Right now, we are finishing up a perfect first day on the road. 5 hours of driving in gorgeous weather with incredible views and amazing music led us to our first stop: Spokane, WA. We are visiting Chad's mom Cheryle and her husband Glenn.
The first leg of the trip was... well, depressing. It seems I have a gift for creating some absolutely miserable playlists. It started near Tiger Mountain, when Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" came on. I started crying (that song always makes me cry - for lots of reasons that are not funny so I'll leave them out). Chad noticed and said, "wouldn't this song be perfect to put to videos of our kids as they are growing up?" And then started to describe what home videos we would include in the montage. When I looked at Chad, and saw his eyes watering too, he said he had just bit into a pepper. Crybaby.
The first leg of the trip was... well, depressing. It seems I have a gift for creating some absolutely miserable playlists. It started near Tiger Mountain, when Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" came on. I started crying (that song always makes me cry - for lots of reasons that are not funny so I'll leave them out). Chad noticed and said, "wouldn't this song be perfect to put to videos of our kids as they are growing up?" And then started to describe what home videos we would include in the montage. When I looked at Chad, and saw his eyes watering too, he said he had just bit into a pepper. Crybaby.
By the time we got to Snoqualmie Pass, we were thoroughly down in the dumps thanks to all the sad music on the stupid iPod, when lo and behold... was that a synthesizer we were hearing? Yessss, Styx had come to lift our spirits with "Mr. Roboto." That instantly lightened the mood.
Near Ellensburg, another classic little nugget came on which sparked a heated debate that we are inviting you to join. At first, Chad laughed and shook his head because I included "We Are the World" on our playlist. But after I made everyone listen to it - twice, and after Chad impersonated every artist he could single out, we realized that song is crazy-good. Duh. Why else would it be on our Road Trip playlist? All the while, the kids were in the back of the van staring at us with their deer-in-the-head-lights expressions. We voted on who the best artists are on the song. We determined the winners to be: Steve Perry, Stevie Wonder, and Ray Charles - with Kenny Rogers a close runner-up. This is where you can put in your two cents. Watch the video and let us know who YOU think is the best:
We rolled into Spokane at 4:30 and had a totally relaxing night. The kids played pool, Glenn and Cheryle made us a delicious dinner with BBQ steak, potatoes, and salad. We enjoyed good conversation in their beautiful home while the kids ran through the sprinklers in the yard. Now everyone is in bed except for Chad and me. Glenn and Cheryle have a giant plasma TV and we are watching "Singles" and evoking the Grunge vibe of the 90's.
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| The kids and Grandma Cheryle |
Later,
The Niemeyers
P.S. We discovered two awesome songs for dueting:
- Wild Montana Skies by John Denver
- Mr. Roboto by Styx (3:45 into the song especially)
Sounds like all is well and I'm glad your having a good time. This site was a pretty cool idea. I'll enjoy keeping up with what your doing. Yes! I want to here the duet. Bring it on!
ReplyDeleteLove you
Pa
Dog-gone-it! I posted a note but forgot to log in again. I keep trying to send a comment and then I get rejected. As-I-was-saying---I'm glad your having a great time. Keep building the memories and don't forget the little people. Yes! I want to her the duet.
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Pa
Has anyone else got on your blog yet? You might want to try mailing some folks again and telling them how to do this. You know how everone forgets what you say around here. That's why we can spill are guts and not worry. No body remembers what you said anyway.
ReplyDeleteBye part 11
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ReplyDeleteI am laughing and crying at the same time! What a hoot! And I LOVE "Singles"...I cannot believe it's been 17 years since that came out! sheesh!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, lovin' traveling with you!
hugs and kisses,
Pat
Howdy kids, I laughed my butt off when I read this one today. I can just picture you and Chad coming up with these answers. I can even see your faces as you think about it. It would be fun someday to take a big family road trip. We could take over almost every town we came too. Keep havin fun and be safe.
ReplyDeleteLove ya
Pa
I want to weep just listening to the things you are doing. It takes me back just like the typical old person. Oh my gosh! I think. I've done that before---or have I? It's been so long ago I can't remember if it was in this life or another. Howwwwww Saaaaaaddddd
ReplyDeleteWell, my vote goes to Cyndi Lauper (wo-wo-wo!) because I love her and I wish I could be her. She also wins for best hair and earrings. Bruce Springsteen gets my vote for best singing/poop-making face. He is so TOTALLY in the zone. Lionel is rockin' it all night long with the award for best mustache and oddly-large mouth combo. Michael Jackson gets my vote for best accessorizing with his matching sparkley socks and glove. Love the show of class without being too matchy-matchy. He also pulls off the groovy one-thumb-in-the-pocket stance. Very cool. I'm not sure about the eye makeup though.
ReplyDelete