
We're bringing the charming and beautiful Susan her car so that when she has Ali in California, she'll be able to shuttle her around.
We have the back seat folded down with everything packed to one side of the car. We put down sleeping bags and pillows on the open side. This little car (a Pontiac Vibe) is quite spacious. The front passenger seat even folds down flat. With the back seat folded down and the front seat folded flat, we have a long surface for one of us to stretch out on and take a nap while the other drives.
It's amazing how refreshing a one hour nap is. I call this my "hour of power." Short naps are the key putting in a good day on the road.
We got to Phoenix, checked in to our motel, and hit one of those old fashioned diners like my mom and dad used to stop at when they took us kids on road. It's kind of cool sitting with my boy in one of these places while we're on a road trip. I'm learning that my son has grown into quite a young man.
Aaron was staring out the window and I asked him what he was thinking about.
"I'm looking at that guy across the street."
I turned to see what he was looking at. There was a homeless guy sitting on a milk crate with a cardboard sign in his hand. Aaron was itching to help the guy or talk to him. After a couple of minutes, Aaron excused himself to go to the bathroom. While he was gone, I grabbed my server and ordered a cheeseburger and fries to go.
Aaron came back to the table and we ate our meals pretty much in silence--we were both wiped out. But he kept looking out the window at the homeless guy.
I didn't say anything. I just left him with his thoughts.
The server brought the check and told me my to go order would be right up. Aaron gave me a weird look and said, "Man, you must be hungry."
I said, "No, but that dude is." Our server walked up with my Styrofoam containers. Aaron just smiled and trotted across the street with the food.
I don't think I would have even noticed that guy if Aaron didn't point him out. He has a tender heart and I'm proud of him. He's light years ahead of where I was at eighteen.

other stats:
most expensive gas: $3.33/gal. (West Texas)
best gas mileage: 33 miles/gal.
temperature in Phoenix at 6:00pm: 104 degrees