Well I can't believe we have two trips across the country under our seat belts now (summer camp style)...the time just flew! I think we could have spent the whole summer cruising around the States, but alas we had to come home. Here are a few favorite snaps from our trip, we had the best time...and it was a very fun learning experience for all of us.
We left Seattle on a beautiful summer evening...it was a very
'Starry Night', just gorgeous. We drove for quite a while until we reached our destination...
Historic Route 66!
Our version of Route 66 that is...which took us wherever we wanted to go...and in our case, that meant Arizona and Louisiana.
So we traveled down the old dirt roads of long ago, listening to
Patsy Cline and the soundtrack from
'Oh Brother Where Art Thou' (minus the first song...prison road-work just wasn't putting us in the proper mood.)
Everything we could possibly need was on that road...diners, places to rest...and the most important of all, gas...from some old vintage gas pumps of course.
Sometimes the gas wasn't all that good...but it kept us rolling along anyway.
We traveled for two whole days, enduring all sorts of crazy weather...intense heat, lightning and thunder storms...and yes, even a little snow! Then finally, on the eve of our second day...
We arrived at our first destination...the
Grand Canyon!
The next morning proved to be a glorious one...the sun was out, the skies were blue...and the colors of the Canyon were shockingly vivid and bright...we couldn't have asked for more!
In every direction we looked, the Canyon greeted us with magnificent vistas and awe-inspiring views.
Some of us were brave enough to visit the
Skywalk...and I must say...it is definitely *not* for the faint of heart...but a must see & try either way!
And at the end of the day, when dusk started to set in....
And a sunset of 'grand' proportions was upon us, we decided it was time to start focusing on the next leg of our journey...
And to reminisce about the truly wonderful time we had exploring this 277 mile long, 18 mile wide, and 1 mile deep natural wonder of the world that happens to be right outside in our own back yard...pretty amazing!
Next stop...
New Orleans...for Mardi Gras of course!
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22 comments:
I just love the magic woven into your summer camp and to see the satisfaction on the faces of the little ones. Truly marvelous and no doubt the lesson will be embedded in the minds of your students.
Great post
Helenxx
Great post and fabulous artwork! It sounds like you made some great memories, and I can't wait to see what you come up with from New Orleans!
ciao
Helen...Such lovely comment, thank you. I also had much embedded in my mind...and heart. xo
Fabiana...Thank you so much! We wanted to stay in New Orleans a lot longer than we were able to...maybe next time! xo
Hello Jessica:
What a wonderful and highly imaginative way in which to present the record of your most recent trip. These painting and collages are truly lovely, not least because they are so individual and represent a personal view of how things appeared, something which, in our view, can rarely be achieved with a camera.
As a teacher you so clearly not only enrich the lives of the young people with whom you come into contact, but also are adept at drawing out their many and varied talents.
The Grand Canyon we should so love to see for ourselves and, in all probability, never will. But this, although very different, is as good.
I second the ladies above. Thank you for your kind comments. Have a good weekend!!
First I am most impressed by the beautiful art shown here!! Wow, you have some talented hands in that family. Second I am chomping at the bit to go on a road trip..have wanted to all summer and your detailed post made me yearn for one even more now!! So glad it was fun and enjoyable.....you keep me hoping that we can carve out a little time before we move for one! Thanks for sharing....
That was fantastic! I would love to do a road trip across the US staying at retro old motels but now that I'm getting on I don't think my back could take it any more. Paul McCartney did it a few years ago and i was very envious.
Oh my goodness, J! What magical works of art! Simply beautiful! You have many a budding artist on your hands there! What a wonderful, caring, talented teacher you are.
Your students are so fortunate to have you in their lives! Tell them that for me, will you? :)
Keep doing what you're doing, dear heart. When I was a young girl, I had the most amazing art teacher (much like you). She meant so much to me. Her classroom is alive and well in my memories, and she helped form who I am today, artistically. Your students will remember you in the same way, I'm certain.
