A father & his three children embark on an uncertain cross country journey in this emotional coming of age drama starring Oscar-nominee John Hawkes In the quiet pre-dawn hours of a New England morning Tom (Hawkes) rouses nine-year old Nat (Ty Simpkins) 12-year-old Greta (Ryan Simpkins) & their older sister Caroline (Kendall Toole) & hurries the trio into his dilapidated station wagon As their 3000 mile trip to California gets under way Tom talks dreamily of life on the West Coast while reassuring his kids that their mother isn't far behind Meanwhile Caroline resents being torn away from her boyfriend back home Greta holds her stuffed bunny Harrison tight & Nat longs to experience the majesty of the Grand Canyon With each mile they travel however Tom's mood seems to sour & before long a trip that was at first merely difficult becomes downright dangerous