Chandler and I are starting into the third day of our Grand Canyon Road trip. I am happy to report that Chandler appears to be the one Fischer who seems to be capable of enjoying this with me. Having grown up in a family that took a Route 66 road trip from California to Texas every summer in a 1950 Ford, it’s in my blood. Even though I’ve got the gps lady on my iPhone directing me where to turn, I did go to the local AAA office and have them help me plan our trip on a real road map. I want Chandler to experience following along on a map with the paper folded and creased to show your trip and nothing else. So far he’s impressed, especially asking lots of questions about the original Route 66.
What is it about roads and maps and driving that intrigues me? I’ve often wondered about that. Is it just that my most vivid family memories are on this trip or is there something inherent in the whole process of planning and executing a trip?
Surely there is something to being able to map out where you want to go when the rest of life seems so unmanageable. There doesn’t seem to be much in our lives that wants to cooperate with a map.
Solomon commented on this in Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” The plans of the man and the direction of the Lord may or may not have anything to do with each other. I happen to think the Lord will take into account the plans that we make for ourselves but He will be directing our steps through the fulfillment or the change in those plans. Somehow He’s going to work it all out to His glory. That does not mean we don’t make plans. It just means the fulfillment of our plans may mean nothing if God isn’t directing our steps. God’s direction is more important than our plans.
Today, I plan to drive a little of the old Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona. I wonder if the Starlite Motel is still there. It was always our first stop after having crossed the hot desert in the cool of the night.
John Fischer The Catch 
What a wonderful time with your SON! Be sure to show him
CHANDLER Oklahoma
https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Just a small detour from Route 66
if you have time! Be blessed and safe in your travels.
When I was young in the ’50s we made the trip from Pasadena to Albuquerque in a gigundo hump-back Nash with a water bag tied on the front bumper for when the radiator would boil over. My Dad used to go play with rockets at White Sands – actually, I suppose that was work.
But yeah, much of life turns out to be not just unmanageable but also un-map-able. Thy Word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
John, I’m glad you’re doing that. I’ve never done the whole Route, but would like to do that before I die – and in a sports car like Buz and Tod. You might be interested in an article I wrote called “Hit the Road” (http://www.waitsel.com/travel/Hit_the_Road.html) It’s about the whole Route 66 concept of finding yourself by rediscovering America, which was popular back in the late 60s, early 70s. At that time (1971), I hitch-hiked across America from North Carolina, along the southern border, and up Highway 1 in California up to the Bay area. I tie in my trip with Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, John Ford’s Grapes Of Wrath and some other references. I think you’ll find it interesting and perhaps add to the enjoyment of your trip. Have fun. You are on sacred ground!
Sounds FUN 🙂 I have always wanted to drive Route 66–SOMEDAY!!
What is it about roads and maps and driving that intrigues me? There is something about having a map in hand and exploring. My husband and I took a road trip across the bottom half of our province one year and it will be blazed in our memory as the best holiday we ever took. The name of the road is called the red coat trail (named after the RCMP). It took us into many ghost towns, delightful camping spots, past a Jewish cemetary, past a cemetary carved out of stone in the Big Muddy.
We have plans someday in the future to follow Route 66 plus to do a driving and dining tour of Triple D.
Proverbs 16:9 and Isiah 55:8,9 have been mainstays in consulting God in the direction of my life. Thanks for the reminder of that, perfect timing. Consulting God daily is what Jesus did to plan His day. God loves to plan our day with us. Quite frankly it is enjoyable to plan your day with the God of the universe, I just love it.
A 1950 or 1949 Ford was one of my favorite cars as a child. As a young man I almost acquired one of about 15 years old with 50,000 miles on it. It was a dream that did not happen.
Thanks for the post, and will eagerly read your journey with Chandler. It is an enjoyable vicarious experience.