California dreaming

Summer. 1988. California. I was 15 and flew to LAX all by myself like a big girl. I spent the entire summer (almost 2 months) with my friend, Julie K, and her family. (As well as some time with a new friend....) I have loved California ever since. In fact, I adore California. So when we decided we would take the kids to the US this summer, I told my hubby we have to go to California. I didn't even have to twist his arm once, he agreed immediately!

We left a cold and wet Norway on 17 June only to arrive in a wet and chillier than normal Salt Lake City. We spent a few days with my lovely sister and her family before we hopped in the car and drove west.

It's quite a drive from Salt Lake to Anaheim. Especially with a 3 year old who is crazier than ever in the back seat. In order to keep our sanity, we stopped in Las Vegas and spent the night there.

Now, I'm not one of those people who likes to take something for everything if you know what I mean. On the other hand, I don't care so much for kids puking in the car either. So when you have an 8 year old who always ends up getting car sick on road trips, you cave in and give her something for motion sickness. So, we decided to introduce her to Dramamine. I'm not that familiar with it, really, since I've never had to take it and when going on road trips in Norway we give her some Norwegian drug. Had I known the following possible side effects beforehand, I probably would have reconsidered:

"The auditory/visual hallucinations coupled with the ensuing confusion and short-term memory loss often leads to mild or intensive paranoia among the users. Though auditory hallucinations are more common than visual hallucinations, the visuals of a "Dramamine Trip" can seem very real."

OK, so we didn't give her a high dose, just half a pill as instructed on the label, and therefore she didn't see any frightening creatures, such as zombies or insects, and she didn't have conversations with non-existing people. HOWEVER, the poor kid was drugged. Once we got to Vegas, she looked a little confused and said "Mom, I just don't feel like myself." It was actually kind of scary. I guess even half a pill was too much for a very lean 8 year old. I swore I would deal with the puking in the car the next day when we left for Anaheim. But, she did just fine without it. Thank goodness! I think it's because the roads in America are bigger and better.

I did consider giving something to knock our 3 year old out. She was a terror in the back. She is a trouble maker, that one. At one point I told her if she didn't knock it off, I'd tie her to the top of the car for the remainder of the drive. I was able to enjoy a few minutes of silence before she declared, full of anticipation even, that she wanted to be tied to the top of the car. I just don't even have a comment for that. Thankfully, we all made it to Anaheim in one piece.

This was the first part of my travel description. Rest assured that there will be more. I have lots more to share about our wonderful vacation.

Here are some Las Vegas pictures:

I guess they did get along in the back seat as well.


Amilia driving. Scary thought!

Amilia doesn't quite know what to think of Elvis.

She loves the M, though.