I200 miles. From Texas to Wisconsin. Stop cringing. It hasn’t been too bad….yet.
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I’m not sure we are saving any
money over flying.
I am a seasoned long haul road tripper. I love road trips, after intense conditioning
by frequent road trips of my youth. My parents did not believe in, nor could
afford, air travel. We drove
everywhere. Back in the day when…
Old School: I tell Handsome
Little Man, “We didn’t have smart phones, iPads, DVD players. Gasp!
We had to use our imaginations.
Play the sign game. Or the
license plate game. We’d have to
read. Sing. Have conservations. Look out the window. Enjoy the landscape. Annoy your sibling.” (Yes, a true sign of
getting older is “when I was your age” speech.)
My older sister used to play dead. Ok, she was just sleeping, ignoring her
little sister. After countless pokes of
non-responsiveness, she’d win. I’d start
crying, thinking my sister had died in the backseat of the family car. Game over when the parents, annoyed, tell her
to knock it off.
My Dad would say “THIS is America.” Sometimes referring to the amazing American
landscape. More times than not, making reference
to the unbearable smell of manure. Or
dead skunk.
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Dad, now Grandpa, also overuses a hand gesture that only he
knows the meaning, that he gives to drivers he thinks deserves it. The slow driver. The signal-lights-are-optional driver. The tailgater. And now these days the-distracted-on-the-cell-phone
driver. He has done all the driving this
trip. I’ve only had to grip my oh-shit
handle twice each day.
It amazes me that there are so many Americans who never
cross state lines. Never enjoyed the
open road. Never seen the grandeur of
America from the car. I am fortunate
that I have. Road trips broaden my
perspective. I appreciate people from
different parts of the country. Certainly helps during election year when I
see the map of red vs blue states. I am
much more tolerant. I am much more
appreciative of our collective persona.
I wish every American, especially the youth, should have a
chance for a multi-state road trip. There’s a whole country out there, not as
depicted on TV by Hollywood, or by politicians in DC. It can only foster hope for America. Acknowledge everything that contributes to
our greatness.
Back to today’s road trip.
We are traveling to Wisconsin to celebrate my grandparents’ 70th
anniversary. 70 years!
The kids are happily watching from the dropdown DVD
player. If that should fail, I have a
portable DVD player, an iPad, and a slew of DVDs. I have books, workbooks, toys. Neither kid has to look out the window. Although that would be a shame. We point out things but they are not easily
impressed. I am emphatically pointing out
the St. Louis arch, spouting out facts that I probably misremembered, telling
him one day we are going all the way to the top.
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| Are we there yet? |
Back in the day, my Dad mapped out our road trips with
military precision. Up before the crack
of dawn, he’d have the car packed before my mom, sis, and I were barely out of
bed. I advised him that I travel
differently with young children.
(1)
No matter what time we get up, we won’t actually
hit the road until 10:00 am. He should
consider any departure before 10:00 am a bonus.
(2)
We are required to stop more frequently and when
we do, there is no such thing as a “quick potty break.” Stopping for gas will turn into a quick potty
break, too. Add a minimum of 30 minutes to your
travel time for each stop.
(3)
Hotel swimming pools are essential!
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We are now back home in Texas. 2400+ miles.
6 days of driving. 6 days of visiting.
12 days of fun! The grandparents
enjoyed the quality time with their grandkids.
I enjoyed that I didn’t have to drive.
For the record, I did offer.
However, Grandpa did want to remain in control of some things. It was all good – I actually read 3 books
from start to finish. 3 books,
people! There is little time for
leisure reading at this point in my life, so reading 3 books seemed quite
indulgent. Although I was reading for
self-development. (A business plan is
underway!)
