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A er years of beachside brunches, lovely oral ar-rangements and mimosa toasts, what do you do for a unique and memorable Mothers Day? How about ditching the norm (well, keep the mimosas) and setting out on a road trip?! I got the idea from a friend who talked about wanting to do a cross-country drive in an Airstream. As I be-gan planning, I thought back to all the

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4 Women, 3 Generations,

1 AirstreamIT WAS AN ADVENTURE THEYLL NEVER FORGET! WRITER

AMY ELISA KEITH TAKES HER GRANDMOTHER, MOTHER AND SISTER ON A GIRLS GETAWAY TO LAS VEGAS.

road trips my family took in the 80s to Palm Springs for tennis tournaments, to Camarillo for outlet shopping and up to Yosemite National Park, where I swore I saw a bear.

But this time, as grown women, we could enjoy the trip in a new way. My nana, Geneva, 83, has become much more sassy and con dent in her old age. Joy, my mom, has never been short on sass, plus shes eyeing a retirement from

medicine. Naima, my sister, 32, lives in Harlem, and her busy life as an art cu-rator leaves little time for sisterly phone calls. And at 30, Im navigating the cra-ziness of home ownership and trying to get my mom to stop derailing my savings plan with ploys of hitting Saks.

My plan? A weekend to celebrate my mom turning the big 6-0. Of course, the trip was even better considering our wheels: a rented plush, Beyonc-worthy Airstream Interstate RV. It spoiled us with a minibathroom, a full bed, plenty of seating, stemware for some on-the-road bubbly and Pandora radio, which was es-sential for our Al Green sing-alongs.

And so it began: a four-and-one-half-hour, 275-mile journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

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Joy, the birthday celebrant; Below, Amy, N

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Naima and Mom

Amy and Nana

beside the RV.

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Clocking MilesClocking MilesClocking MilesClocking MilesThe ladies took turns keeping me company as I drove. During the rst shi , Mom inquired about my boyfriend. Then she said, You know, when I was your age, I was pregnant with you and married to your father. A few years later they divorced, and there she was, a single mother with a 4-year-old and a 6-year-old. It wasnt the plan, but we had some good times, didnt we? Family doubles matches, mother-daughters fashion shows and Michael Jacksons Bad tour. A new adventure, I said. Bad tour. A new adventure, I said. BadYep, just like the old days, she responded.

Picture PerfectMom, what is up that demure look on your face? Be real; youre trying too hard, I said, laughing at a 1978 picture of my parents attempt to look sophisticated. Shoot, my little fro was cute. And I was demure back then sorta, she said with a smirk. And yall wouldnt have all those curls if I hadnt married your father. She loves to remind us that she gave us height, and he gave us our curly hair. .Your daddy was a mack.|back in the day. He may be square now, but he thought.he was Super Fly,. said my mom, barely able to keep a said my mom, barely able to keep a straight face while ipping through photo albums. Oh, straight face while ipping through photo albums. Oh, Lord Jesus, I said as we pulled into the gas station. You just look so shy, Naima added. But like her moth-er, Mom thought being reserved was how a wife should be. Thirty years later, Mama Joy wouldnt know shy if it stared her in the face. Oh, dont get it twisted, girls; I was y! A late bloomer, but Dr. Simmons was still y when I met your father. He knew! On that note, we hopped out of the RV just as Single Ladies came on, prompting a spontaneous photo shoot. Mom, of course, insisted she was Beyonc. I got stuck as Michelle, only because Naima is brown-skinned like Kelly. The truck-ers in Barstow surely thought we were quite the sight dancing around the diesel pump.

And Were OffAnd Were OffDespite some complaining from resident sleepyhead Naima, .we got on the road at 4:30 a.m. Trying to beat .we got on the road at 4:30 a.m. Trying to beat .tra c out of the city.tra c out of the city.tra c out of the city , we piled in and gave ourselves , we piled in and gave ourselves 45 minutes to get to West Covina, where we agreed we 45 minutes to get to West Covina, where we agreed we could reward ourselves with venti ca e, no whip, extra- hot lattes with an extra shot of espresso for good mea-sure. Although driving a huge RV seemed overwhelming at rst, it was a surprisingly smooth ride, and the rear-view camera made lane changes much easier.

