Heading West with Half-Growns

And so begins our travel from Asheville, NC to Colorado and the Four Corners area of the Southwest. This long-awaited trip will take us down many miles of highway, through gorgeous national parks, and deep into the wild lands of family time with teens. Meet the companions:

Bob: husband and dad, inspiration for this epic trip thanks to his past life as a hippie who fell in love with Colorado and our beautiful country back during his “gap year(s)” as a Deadhead Snowboarder. Also the Default Driver, the Clock-Watcher, and the Brewery-Finder.

Lia: 14 year old daughter and sister, classic generation Z girl who loves traveling and adventures almost as much as her friends and photo ops. This is a long time to be away from her Bae (cherished sisterhood) and a long time to sit next to her little brother, but of all of us, she’ll be the last to lose hope in the epic possibilities ahead of us. Also, trip photographer, souvenir spender, and helpful eye-roller (*eyeroll*).

Ben: Almost 12 year old son and brother, homebody and game boy, skeptically hoping the payoff of adventure is worth all this time in a nauseating car. Well-stocked with brain games and peppermints, however, he’ll be our trip map-follower, budget counselor, and comedy-relief.

Annie: wife and mom, channeling her late-father’s love of American highways and awe-inspiring vistas. Enthusiastic ambler and memory hoarder, this trip is also a “thank you” to Bob for the last few years of holding her up, and a “holding on” to the moments with Lia and Ben, before they start traveling their own roads. Stocked with her work computer, a hotspot jetpack, and a Game of Thrones tribute magazine, she is also the Back-up Driver, Clock-Ignorer, and Cucumber Slicer.