The Family Roadtrip
Remember when you were a kid when the family would take the annual summer roadtrip? My parents owned a Ford LTD stationwagon that was mint green with faux wood panelling. Two parents, four kids and luggage for 2 weeks was loaded into and on top of the car. One of us usually had to ride in the “way back” stretched out on top of the duffle bags. That was the primo spot because you could actually lay down and sleep.
We just took the family 2700 miles across the Southwest, Colorado and Utah. With three kids we don’t have to worry about the safety concerns of someone having to ride atop the luggage in the “way back.” Everyone is buckled in safely in the second row. Oh sure, they have Gameboys, iPods and a portable DVD player (for that last 2 hours of the drive), but the kids also read books, played games with one another and got to see open stretches of Arizona desert, the Colorado Rockies and Utah rock formations. We have a game that we play because my daughter loves dogs. We take turns trying to name every breed of dog we can think of until we run out. We have fun.
As a parent, it was fun to share this greatest of family past times with my own children. I remember my own experiences in the car as a kid and they weren’t all bad. It was always exciting! An adventure! As an adult I really enjoyed the concentrated time in the car with the family. Even though the kids got bored from time to time and they would fight on occasion, the experience and bonding that we all shared was priceless. The endless time on the road provided plenty of opportunity to laugh, share and experience our children without the distraction of television, homework and phone calls. It was a great way to grow closer to those we love.
This past time has grown in popularity recently because of and in spite of rising gas prices. For us it was a no brainer, driving 5 people to Colorado versus flying was much more inexpensive, even with the gas prices. Sure it took us a couple of days to get there and to get back. But the concentrated time spent together enjoying one another’s company and learning about our children is invaluable. To me, it was worth the time.
The road of life is short. Enjoy the ride!
