Aidan just left home for six days. She is going on a field trip… to California.
When I was a 6th-grader, I travelled from Grand Junction to Greeley, Colorado to compete in the state finals of Future Problem Solving, which I believe is called Odyssey of the Mind these days. Picture bookish children imagining all the things they can do to save humpback whales with a drinking straw and paper clip. There were four of us on the team, plus an alternate.
I thought that was exotic.
We rode 300 miles with the principal and our teacher in an orange school district-issued van. We ate at Red Lobster in Denver for dinner, which was crazy cool at the time and although I can’t prove it, I bet I had fried shrimp. We slept on our principal’s parents’ living room floor, competed at the University of Northern Colorado, ate at a Mexican restaurant that was a total dive and saw a movie.
The morning of our return, we went to IHOP. In those days, when people had more time and patience, it was called International House of Pancakes. The speaking time saved by the name change has led to all sorts of modern advances. Anyway, I ate an omelette with spicy salsa and threw up in the parking lot. I didn’t eat salsa for years after that.
Do you know how embarrassing it is to throw up in front of fellow 6th graders?
Hopefully, the In-N-Out burger Aidan is scheduled to eat ON A BEACH won’t have the same ill effect. Colorado kids on field trips to California must have their priorities.
She is going to see and do all sorts of truly educational things. But first, she is going to be at 35,000 feet without us (pray!). A year ago, she flew as an unaccompanied minor to Albuquerque. It’s not our first launch. There will be more to come.
The family space race is just getting started.
Oh MY!!! What a field trip! The field trips of my youth sound much more like yours than hers. Eating at Red Lobster would have been a BIG DEAL. (It’s still a big deal to my parents. Go figure.)
I’m sure she’ll have a safe and WONDERFUL trip.
Megan@SortaCrunchy’s last blog post..Turnoff Week
Good grief! Our “big field trip” involved camping at a nearby state park for two nights, and in 6th grade, that was a BIG deal.
Minnesotamom’s last blog post..Feeding My New Obsession….
6th grade, huh?! How’s exciting!! The summer after my 8th grade year, we went from San Francisco to Washington D.C. I cannot imagine what my parents had to do to make that happen (it was me AND my twin they had to pay for!!), but it was the trip of a lifetime. So fabulous! I’m sure your daughter is going to make a ton of wonderful memories. 🙂
stacey @ tree, root, and twig’s last blog post..Quit Harshing My Blog Mellow
Speaking of which…you wouldn’t believe the rumble the rolled through my Kentucky-roots family when 50-year old Kentucky Fried Chicken changed its name to KFC. What?! Take out the word Kentucky! What’s up with that? No matter how busy the world gets, there’s always enough time to say Kentucky Fried Chicken.
I’m sure your daughter will have a wonderful time. But not too wonderful without you…;o)
Dorci’s last blog post..The Long and Winding Road – Part 3
Wow! Flying to CA from CO for a 6th grade field trip?! I never had field trips like that!
Praying she comes home safe and sound.
Melanie’s last blog post..Daffodils
Whoa — that’s quite a field trip. Sure beats a trip to the botanical garden.
feefifoto’s last blog post..Anyone Want A Cute Dog, Cheap? Fine, But You’ll Have To Catch Her First
I hope she has a wonderful time and comes home (not tan) with a head full of memories to share with you and, later, with her own children. Praying for traveling mercies for her and her classmates.
Shayne’s last blog post..Happy Birthday Madison!
My question is… How are they going to top that? Where will they be going for Senior trip? You’d better start saving now!
mombrud’s last blog post..Jenna has been indoctrinated
Wow! Now, THAT’s a field trip!! I hope she has a great time!
The Casual Perfectionist’s last blog post..Who is that lady standing with my daddy?
That’s quite a field trip! I remember my 6th grade trip was to go to camp EWALU for five days, stayed in cabins, it was fun. And I’m not even kidding, when IHOP came to Des Moines about 5 years ago, I initially thought it was Iowa House of Pancakes. So when a friend from Texas talked about how much she loves IHOP I was amazed that they had them clear down in Texas. I even said to her, “They have Iowa House of Pancakes in Texas?!” She corrected me. I felt dumb.
ann’s last blog post..Mighty To Save
Oooh! Have fun Aidan!
Heth’s last blog post..Making My Kids Eat Gross Stuff- My Life’s Mission
How Cool for her!!
Dawn’s last blog post..They Are Coming Ben
Ah! I hope she has a blast! (And you, too.)
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing’s last blog post..And Then I Set Fire To A French Toast Stick
Wow! That is quite the field trip! I know she will have a great time, but I also know she will be glad to get home at the end of it all!
randi’s last blog post..a basket, just because
Huh….my 6th grade field trip was to West lake. You can’t get any sader than that.