Day 116: Travellin Man Part 2

Dad is a spontaneous traveler. Due to the nature of media trips and his advertising with Morris Travel, he had a standing deal with them to notify him if there were any flights with lots of available seats. If dad could fill them, they would sell the tickets at a deep discount.

This led to a few really exciting surprise trips. One that stands out is our trip to Puerta Vallarta when I was in jr. high. I got home from school in the afternoon, and walked into my dad's office. "How would you like to go to Mexico tomorrow?" he asked. At first I was excited, and then my heart sank. I was in a school performance and would miss the important rehearsals. "Just call the faculty advisor" he said. "I'm sure she'll understand."

Well she didn't understand. I got an earful about responsibility this and commitment that. I can't really remember because I was thinking more about what I would need to pack for Mexico!

Even though one day's notice sounds spontaneous, I've actually been given even shorter notice than that. When I was in fourth grade, I got home from school one day and as was my routine, ambled into the office to see what Gary, Duane, Pat and my Dad were up to. Gary was gone for the day, but Dad looked up from his desk. Our conversation went something like this:

Dad: How would you like to run an errand with me?

Me: Sure. What is it?

Dad: One of my clients knows an airplane pilot, and he think he could take us up to fly in a circle around Salt Lake, to see the city from the air. Would you like that?

Me: [incredulous]. Uhh, yeah!

Dad: When we get there, I'll need to just go talk to my client. I didn't tell him you were coming, so I just need to go make sure it's alright.

When we got to the airport, dad sat me down on one of the chairs with a TV built in. He started up an episode of Cheers, and headed off to his "meeting." About 30 mins later, he showed up and said "He says that should be fine. There are lots of people going, but you'll still get a seat by the window to see the city."

As far as I remember, this was my first time on an airplane. I was so excited and super distracted by all the things that I didn't hear a word the pilot said. When we took off, we flew straight out north over the lake, then turned 180 to head south, straight down the middle of the valley. Dad showed me our house, the parks nearby, the mountains, then soon we passed Utah Lake and the BYU campus. I started getting worried. "Dad, you should tell him he's going a little too far. We need to be back for dinner."

"OK." Dad said. "I'll let him know."

A few moments later when the captain came back over the speaker he said something like "We'll be arriving in Los Angeles in just over an hour…"

Man, I lost it. "What?! Dad, he said we're flying to Los Angeles. I think we got on the wrong plane! How do we get off this thing?!!? I can't go to Los Angeles. Mom will be so worried! We didn't pack any bags!"

Dad just chuckled and explained that mom knew about this plan and had already packed my clothes. We were going on a special trip, just the two of us. We went to Disneyland (where I got lost… shocking), an Angels game, and I loved every minute of it. Best surprise ever.

Another favorite trip with dad was a quick trip to Hawaii before my mission. Dad and I visited the big island, swam with sea turtles, flew in a helicopter over the volcano, and cruised around the island in a sport red convertible. Dad, that was a great tradition that I hope I can carry on with my own children. I guess I'd better start saving my money.

Day 106: Travellin' Man: Part 1

Dad has been all over the world on his media trips. He's been to every continent (other than Antarctica) and I'm sure he lost count long ago of the amount of countries he's visited. It's got to be over 40. His love for travel is contagious. I've often thought about quitting my job to go work for an airline… just for the travel benefits.

There's an old saying "While the cat's away, the mice will play." I have many memories of things that happened while mom and dad were out of town. Typically, Neil and Ruth Ann would get their parents or one of their married siblings to come over to the house and watch us while they were gone. Then the fun began. Here are a few memories that happened while the cats were away:


1. Several things from the mother never knew post happened while Mom and Dad were out of town. Uncle Bob was babysitting when I tried to throw our cat Boots out the window, and when John and I wore baby Bob's diapers.

2. Tom's birthdays. Though I'm not familiar with the statistics, I seem to recall that mom and dad missed the majority of Tom's birthdays, leaving him with an irreversible martyr complex.

3. The 3 car pileup. While Dan and Jen watched us during one trip, Dan crashed our 15 passenger van into a small pickup truck, which got sandwiched into the SUV in front of it. Luckily no one was hurt, but I flew about 6 feet forward and hit my hands on the windshield.

4. I was particularly bossy when mom and dad were out of town, taking it upon myself to rule in self-righteous splendor. Once, when the older kids were going to watch a PG-13 movie I told the younger boys they had to leave because the movie wasn't appropriate for them. Uncle Dan told me "If something is not appropriate for them, it's probably not appropriate for you." Well played Dan.

Our favorite part of our parents' trips was the day they came home. They would lay out their suitcases on the floor and pull out trinkets and goodies they had brought home for each of us. Sometimes it was something small like a keychain or seashells, but almost always involved some local treat. My all-time favorite prize they brought home was from their visit to Hong Kong. They brought home matching karate pajamas for me, Jim and John.

Thanks mom and dad, for thinking of us on your trips and making us feel especially loved when you got home. Thank you for sharing your love of travel. And thanks most of all for sometimes taking us with you.