Car ride comedy.

In my journal 6/16/11 I started a list of Turner colloquialisms experienced on the move back east, day one. It reads:

1.

Me: "How's your Zbar?"

T: "Disgustingly yummy." [phonetic representation is Dis kuuus ting lee yuu uh uh uh uh UH mee] Z bar, by the way, is a protein bar with only organic ingredients. Great source of iron and calcium too. They taste really great, as a bonus.

2.

As we are leaving Sedona, which was such a wonderful good bye to Arizona, Andy and I are pointing out beautiful red rocks jutting up out of the earth on both sides of the highway. We move roundabout to roundabout winding toward the interstate, captivated by the rugged landscape. Andy asks Turner, "Do you want to go to the painted desert?"

T responds, "No. I don't want to see anymore beautiful stuff." He sighs loudly, and then we sit in silence for several miles. Then he shouts out as though stung by a bee, "Oh!" He points out the window and sing songs with a big smile, "how pretty."

3.

We're passing Lotawatah Road in Oklahoma. The interstate passes over a lake with a lot of water (lotawatah). Turner asks, Is that water from ____[can't remember what name of a city he offered]___. I respond, "Yes." He says matter of fact, "oh well then that's definitely crocodile creek." He nods his head up and down.

4.

As we drive through Oklahoma, our surroundings get greener. Grass shows up. Trees are tall with leaves. The sandy reddish clay is replaced by dark dirt. From silence Turner shouts out, "Hey. This is the route to my cousin's house!"

5.

Day two, we get into Arkansas. Just as we cross the state line, Turner asks, "Where's a pirate's favorite place to hang out? In ARRRkansas." I asked Andy to write this in my journal. He also added, "This comes from our last night in town sitting at the kitchen table with the Juárez / Kirkpatrick clan telling pirate jokes." Kilan, Cielo, and Turner have entertained us so often at that kitchen table.

Our journey east was short and pleasant. It was not in the least tainted by the misfortune plaguing our move west. We're moving home, so I think we got some lucky breaks this time. Turner, as usual, was an interesting conversationalist and patient car-rider. We left Tucson Wednesday and arrived in Sedona that night in time to grab two glasses of wine and pack a snack for the sunset. We left mid morning and drove until we reached Oklahoma City, stopping to pee only when we had need for fuel. In the car it was a perpetual cycle of food. I made sandwiches to order and provided a rotating selection of healthy and sweet snacks. We drew pictures. We talked about memories. We read stories and stories and stories. I wrote. Andy drove. During the nine hours I drove during the 29 hour trip, Andy slept. We visited the Oklahoma City memorial and took the time and space to talk with Turner about this aspect of American history. We stopped in Albuquerque to eat at a pub Marissa and Todd took us to when our families went snow skiing together. We drove until 11 pm when we finally arrived at Dugantown Estates. Nanny was on the couch waiting as usual.