Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Seven in Volkswagon to Grand Canyon

Click on the cover to download this article about a Cotten Family vacation in 1956.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

my recollection of the back "window" seat is different than the written word. bari

Bari McLean said...

another recollection of the back "window" seat was that it was dam scratchy, not sure what volks made the carpet out of, but it was like a stiff scrub brush. So put two kids, ages 2 and 4,, almost 3 and 5, and enough cushioning to protect us against the carpet, pillows, blankets, and there just isn't much room left. It was cozy alright!!

Anonymous said...

Being squished and being cold, that's what I remember most... Yes, when I visited the Grand Canyon 40 years later I did recall I had been there before.... And I always remembered the bottle house -- I've often wished I could make one! I was more impressed with Hoover more 40 years later when I visited with Bob... I wasn't able to appreciate it as a teenager.
Our dad wanted us to have wonderful adventures... 7 of us in a Volkswagon for 2 full days was definitely an adventure in itself.
I do remember he would just spring a trip on us.... and Mama would quickly pack a picnic and bake a picnic sheet cake & off we'd all go! When we got home, she'd make dinner by dipping the leftover sandwiches in beaten eggs & fry like french toast. They were yummy! She was a wonderful cook!
It was quite a treat for me to read this story.... seeing it from Dad's perspective (the parent) was sure different from my memories (the teenage child with no choice)... I do remember how cold it was & Dad having to keep driving around in order to keep us warm. Isn't that amazing! It really was a spectacular trip!
sammi

Anonymous said...

This brought great smiles, a lot of laughter and GREAT sympathy for my cousins and my Aunt Madelyn to be subject to the whims of my "Uncle Dick".

I'm passing this along to the other Thomas cousins--Larry, Kitty and Glenn--as well as the Rising cousin--Barbara Jo Rising Bunsold--and to the Schork cousins--Frank (Francis) and Greg.

Best,

Gordy (Gordon) Thomas
son of Carol Janice "Jan" Cotten