Madeleine Brown

Madeleine and Miranda at Jacob Lake, 23 July 2001

We drove for hours. We had a break or two, to go to the bathroom. We read our books, listened to our music, took naps, and watched part of Anne of Green Gables. (We hooked up our mini TV and put it on top of the cooler) Finally we arrived in Arizona!

We went to a campground and set up our tent. We have a HUGE tent. After a while, my mom’s college roommate met up with us and her family. (Thomas, Melora, Tyler (15), Jordan (12), Miranda (7), and Jennica (4). They set up their tent and we had taco salad for dinner. Both families sat by the fire and roasted marsh-mellows. Yum! We brushed our teeth and went bed. In the middle of the night we heard coyotes howling by the moon.

The next day was cold, just like the day before. For breakfast, we all ate sausage, pancakes, hot chocolate, and scrambled eggs. Then, the big people folded up our tents, and we packed up. We jumbled up different people in the cars, and drove to Grand Canyon. It was beautiful We visited the North Rim. It was neat. Then we went to St. George.

We checked into our hotels and ordered pizza. Then, the parents left to see a play in Tuacahn named Oklahoma. The kids watched a movie and had gone to bed when the parents came home.

Madeleine doing the rocket launch 24 July 2001

The next day was the 24th of July. (Thomas’s birthday!) The continental breakfast was great. They had everything there. After breakfast we found out where a parade was and went to it. Steve Breinholt drove a black car with some girls in it. We went home and everyone decided to go swimming except for the moms. Tyler, Thomas, and Dad did a super rocket launch where you would stand on their hands, then, they would boost you up high in the air and you would splash into the water! The moms departed to the store to buy food and presents for Thomas. Everyone had lunch and then took naps. After our naps we celebrated Thomas’s birthday! He got a watch and a book called What Dads Can’t Do. It’s a cute one.

For dinner, we walked across the street to McDonalds. They had a special deal. Later that night everybody piled into Hugo and drove to see The Sound of Music. I got sick and my stomach didn’t enjoy my dinner too much. But, I still ended up seeing the play. Steve and Stephanie Breinholt were in both plays. They did a superb job! I’m proud to be related to them. Everyone was tired by the time it was over. We got to talk to Steve and Stephanie at the end. I loved their costumes!

The following day, the Collettes left early in the morning but we slept in. We had breakfast and drove back to our home. Later that afternoon, the Collettes came and we had strawberries with whipcream, sloppy joes, and tuna melts. We said our goodbyes and the Collettes drove off. “Now that was an awesome trip!”