Road Tripping

Rules of the road when traveling with Kris:

1. When the gas station has only one restroom, pull rank and make sure you use it first. 

2. Listen to lots of Elvis and Michael Jackson music. Kris will let you know he thinks you're goofy when you start chair dancing, but you know he's loving it.

3. If you provide a neck pillow and some of his favorite snacks he will be a very happy and entertaining travel companion. He has two settings: talking and sleeping. I love following his stream of consciousness to see what triggers his thoughts. What often seems like random blathering frequently has some deep feeling and emotion behind it. But there are times I'm pretty sure it is just random blathering.

4. When traveling through towns where Hallie & Ralph lived, listen to the stories Kris tells. He may be creating new family history, but there is often some truth behind what he's saying.

5. Go to cemeteries whenever possible, even if there is no reason to think there are any family members buried there. Kris loves cemeteries, and he will look for Jensens, Halls and Bakers.

St. George Cemetery - 2010

No known relatives are buried here, but Kris was quick to find some Bakers and Halls, and wanted to spend time alone at their headstones.

Provo Cemetery - 2012

Willamette National Cemetery - 2012

When we visited the grave of his grandparents in the Brigham City cemetery we were able to understand why he spoke so frequently of a little baby named Raymond who had died. That name was carved on the back of the headstone of James Peter and Laura Baker Jensen. Born and died in 1903, he was their firstborn.

 Brigham City Cemetery - 2013

6. If your sister lets you use her Beamer convertible, Kris will be more than happy to accompany you wherever you go. Otherwise, expect to hear "No more vacations!" every time he learns a trip is in the works. However, once he's packed and on the road he's very pleasant company.