Pulling the 23-foot-long RV into a Starbucks parking lot was quite a feat, especially in front of the looky-loos wondering what these Black women were doing trying to enter the drive-through. Fearing an accident and certain vacation buzzkill, Mom and Naima jumped out for the ca eine. Then a er a trickyand probably illegalU-turn, we were back on the 10 Freeway: full tank of diesel, me at the wheel, Nana asleep in the back and New Edi-tion bumping on Pandora just in time for sunrise.

Game Time Game Time Who knew Nana was a pinochle champ back in the day? Naima and I would have never guessed when we pulled out the cards and Connect Four. Well, I dont tell you girls everything, smirked Nana. Born Geneva Carter in Detroit, Nana married the rst man she ever dated. She met Wayne State University classmate Frank Simmons, a smooth-talking jock, and they soon got hitched. You know, I think he went out with me because I could help him with his homework, Nana said candidly. Aww, but you two were so in love, cmon now, said Mom, a true daddys girl. Well, the best thing was that he got us out of Detroit, Nana said, imitating a cold shiver. The rst in their families to leave Michigan, Nana and Grandfa-ther moved to L.A. when he got a job at the Veterans Hospital. I managed the money and made sure the bills were paid. We just divided up the responsibilities, said Nana of their 33-year marriage. I dont know if that worked, but thats all I knew. Nowadays, you girls are dat-ing longer, and I guess, learning more about men. Nai-ma chuckled, realizing that Nana was trying to get her to divulge details about her own relationship. But just before Naima could comment, Nana piped up, .Now ..all men my age want is a nurse with a purse.. Nearly Nearly choking on her oatmeal, Mom busted out laughing and choking on her oatmeal, Mom busted out laughing and rolled her hazel eyes. Never a dull moment.

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straight face while ipping through photo albums. Oh, Lord Jesus, I said as we pulled into the gas station. You just look so shy, Naima added. But like her moth-er, Mom thought being reserved was how a wife should be. Thirty years later, Mama Joy wouldnt know shy if it stared her in the face. Oh, dont get it twisted, girls; I was y! A late bloomer, but Dr. Simmons was still y when I met your father. He knew! On that note, we hopped out of the RV just as Single Ladies came on, prompting a spontaneous photo shoot. Mom, of course, insisted she was Beyonc. I got stuck as Michelle, only because Naima is brown-skinned like Kelly. The truck-ers in Barstow surely thought we were quite the sight dancing around the diesel pump.

Who knew Nana was a pinochle champ back in the day? Naima and I would have never guessed when we pulled Who knew Nana was a pinochle champ back in the day? Who knew Nana was a pinochle champ back in the day? Naima and I would have never guessed when we pulled Who knew Nana was a pinochle champ back in the day? Who knew Nana was a pinochle champ back in the day? Naima and I would have never guessed when we pulled Naima and I would have never guessed when we pulled

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Old photos prompted laughing fits, Old photos prompted laughing fits, especially the shot of Naima, 6, Old photos prompted laughing fits, especially the shot of Naima, 6, Old photos prompted laughing fits,

and and me, 4 (left); and our especially the shot of Naima, 6, and and me, 4 (left); and our especially the shot of Naima, 6,

parents back in the day..(below).parents back in the day..(below).and and me, 4 (left); and our parents back in the day..(below).and and me, 4 (left); and our

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Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby Vegas, Baby A er being unable to nd the Welcome to Las Vegas sign for a photo op, we pulled into the Cosmopolitan Hotels valet service. .First, up to our fabulous suite to..chill ve bottles of Veuve.. Hey, like Nana says: Its Hey, like Nana says: Its better to have and not need than to need and not have. better to have and not need than to need and not have. Next, lunch with cousin Nicole, who surprised Mom by ying in from Detroitof course, all a part of my mas-ter plan. Cheers to being sexy at 60, Nicole toasted. Yay! Mom shouted before insisting we stop for some shopping at Donna Karan, her fave. A er two mara-thons and all this working out, why do I still need these darn Spanx? she asked while trying on a gown. Nicole chimes in, Girl, who are you telling? Weve got those Simmons hips. Finally, I know what theyre talking about. A er years of being naturally skinny, I now own three di erent kinds of shapewear to combat jiggle. Diet starts next week, I said as we walked through Louis Vuitton. Right, Naima co-signed.

