Road Trip

 We were discussing taking a road trip.  For us it is a matter if getting in the car and heading out, normally without a real plan - an idea but a plan? 

My brothers and I talked about what it was like to go on a trip growing up and it was when will we get to the destination. Whether Indiana, Ohio, or the Navajo Res, it was getting there.  One time I remember when the adventure was what we did getting there was when distant relatives came for a visit and suggested we go to Yellowstone.  Paul was one who saw a sign and headed down to look at the attraction. 

For us it was “oh let’s stop and look at the 4 corners.” And we stopped and got a picture and hopefully used a restroom (now in the 60s there were a lot of stops that might have a tree or a rock, no comfort room).  Our view of the Grand Canyon was a drive by and a quick stop.  “There, you saw it.”

Road trips for us began when I came back from Thailand and we headed to Vail.  Just an up and let’s go.  For the most of our military time are road trips were going home, get in the car and head out.  One reason was vaca time included weekends.  So if I were taking two weeks, it was 14 days, not 10.  We would find ways to skirt that, but every day had to count.  But Europe opened our eyes to a different type of road trip, day trips that would encompass 5 countries.  (Germany, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Netherlands), and the hops to Italy and England.  Not to forget the train to Berlin.

Since then we would arrange our trips around what we called the anniversary/birthday joint operation. Must have some justification for getting in the car or hopping a flight and heading out (and no kids).

I have heard as stated above, getting there is just as much as the adventure as reaching our destination.  The last road trip was exactly that.  What for some would have been a two or three day get there took us 6 days, and some of the detours we had to take because I misheard the GPS really provided to be an experience.  Two lane roads in central Florida allows you to see some wonderful countryside. 

A trip to Santa Fe for the Christmas lights is a great weekend get-away

How do you road trip?