I'm so proud of you!
xoxo
Jane&Lance...Thank you! My favorite part about teaching these art camps is seeing what imaginative creations the students bring forth...I just give them a guide line and then they have free reign to be as creative as they would like...it's always a treat, and always inspiring.
I'm so happy that you truly got a sense of the Grand Canyon through their artwork...and you never know, maybe one day you'll be able to see the real thing...miracles do happen! xo
Linnea...You're welcome, and thank you! xo
Enchanted...I hope you and your family *do* get to get to go on a road before the big move...it would be well deserved and such a wonderful experience for all. What you're seeing above is from our summer camp (Road Trip USA)...if only I truly would have been able to take them all to these locations...that would be the ultimate art camp, such a fun thought! Alas...we ended up driving to our destinations using our imaginations and google! ;)
B&P...So glad you enjoyed this! And I think your back would love relaxing in a cushy car seat whilst driving cross country, don't you? My silly back likes it...sitting good, standing for long periods of time, not so good. And if Sir Paul at his age could do it...so can you as you're still a young filly! Just be sure to take along a masseuse and all will be well. I'd like to learn more about his trip, sounds interesting. xo
Oh Dennice...Your comment is so very touching and encouraging, thank you, I'm a bit teary now. My dream is that my students carry these classes around with them forever, in some form or another...that they would be special somehow, as yours were. I love that you still have those memories. Your teacher must have seen what a talented soul she had in you...bless her heart!
btw- If (when) the class ever starts getting a little crazy...I'll be sure to remind them just how fortunate they are (huge wink!), and tell them you said so! ;D
xoxo
WOW! That sounds like such a wonderful trip. Doesn't everyone dream of travelling on Route 66? I love the pictures so much, just beautiful. Rachaelx
What a clever teacher you are Jessica! Such a beautiful way to travel the high and by-ways of the land!
FANtastic!!! A visual feast! Happy you had such a wonderful trip.
Rachael...Thank you!!! Route 66 from start to finish would be a dream trip...maybe one day! xo
Jacqueline...Thank you so much. It would have been fun to continue on those highways & byways...if only time had allowed it! xo
Elizabeth...I'm so happy that you think so...I love that term 'a visual feast', thank you!! xo
i want to go back in time and have you as my teacher... can God make that happen?
you are soooo amazing inside and out... i treasure you friend... xoxo
Pam...You are the absoute sweetest, thank you! And yes, God can make anything happen...so see you in class next week! We're traveling around the world this time, sooo perfect for you! ♥
xoxo
So adorable. Their creations are all so unique. I saw that dog in the last drawing. I will be posting a restaurant review for the famous restaurant "Blue Dog Cafe" soon!
The Bad Gas is very funny! That must be the happiest and most creative summer camp ever. Those children will grow up eager to travel and to show what they saw, full of hope and confidence.
Sarah...That is just to ironic!!! I can't wait to see *your* Blue dog post! xo
Mise...I know, the 'bad gas' cracked me up...it's so fun to see where there creative little minds go! And yes, we strive for happy...thank you!! It would be wonderful if they caught the travel bug as well as a love of art from these classes...that would be the colored icing on the painted cake!
xo
You're awesome, inspiring kids to draw and be creative. Your trip looks absolutely wonderful and am glad you had a great time! I always wanted to go to New Orleans , the canyons and I did like Seattle though I didn't get to stay long. I like the old vintage gas pump drawings too!
How did I miss these wonderful summer camp posts? I'm so glad I kept reading tonight...it would have been a shame to miss the Grand Canyon! What wonderful works of art...so creative!
xo annie
Now I see how fast time flies!! We just returned from that road trip...for REAL!! We drove to the Grand Canyon...via Rt. 66 and back to Houston. I love how you are fueling their imaginations.
Sarah! Oh my goodness! I'm teaching this camp again in August and think you should be my guest of honor for show and lots of 'tell'! How fun to have been able to actually do this trip...gets my wheels spinning just thinking about it! xoxo
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