The top 10 things I learned from our family road trip (yes, there are more than 10 – I had a LOT to learn this trip!):More...

It mattered not what po-dunk, population 81, town we traveled thru, Sam Walton had been there first (usually with a really big SuperCenter).

Cruising by roadside motels, antique stores, metal lawn ornaments, drive thru caverns and signs for pecan rolls, brought back fond memories of traveling cross-country as a kid.  It also reminded me that car travel was as much apart of the vacation as the destination - not just a means to an end.

Get off the Mother Road and stop at roadside historical markers!  Did you know Pres. Eisenhower was born in Denison, TX??  Me either!

Sticker books and paper dolls were nearly as popular as the DVD player (and much less noisy!)

Our recession-era “stay-cation” was just as fun as going someplace exotic, like Mexico or Disney (although, those are still on the list).

Regardless of how much effort I put into making healthy snacks for the car (apples, cheese, trail mix), McDonalds wrappers were the only things I found littering the floor boards afterwards.

Was able to ice skate without killing myself after nearly 25 yrs of inactivity.  And was humbled that my novice children were infinitely better than I was from the moment they stepped on the ice.

King Tut was not nearly as impressive as he was when I saw him at age 9.  I think his entourage has been reduced to a few jackals, jewels and jars.  The kids thought that the entombing process that required his brain to pulled out thru his nose to be the best part of the exhibit. 

Was amazed that my 8 year old was as overwhelmed by the Sixth Floor Book Depository museum as I was.  Standing near the window where those fatal shots were fired gives you chills – even though it happened before all of us were born.

Was very thankful the broken stroller wheel held up long enough to make it through 2 museums and back to the car in the rain!

Would like to report that the hundreds of Katrina FEMA trailers are still in SW Arkansas.  Unused. Rotting.

When digging for diamonds, prepare yourself as if you were going on a major archeological dig, with pick axes, shovels, boots, camo, buckets, sifting screens, and knee pads.  Do not go in loafers, khakis and a fresh manicure. Oh, and pack an extra pair of clothes for the kids…because you will throw away the pair they had on originally.

Was reminded why I never adopted the “co-sleeping” method of parenting as I tried to share my bed with one or more of my children and was amazed that a human being so small could sleep on every square inch of mattress available, including the square inches occupied by their mother.

Regardless of how old I am, I will always cry when I say good bye to my parents.

There is NO ONE I would rather spend time with than those 4 human beings that complete my family.

The glories of my own bed and pillow…’nuf said.