I WILL GO ANYWHERE. Pretty much, anyway. It’s a trait I learned at home, partly inspired by the National Geographic magazines, aided by the many books we had, and boosted by our own parents’ travels. This week I’m in Washington DC, taking my child to the sites our parents took us to on a trip when we were young. So, Margaret: here’s a quiz for you. The first-ever Roach Family On-the-Road Quiz. Hope you pass.
1. While in Washington, we went to FBI headquarters and had a private behind-the-scenes tour. What was the display that our mother tried to block us from seeing?
2. There was one fancy restaurant during that week in DC. I had lamb chops, whose little bones were covered in those mini-chef hats paper-thingy’s. They were pink–the papery-thingy’s (though so was the lamb). What did you eat?
3. Ford’s Theater was scary and sad, but not nearly so much as what other Lincoln site that we witnessed. What was it?
4. How did we travel to Washington, by the way, and what was it our parents drank out of that ever-present Scotch thermos?
5. And what nation-changing events were going on while we were there?
That’s enough for now, sister. Next week: Atlantic City! Remember how we locked ourselves in an enormous walk-in closet and had to be rescued by the handyman who finally took the entire lock off the closet door?
No? What family did you grow up in?
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First time here? Here's the idea: 
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel fairly certain I can ace this one (surprise, Marion…but I am capable of a perfect score, finally, on one of your Memory Lane-type challenges that you always pose for me). And the answers are:
1. No idea.
2. No idea.
3. No idea.
4. No idea.
5. No idea.
Yes, 5-for-5. That’s me on the Comparative Recollection Scale of Childhood. Now our trip to Mexico City during the 1968 Olympic year, and the harrowing ride up that mountain to Taxco and the green pottery baking dish we brought back so our parents could make paella (gross) and San Miguel de Allende…that I recall. The nation’s capital: Not so much.
Oh my gosh that’s so funny. As the youngest, I was always the one that seemed to remember all those “events” from our childhood and could stump my siblings. But now, middle-age brain has affected me, too. We never went anywhere, though, so I’m sure an actual TRIP would stand out (if we’d had any).
I hope you are enjoying your trip. I’m hoping for lots of photos for an upcoming post.
Here’s my latest accolade
http://tinyurl.com/5oeyu9
Yo, Margaret:
1. What a surprise.
2. Gee, who knew?
3. Never would have thought it.
4. I’m totally shocked.
5. Wow, you could have fooled me.
xox
Marion
Hi, Christine. I wonder if the youngest holds onto the details, while the oldest has the themes. You know what I mean? Margaret has a narrative while I seem to have the decor, in some weird way. Hmmm. Gotta ponder this some more.
Hi, Jim. I am taking loads of photos, if only to dislodge Margaret’s memory. Ha!
I know this is completely beside the point, but my parents travelled with a high-test Scotch thermos also. Part of the portable bar, disguised as a small valise. Required for the motel (instead of hotel) crowd. And I have often wished I had one of my own.
Hey, Winetipper. Not beside the point at all. I love that. I wonder who else had parents whose alcohol accoutrements are so well-remembered.