Get a haircut.

Zoe: Everything is important. And all of our little other trips.

Ellie: playing clubhouse and soccer.

 

What songs do you definitely want added to the road trip playlist?

Molly: We’re going to the Dixie Chicks concert right before we leave, so I think we’ll want some of their songs added. Also, I really like the new Justin Bieber album, so some of those. We all like Pitbull, Carly Simon, and Taylor Swift, so those need to be added as well.

Zoe: All the songs you hear on the top 40, Carly Simon, and The stripper (I heard it for my first time last night and Ellie,my dad, and I were all dancing around.)

Ellie:hold back the river.

Zak: I agree with most of what everyone else said except for the part about all of us liking Pitbull. I would like to add some of the albums that we have on vinyl since listening to full albums helps the time pass more quickly for me.

 

What snacks to we definitely need to buy before we leave?

Zak: Cheetos, beef sticks, little debbies, that should about do it. We’ll buy the Mt. Dew on the road

Molly: Obviously the ones Zak listed, but we’ll be camping a handful of nights and I want more than a Pop Tart for breakfast those mornings. Maybe granola, Lara bars, and dried fruit. The other day one of us started talking about Chili Cheese Fritos and I haven’t had those in years and years. They take up less room than Cheetos (maybe??). I think we should get some bags of them too.

Zoe: Everything we had last year plus more breakfast food.

Ellie:chetoes

 

Where are you most excited to go?

Zak: Of course, RMNP! That’s why we’re spending nearly a week there this year. I’m also really excited for the SW Colorado area. We’ve never been there before so there’s going to be a lot of new places to explore: Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, Canyons of the Ancients, Yucca House, Cortez.

Molly: I can’t wait to get back to Arches, Bryce, and Canyonlands. But I’m really anxious to climb the first mountain we are doing. I can’t wait to breathe in the cool air at the top with an indescribable 180 degree view. Can’t wait.

Zoe: Everywhere. There are so many places to go. I am not excited to go to Yucca house National Monument because we have to trespass.

Ellie: kimptons

 

Which Kimpton are you most excited to stay at?

Zak:I’m so excited that we get to go to the Sky Hotel! It was originally scheduled to be closed this summer, but they changed plans at the last minute. Wine hour in Aspen!

Molly: That’s like asking which child is your favorite.

Zoe: All of them especially the Sky Hotel in Aspen.

Ellie: the beach ones

 

What aspect of the trip are you most nervous or scared about?

Zak: Mostly lightning, this is definitely my #1 concern. I think we’re as prepared for everything as we can be though.

Molly: Lightning???? I didn’t know that is something we should be scared about. Up until now, I was most scared about bears eating us while we are camping. If I’m being 100% honest, I’m most nervous about the joints on my lower body. Last month’s MRI revealed severe arthritis in my left knee. Although I’m getting treatment for that knee, my other knee, hip, and ankles have been through the same life and I’m worried about them this summer.

Zoe: Lightning? And camping.

Ellie: throwing up

 

What food are you most excited to eat?

Zak: One of my goals for the trip is to eat a Doritos taco from Taco Bell, so I’m going to go with that.

Molly: Fresh fish in Florida

Zoe: All of it

Ellie:chetos

 

Do you think that individual species of birds should be included on the “Animals We Saw” list?

Zak:Yes. There really isn’t any question here as far as I’m concerned. If it’s a unique species it should count.

Molly: No. That is just a stupid idea and our whole “Animals We Saw” page in our journal would be full of birds. And we are no experts in birdwatching, so we won’t even know most of the species of birds we see. Maybe if we see a penguin or a flamingo we can add those separately. Otherwise it is going down once as “bird.”

Zoe: Things we don’t have in Illinois Y-E-S

Ellie:yes we should
Make a prediction:

	Zoe	Ellie	Molly	Zak	Average
How many miles will we drive?	500	900	6,548	6,800	3,687
How many gallons of gas will we purchase?	256	152	312	375	273.75
How many bags of Cheetos will we eat?	1,000,000 Actually 56	10	22	12	25
Meat sticks?	75	5	100	60	60
Pounds of licorice?	5	6	7.5	5	5.875
Bottles of liquor?	4 counting the little ones from Kimpton	5	2	We’re counting the little ones? 20	12 little ones 3.5 bottles
How many time outs will you receive?	1	500	5, all self imposed	I hope 40!	136.5
How many times will one of us get carsick?	2	2	4	0	2