Road Trip Memories

Rumor has it that because of the high gas prices some people are not taking their summer vacations. I just think that’s an excuse. Of course because airfare for six is so expensive our family doesn’t fly, we road trip. So even at $4.00 a gallon we drive our family of six in the minivan from home to either coast and back for less than one or two airline tickets. And the way flying is these days with delays, security hassles and lost luggage, driving is a lot more relaxing, too, even when we leave at midnight.

Of course the whole “family road trip” thing is in my blood. As a kid I always looked forward to climbing aboard the family Oldsmobile and heading across the county for the summer adventure. We didn’t even let the gas crisis of the 70’s keep us off the roads. Thanks to my parents I’d been in all the lower 48 states and countless National Parks by the time I went to college. And it wasn’t because we were wealthy that we could afford our travels. My mom is a great budgeter and my dad is “Mr. Friendly” so we pitched a tent, stayed with long lost friends and relatives, or slept in the car. Once in a while if we had under spent we’d splurge on a roadside motel.

I’m trying to give my kids that same love for the road and our beautiful country that I inherited. Sure there are those moments of friction when you’ve been tapped in a vehicle for hours on end with your family. But they tend to be so few and are overshadowed by the fun and adventures we share along the way.

We’re building family closeness and memories. I’m sure my kids will look back on these trips with the same appreciation I have when I remember my childhood trips. Who could forget the time we stopped because my dad had to go to the bathroom so badly that he accidentally went into the women’s restroom. Or the time the “biker gang” unlocked the car when we locked the keys inside. What about the yucky motel in Utah we were in when Elvis died. Gosh, I’m already smiling as I wonder what stories my kids will have to tell to their children.

If you don’t already “road trip” with your family you really should give it a try. And don’t think you’ve got to see everything just because you are “so close.” You’ve got to leave a few things for you kids to explore with their kids one day. We did our big road trip over spring break so this summer we’re just going on a short 1,500 round trip to visit relatives for a few days at the beach. I’ll catch up with you after I get back. The minivan leaves at midnight!

House Keeping in a Cluttered Mind - closet #5

It’s been kind of a busy week for me. I guess my lack of posting this week would be an indication of how far down blogging is on my priority list.

Earlier in the week we celebrated the 13th birthday of my oldest son. Now we’re a two teenager household. That got me to thinking about my early teenage years. I walked or rode my bike EVERYWHERE back then! My parents are still learning about some of the things I did or how far away from home I rode. Of course it was a different time back then and probably much safer. And yes, I even wore a helmet and . I bought a green Schwin ten-speed from Eddy. It wasn’t the greatest, but it got me through until I could afford a brand new bike. Bike riding here isn’t as interesting as back in Pennsylvania where we have hills and curves.

Besides biking, I also remember being brave enough in eighth grade to ask a girl if she’d like to “go out.” At that age “going out” really meant having your parents pick her up in the family sedan and have her accompany you to someplace. She was tall with short blond hair. She was on the swim team and her name was Jennifer. I asked her to go to a Youth For Christ pizza party. She accepted, however, right before the big “date” she broke her leg and we never did end up going out, ever.

I think it was around that time that I also started writing poetry. Writing and riding my bike were probably just how I dealt with all the weird stuff we have to go through at that stage of not being a kid anymore yet not being fully grown either. I know almost everybody wouldn’t go back to that time in their life no matter how many millions of dollars you’d pay them. But for me those were some really good years. No real conflict with my parents. No big crisis about all the mental, emotional and physical changes or over finding my “identity.”

I wonder how my kids will feel in 30 years or so when they look back at this time in their lives. I know I think they are great kids and they seem to be doing well. We seem to have open lines of communication. But there’s always those thoughts of wondering what is really going on in their noggins. I hope they are enjoying these years.

Celebrating 18 Years!

I find history very interesting, looking back and wondering what it must have been like or what was going through the minds of people as they were living certain events. Granted, eighteen years isn't very far back. But some day June 9, 1990 will become one of those dates in my future family's history. So, for them as well as you I'll put a few things down.

Being a bit on the frugal side, we tried to do a lot of stuff for ourselves. We bought tons of pastel M&Ms as the went on sale for Easter and stored them to use at the reception. Her mother made The dress and the bridesmaid's dresses were also made by her or the maids themselves. I was up half the night before filling the balloons. The wedding was early afternoon and followed by a cake reception so we didn't have to feed everybody. I have no idea how I got through singing "I Will Be Here" to my bride. Some of the other songs seemed waaaaaayyyy too long as we stood holding hands and whispering to each other as the crowd stared at us.

Here are a coulpe of things I highly recommend. We had the family and our wedding party over the Monday evening after our Saturday wedding for a present opening party. It was much more relaxed than doing it at the reception or right away. Also, we waited a week before we left for the honeymoon. That was a huge bonus. It not only gave us time to settle in. It also made us more rested so we could really enjoy the honeymoon. (Also I didn't have to worry about my all underwear being taken out of my suitcase and exchanged for little boy tidy-whities by my "friends." Scott, you have to admit that was really funny!)

I don't think I'd recognize that we were the same young couple. We traded in our CRX and Grand Am for two minivans. Our quite home has exploded to shelter four kids, a cat and three hampsters. Then of course I look into her eyes and see the same sparkle. I hold her hand and still feel the pitter-patter. We even still say the same things at the exact same time. For better, for worse. For richer, for poorer. We're not perfect. But I can't really think of an instance where it hasn't been the "better." And though the bank accont isn't very big, I am rich beyond what money can buy.