So having enjoyed a day lounging by the pool in 35 degree sunshine, the Phoenix monsoon season, when any self respecting local heads for sunnier climbs (they should try England) all we had to do was pick up the RV, ideally early and drop hire car back and head on our way. Nothing is ever that easy, first we could not get the RV early, in fact with 18 vans to get out the door we were last on the list, our luck just comes in other guises. We had finally picked up the van (one for you Susie, everything just gets bigger…)
and were travelling in convoy to the hire car place, me now driving the hire car, Bill, the 3 kids and all our stuff in safely in the van, when we got separated at lights heading onto the Freeway. When I said all our stuff, did I mention that included my phone and my handbag. I was now on a Freeway with absolutely no idea of where I was going or where Bill, my kids and my holiday were. Panic, no I never panic, I just chose to pull over and scream, literally and very loudly. When I had finally composed myself and remembered that I did at least have a map, like any good geography graduate, I picked the nearest landmark, in this case the airport and headed on my way. After an anxious 30 minutes, I was pulling up to the car hire place and what did I see in front of me turning in, a huge camper van (told you our luck came in other guises).
My dad is always telling me to save words like “amazing, awesome, spectacular” for occasions when I really need them. Seeing the Grand Canyon in all its spectacular, awesome, majesty brought a lump to my throat. The rest of the day was spent hopping on and off the great shuttle bus, exploring the Rim trail. Now when they say Rim Trail, they really do mean it. With literally feet between the gravel path and certain death off the edge of the Canyon, I did at times wonder whether this was really meant as a family trail. Despite all my parental anxiety it was a lovely walk taking in all the splendour of the Canyon and the Colorado river.
The Travelling Billberries 
Siobhan,
Awesome, indeed,I know those moments of holiday panic; on the Route Periphique around Paris! At least you were lost somewhere where the locals speak your language! Hopefully you are now over jet lag and can really enjoy your trip.
Mum
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Hallo to all you variably sized Billberries, we are delighted to read of your adventures in the U.S. of A. Siobhan I am using my language in a very measured way when I write that. I’m pleased that you are seeing sights that leave you pondering what words you can find to describe them.,because you will surely see many more sights before you return.
I joked with your mother that you probably searched your store of imprecations when you found yourself drifting in a different direction to the other Billberries and your mobile phone.It’s strange that notwithstanding all the Hollywood movies one watches that entering any part of America comes as a remarkable culture shock.
We are looking forward particularly to reading of the children,s view of such a strange world.
We were sorry to read that what should have been a pleasant prelude to you adventures on your traverse of the Atlantic was so disappointing , but airlines are now notorious for their failure to maintain entertainment systems. For the mini Billberries it must have been a disappointing ten hours. We are sure that Bill will come to terms with size of your transporter without his hair going grey and he will certainly have an opportunity to try the rest of the two hundred beers he mentioned. At the “Classics on the Common” there were only three Maserati cars, none of which were as beautiful as his. I am taking your mother to France next Monday for two days of wine drinking and golf!. Divorce lawyers have been put on alert. In the the meantime we eagerly await your descriptions of your continuing adventures. I counted nineteen different ways of describing something marvellous in my thesaurus.
Love,
Dad
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Hi Briffas, hope you have an “awesome” holiday! It’s exactly 20 years since we were there on our honeymoon, so I’ll be thinking of you and following your blog with fond memories!
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Sorry, forgot to sign off on comment….Love Fiona xx
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