On a whim, we left the farm in Iowa and set off across country with three young kids in a new Ford Focus piled high and packed to the brim. We followed the old Lincoln Highway through Iowa and then along the Platte River through Nebraska; hence down the north-east corner of Colorado to traverse the Rockies and sleep in Grand Junction; hence through that beautiful country of southern Utah and to Las Vegas; finally the desert of eastern California and the blessed Beach Cities, including our destination, Huntington Beach. The car went well—a testament to American car manufacturers. The kids behaved—a testament to a portable DVD player and three Game Boys. The KOA campgrounds were comfortable and quiet and a great place for kids to stay. Las Vegas and Excalibur were a kids’ delight although it cost me a fortune for them to play every electronic game in the packed halls.

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