Oh, The Memories of a Road Trip

There’s no more fertile ground for priceless memories than those experienced during a family road trip. Packing up the car with snacks, pillows, games, and more snacks that sit atop overstuffed suitcases sets the stage for a multitude of family adventures. Growing up, I was so excited the night before our annual trip to New York to see extended family. I have no idea how our family of 7 and a week’s worth of vacation stuff fit into our blue and white Chevy station wagon. I’m dating myself, but I recall my dad picking up the triptik spiral-bound driving directions from AAA prior to our departure. Each year my mom would insist we take “the scenic route” which often left us lost somewhere in the middle of western Pennsylvania. Being trapped in a car with your brothers and sisters is also prime space for a variety of fun escapades. Either you get along doing the alphabet game with highway billboards and trying to identify license plates from all 50 states, or you wish your sister was never born after she pukes all over your lap (my brother, Neil, ultimately forgave me). 

Every road trip leaves behind a trail of memories, but my daughter-in-law’s recent road trip to visit her family just might be worthy of a gold medal in how to maintain a sense of humor. With her 5 kids in tow and accompanied by a friend and her daughter, Colleen set off for the 10 hour drive to Philadelphia. Now, mind you, the two moms were toting 6 children whose ages ranged from 10 months to 7 years old.  Now, add car sickness. It didn’t take long to hear the familiar cries from the rear seats, “Mommy, my belly hurts.” That’s usually fair warning the entire contents of little stomachs will soon be expelled, and sure enough, that’s exactly what happened – over and over again.

Not surprised or phased, my daughter-in-law dealt with the barf bags. A bit of vomiting in the car would not deter her. They arrived at the rented Airbnb just outside Philly only to find out the air conditioning wasn’t working. Despite 90 degree weather, her attitude remained positive. I mean, being hot is a state of mind, right? Unless you spike a fever, then hot takes on a whole new meaning. That’s exactly what happened when three of the kids came down with burning foreheads and viral blisters in their mouths and all over their feet. This rapid wave of illness onset almost threatened Colleen’s ability to keep it together, but then she texted with a report that she was on her way to the local Emergency Department with her 6-year-old daughter whose recent spider bite caused swelling that became worrisome. I just couldn’t believe it. I reminded Colleen that someday this would all be funny. She said she was already laughing. Sometimes that’s all you can do.

And then, just when things were finally settling down, the power in the Airbnb went out.

I was exhausted just hearing about the litany of road trip challenges. Yet, as Colleen reminded me, these were all relatively minor inconveniences, and she remained grateful her kids were overall ok. I was grateful for that, too.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when the crew returned home safe and sound. I also knew this would be a trip for the record books. Many of my grandkids are too young to remember this sequence of road trip misfortunes, but I’m sure their mom will keep the memories alive regarding this road trip story that is now etched in their family history.  And yes, now, we are all laughing with.