Vacationing with the grands

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We are returning from a week long road trip with the grandkids aged 11 and 13 and it is an entirely different world when the middle generation is missing. No doubt that they can both be total brats on occasion, but the only real issues we have had all involved the electronics. We travelled a full day from the dessert to the Rocky Mountains and in our wisdom from experience they should be enjoying the scenery and observing the changes in the environment - I knew they were addicted to electronics (like I can say a lot typing away as we drive home), but I underestimated just how severe the addiction really was.

Using internet advice I had provided 2 books with puzzles, contests and games for each to occupy their time away from the screen. One was actually opened and used during a long mountain stretch without internet access, but the only thing they wanted to do was play hangman repeatedly.

I also prepared a list of all 50 states including point values for common to rare licenses plates on the trip. Both assure me that have been watching carefully watching and recording. I wager there aren;t a dozen marked between the two of them.

At Chat GT’s urging I purchased a n audio book, highly recommended for boys their age, loaded the program onto my iPad and both of their phones - here we are a couple hours from completing the trip and neither have shown enough interest to even open the app

I have also written 3 I-spy lists at various time during the journey - the first was highly ompetitive which the finally score 9 to 8. That winner got to select the restaurant for our first evenings dinner. The second I-Spy list started with the loser of the first spying 5 objects within the first few minutes, the previous winner stated he had no interest in the competition as he didn’t;t want to have to decide on anything. Knowing the return day would be long and boring I prepared another longer list; the winner could decide when and where to stop for lunch. We have had continuous internet for 5 hours - the only person who even knows what is on the list is me!

Overall, it was a highly successful vacation. The boys tried new foods and even ate some of them. We saw natural wonders, such as the Royal Gorge, rode trains, went white water rafting twice saw mountain goats in their natural habitat, and even saw a momma moose with two calves. They were also mesmerized by a ragtime pianist. Now the sort of thing middle school boys would normally pay any attention to, but watching Adam Swanson (4 time World Champion Old-Time Piano Player) live was incredible. His finger literally flew over the keyboard and with the upper front board removed, the workings of the hammers on the strings was fascinating. They insisted we’d return our last night of the trip to listen and have their photo taken with him. It was a very satisfying change from the rap music we are frequently forced to hear.

I love traveling with the boys: They teach me parts of modern culture I would otherwise be ignorant of. I don’t think I will ever under stand the significance of “six seven”. As long as the hotel has a pool and internet they are content. , although sometimes I feel they would be just as happy with a hotel in our home town with those amenities and sans parents.