From cards on the road to the birthday surprise,

From cards on the road to the birthday surprise,

snapping pictures was a must.From cards on the road to the birthday sur

prise, snapping pictures was a must.From cards on the road to the birthday sur

prise,

Louis Vuitton. Right, Naima co-signed.

Brunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkBrunch, Booty & Baby TalkAn all-you-can-eat brunch is a Vegas must. Caesars Pal-ace had the new hot spot to try. A er rounds of Bloody Marys, mimosas and too many crab legs to count, we were by far the loudest group in the restaurant. In be-tween the cackles and requisite Giiiirl quips, nearby tables could hear bursts of, Can you believe we were dropping it on the dance oor? Followed by, You still got it! Mmmhmm. Admittedly, Mom and her friends have come full circle .living life as if theyre in their.living life as if theyre in their.living life as if theyre in their.20s, except now with more money.20s, except now with more money.20s, except now with more money and even more and even more gumption. Let me just see the day when my girls have gumption. Let me just see the day when my girls have little girls of their own, Lord Jesus, Mom said, gestur-ing with a piece of bacon. Grace shot o , Well Ive got, like, 10 grandkids, so you can have some of mine.

No Place Like HomeNo Place Like Home.I never want to see another glass of champagne,.Mom said, clutching her Starbucks. You know you had Mom said, clutching her Starbucks. You know you had fun, Mom, Naima reassured. Getting back on the road to drive home, Mom started to recall all the over-the-top birthdays shed had: On her 55th, we rented out a club and packed it with 200 friends and family. Her 50th included a house party with custom-made cookies that looked like Manolos. Whew! Youve done it all, Joy, Nana said while shaking her head. Birthdays have always been a big deal to us. As kids, every month our whole family would get together at my grandfathers house to celebrate the folks who had birthdays that month. Ill be 84 this year, girls, Nana said. That just means weve got to do something extra special, I said, shooting Nai-ma a wink to let her know we needed to start planning and scheming. Oh, no! No trip or big to-do; just you girlsthe four of us. Thatll be just ne, Nana replied.

Lady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckLady LuckNever hit the tables without a plan, Nicole advised, sounding like she knew from not-so-lucky past experienc-es. Thats why I stick to penny slots, Grace chimed in. Feet sore but egos pumped up a er some football players tried to holler at our multigenerational clique, we headed o to gamble. But a er a few rounds on the Sex and the City-themed slots, the birthday girl was ready for bed. Get some sleep, ladies. More fun tomorrow, said Naima, ever the tour guide and trip planner. To which Grace replied, There better be! I le [my husband] Michael at home!

Birthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBirthday GirlBefore heading to dinner at STK, a little photo shoot was Before heading to dinner at STK, a little photo shoot was in order. Smoky eyes? Check. Too-tight dress? Check. in order. Smoky eyes? Check. Too-tight dress? Check. Moms best friends for more than 30 years? Yay! In walk Moms best friends for more than 30 years? Yay! In walk two more surprises: Lynn and Grace, my moms BFFs two more surprises: Lynn and Grace, my moms BFFs who came to Vegas to celebrate. Taking along two bot-who came to Vegas to celebrate. Taking along two bot-tles of Veuve, we head out. (Hey, corkage fees are much tles of Veuve, we head out. (Hey, corkage fees are much cheaper than any restaurants wine list!) Ladies, Im so cheaper than any restaurants wine list!) Ladies, Im so glad youre all here, Mom said, beaming and holding up glad youre all here, Mom said, beaming and holding up her ute. Weve been through it all: marriages, a lot of her ute. Weve been through it all: marriages, a lot of divorces, babies, jobs. Weve done it all. Thank you for be-divorces, babies, jobs. Weve done it all. Thank you for be-ing there for me and being the amazing women you are. ing there for me and being the amazing women you are. Cheers! A er two bottles, three courses and a round of Cheers! A er two bottles, three courses and a round of Patrn Anejo shots, were o to Marquee nightclub (sans Patrn Anejo shots, were o to Marquee nightclub (sans Nana). Nana). .Three 60-year-olds, one 50-something and two.Three 60-year-olds, one 50-something and two. .30-somethingsthe bouncers couldnt help but smile.30-somethingsthe bouncers couldnt help but smile..