When I was younger my family traveled a bit more. I've only ever been on a plane once in my elementary years and I don't remember much of it. My family of seven used to pack into a car and take to the road to make our trips across state lines. Here are ten vague memories I have of our road trips.
- Super-packing - I highly doubt that anyone could pack more efficiently than my parents. The amount of luggage and such that we packed into our car should not have been scientifically possible. I can remember my dad fastening a large grey bag to the roof of our car to afford us even more storage space.
- The Radio - There were a number of familiar songs that would come on often and to this day I remember those songs and eyes on the road as we sang along. A few of my favorites were Drift Away, Underneath it All, In the Living Years, and Cruisin'.
- The Candy Shop - Occasionally we'd stop by this vintage candy shop along a familiar route that sold old-style candy at a price reminiscent of simpler times. I have no idea where it was or if it is still around, but I so loved stopping there.
- Sleep Singing - My dad handled most of the driving on our trips since my mother was not fond of driving and especially hated highways (she still does). When he grew tired at the wheel he would sing some strange version of the songs on the radio, or other songs that came to his mind. Honestly the resulting sound may not have qualified as singing, but it helped him to stay awake and it was familiar to me always.
- Non-electronic Games -Before we had portable electronic games or worse, phones, we only had one another, our word puzzle books and a few brain games. We loved it all. One of my favorites was Brain Quest.
- Books, books, books - Although reading in the car can sometimes make you carsick, I mastered the art of doing it. I got so much reading done on our road trips. In a family as big and as talkative as ours, quite time is a necessity during long hours on the road. The best silence you can have in such moments is that which accompanies reading.
- Rest (stop) - There are two kinds of rest stops that I know of. One is the traditional kinds, where you pull off an exit and find a roadside parking or picnic area where you can stretch your legs, use rest rooms, get refreshments, etc. The second is the Georges kinds where you pull over on the side of the road, switch on your emergency lights, and say a prayer as you sorta-kinda sleep with one eye open.
- The Sun - Sunrises and sunsets are like roadside pictures, so beautiful to watch. Did you know the shades of the sky are quite different across state lines? I especially loved watching the sun peek up over and creep behind mountains.
- Crossing Borders - The excitement of crossing borders never ends. It's kind of crazy how easy it is to be in a new state in a matter of seconds. It feels so wonderful to have that mark of progress after putting in hours on the road. I always picked up one of those state maps at rest stops to mark the cities and states we stopped in.
- The End - One fantastic part of any road trip is the end. Reaching your destination is a welcome relief for legs in need of stretching and fathers tired of driving. It brings about a sense of accomplishment and the excitement of the beginning of whatever adventure you set out for.