Road Tripping

We are going on a road trip tomorrow. I love me a good road trip. I have to wonder if it has anything to do with reliving our honeymoon.

For those of you who do not remember (or weren't around when it was originally posted) we didn't take a honeymoon. We left for Alaska five days after we were married, and spent the next nine days on the road. That was, um, interesting. We got to know a whole lot about each other that we really didn't want to right up front. Maybe that's why our marriage is so strong after sixteen years. There's nothing that can top that nine day road trip in some of the worst conditions known to married couples. We won't go into how Sam washed the car bra (shut up, it was fresh off the 80's) in the hotel bathtub before I got to shower one night, or how it took us 3 hours to drive 50 miles through axle-deep mud and snow, or the infamous lunch at Toad River, or how I couldn't get crumbs in the brand new Cavalier (may she rest in pieces).

Sam says our honeymoon was an all expense paid trip to Alaska. I say you don't come home from a honeymoon with a dog and a one year old that you didn't' have before you left. You can choose sides, but I'm right.

And after all that nine days of Getting To Know You, we said that there was no way we were driving back. Especially since our daughter was not quite one year old. And then one I woke up and said, "hey, you know what would be fun? Driving home." So we did. That trip took three weeks. With a one year old in the back of the trusty Cavalier (may she rest in pieces). Becky was cutting molars at the time, but we didn't realize it until we hit Ohio. It was a good trip. Seriously. Except for the whole one-year-old at the Grand Canyon thing. That wasn't a smart idea for someone who's terrified of heights.

So anyhoo, tomorrow is a road trip. Sam and I consider these things dates. While we have differing expectations, we've learned to deal with each other's style and enjoy ourselves. The first rule of a road trip is eating. You've gotta plan where you'll eat. Yes, plan it. Unfortunately there are no Fuddruckers where we're going. We're seriously bummed. Fudd's rocks.

I am getting a Starbucks for the road because everyone knows that you can't road trip without a cuppa 'Bucks to travel with. It will be awesome, especially since I've been avoiding them lately due to the sugar they load me up with, and the fact that they drain my wallet. But it's a date, and when else can you splurge?

We are renting a car for the great event. Laugh if you will, but for $37 it beats putting miles on our own vehicles. And besides, someone else is paying for it. We love renting cars. We own the van, which is an awesome ride (hush, we're parents) but it's not exactly road trip material. And then things deteriorate from there. We have a full size truck, but you don't' take trucks on road trips either. And then there is the car. I won't go into detail, but suffice it to say that the vomit-colored paint (complete with puke chunks) coupled with the smashed in door from the accident makes it one eye catching piece. Or is that eye bleeding? I keep forgetting.

So you see why we get excited about rental cars? They're new, they're fun, and they're clean inside. We are also juvenile enough to also say "zoom, zoom" every few miles just because we can.

I am fully admitting that we are incredibly lame and lifeless because a mere road trip will inspire giddiness and excitement. See what happens when you become parents? I think it's the thought of spending time alone without the kids that really is the deal breaker on this. How very, very sad.

Especially in light of the fact that we're taking Micah and a puppy along and we're STILL excited.

We. Are. So. Lame.

14 comments:

Karen Deborah said...

Sounds like fun to me! Ok I am weird or a dork too, my husband and I love road trips. We get uninterrupted time to TALK to each other if the cell phones are off. Cell phones are a pain in the nether regions. Are you taking a puppy to a new home already?

Stephanie said...

Sounds wonderful to me! We are strong believers in making up "dates" when ever possible. Put the kids to bed, pop some popcorn..it's date night!

Love your idea of renting a car. It will seem like an exotic trip. Have a great time.

Karen said...

Karen Deborah - Two of the three litters are old enough to go home, and this is the last of them. That will leave us with 4 remaining puppies that have homes and are just waiting to be old enough to leave. I am already missing them.

Kimberly Wright said...

Love the story! We had one of those Get To Know You trips. Of course, sixteen years I am still learning stuff about him, that maybe I shouldn't. LOL

HalfAsstic.com said...

That is NOT lame! Cause that would make ME lame too and I REFUSE!
Our car is in the shop right now and has been for about two weeks. It's a 2002 Trailblazer. So we've been zipping around in this nifty little '09 Chrysler that hauls butt and is really fun and, YES, we may have said "ZOOM, ZOOM!" a couple of times!
I would kill to be able to go on a road trip right now... or anytime!
Have fun!!! ;-)

JennyH said...

Have fun! drive safe and enjoy that starbucks.

Flea said...

*squeal* Road trip! What fun! Except the kids and I like to take them without the Hunny occasionally. :)

Michelle said...

Have a fun road trip!!

Andrea said...

Oh gosh, your honeymoon had me cracking up!! Oh dear!! What a fun trip!! LOL!! And you are not lame, at least you go somewhere, I haven't been anywhere if forever!! We never go on vacations and we don't ever do anything fun. Unless it happens in the back yard with horses. We do drive to walmart, does that count for a road trip?

I hope you guys have fun!! I would be excited to. Maybe the puppy will keep Micah entertained in the back seat!! :)

KG said...

I'll have you know that I actually DID go on my honeymoon in Alaska. I didn't drive there, though. *snort* I love LOVE love Alaska. All those miles in a Cav? Probably not so much.

Hope you guys are having a good time!

caramama said...

I hope you have a great trip and enjoy yourselves! Road trips really can be fun... in addition to miserable. Here's hoping for the fun to outweigh the miserable!

Gina said...

I love road trips! And I get the rental thing. Lengthening the life of my car is important, but honestly? I really just like the "clean" part - my car is always trashed.

Anonymous said...

Some of my fondest memories growing up were the road trips we took as a family (often driving from Colorado to New York.) I have serious hope that Cooper outgrows carsickness because I can't wait to roadtrip with the kids! I hope you all have a wonderful time!

Michelle said...

Huh.

And then there's me. I refuse to road trip. I have been on a few too many miserable ones and ... I'm done. But hey -- you can take those trips for me. I think it sounds like a good deal for us both!