Although we don't celebrate Thanksgiving Day in Australia, I wish you all a very happy day with family and friends.
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With all our US friends celebrating Thanksgiving today I thought I would recall our special Thanksgiving experience in 1993. We were spending a week in Phoenix as part of a six week US tour on our way back to Australia after almost a year in England. We booked to go on a bus trip to the Grand Canyon - small bus, nine people from various parts of the US and three Aussies.
It was a clear, sunny day, with drifts of snow hiding in sheltered places. The scenery along the way was varied and interesting, especially to us. The Grand Canyon was indeed, Grand. I don't remember the name of the place where we lunched, but as it was Thanksgiving Day, Richard, Sara and I decided that we should have the traditional TD dinner. All very nice and filling, too. More sightseeing in the afternoon, buying souveniers, chatting with our 'new friends for a day', and generally lapping up the scenery and experience of seeing one of the great wonders of the world, and trying to keep warm in the chilly wind. On the return journey, as we approached a small town (I don't remember which one) the driver asked if we wanted to stop for dinner or just keep going? I think the children outvoted the adults and we stopped at a motel/cafe for dinner. This establishment was evidently a regular stopping-point for the Phoenix/G.Canyon tours, and was obviously expecting us. There were no other diners and one long table was set up just for us, and the traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner that was served that night was certainly given the seal of approval by everyone. We were so glad that the children outvoted us, but maybe the driver would have told us we were expected and called in anyway.
For us it was a very memorable day - lovely travelling companions, spectacular scenery, delicious food and the feeling of having shared in an important tradition. We were indeed Thankful.
It was a clear, sunny day, with drifts of snow hiding in sheltered places. The scenery along the way was varied and interesting, especially to us. The Grand Canyon was indeed, Grand. I don't remember the name of the place where we lunched, but as it was Thanksgiving Day, Richard, Sara and I decided that we should have the traditional TD dinner. All very nice and filling, too. More sightseeing in the afternoon, buying souveniers, chatting with our 'new friends for a day', and generally lapping up the scenery and experience of seeing one of the great wonders of the world, and trying to keep warm in the chilly wind. On the return journey, as we approached a small town (I don't remember which one) the driver asked if we wanted to stop for dinner or just keep going? I think the children outvoted the adults and we stopped at a motel/cafe for dinner. This establishment was evidently a regular stopping-point for the Phoenix/G.Canyon tours, and was obviously expecting us. There were no other diners and one long table was set up just for us, and the traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner that was served that night was certainly given the seal of approval by everyone. We were so glad that the children outvoted us, but maybe the driver would have told us we were expected and called in anyway.
For us it was a very memorable day - lovely travelling companions, spectacular scenery, delicious food and the feeling of having shared in an important tradition. We were indeed Thankful.
Alice,
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful of the breakfast and walk I wish my mother in law lived close I would get her in to take a wlak down memory lane.
I too have spend a couple of thanksgivings in America and they were just such special times (I very much love the food! :o) very much) Your trip and the memories you have shared has my memory going now!
You have a lovely day with your "thanksgiving" memories
Lee-ann
Alice, I am so happy you had an opportunity to experience a traditional U.S.A. Thanksgiving dinner. It was very generous of the cafe to prepare such a delightful dinner for you hungry travelers and it's a very good thing the young people outvoted you adults.
ReplyDeleteWe will be thinking of you as we eat our dinner tomorrow. Happy U.S.A. Thanksgiving.
I tried to post this once and it wouldn't take it.. so please forgive me if both show up eventually... L
ReplyDeleteThat was so nice. sometimes we take special days for granted, forgetting the momentous things behind them. I think lots of 'truth' may have been lost along the years - Indians, and sharing different foods. I believe it has the heart of truth - even though I think it may have been embellished along the way. How blessed you are to partake of different regions traditions and how blessed we are that you share your experiences.
Wonderful words, Alice; there is a lot to be thankful for.
ReplyDeletesee that photo at the Grand Canyon? I have one in exactly the same spot! I will find it and post it sometime next week. It's raining here - and although the 'experts' say it is hampering the back burn - I can tell you I am doing the happy dance. My gardenias were looking so sorry yesterday, they have perked their heads up this morning.
ReplyDeletenext week is supposed to get up to the high 30's so they expect the fire to be a worry then. But we will see. thanks Alice, for your care and concern xo
What a great photo of you all :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounded like a fun time tourning and a wonderful dinner too- lucky for you it was Thanksgiving! l used to love going to my inlaws for this meal in the States- wonderful.
I love that picture Alice. I'm so glad you posted this again for those of us who didn't know you this time last year.
ReplyDeleteI suspect we stood in the same spot when we visited the Grand Canyon in 1979, about a week before we flew to Australia to live for 3 and a half years. It certainly is a spectacular view.
It sounds like a memorable day and the TD at the end was the icing on the cake...or the gravy on the turkey, perhaps :)
Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes. I'm thankful to call you my friend! xo
Sounds like a wonderful trip and memory. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Here in Boston I had dinner with friends who used Colonial-era recipes.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Australia
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