In 2020, before Covid hit, we decided our kids’ Christmas gifts were going to be a trip to Florida. This was a big deal for them, as it should be. A) I don’t know about your state, but money in Minnesota doesn’t grow on trees, and 2) our yearly family trip prior to that was a long weekend away to Wisconsin Dells which is only 2.5 hours and one state away from home. This was going to be a road trip through many states and a week at the beach.
We love to see the positive when planning a trip, don’t we? Why in the heck do we block out the negative possibilities? We know that at least a small percentage of the undelightful crap we conjure up WILL happen.
For example, My husband and I, when deciding to rent a van instead of flying, only thought of how great it was going to be to spend such uninterrupted quality time on the long trip! Gah. We didn’t let ourselves see further than that. Idiots! What we really had was uninterrupted quality time for the first hour. From then on we experienced “normal” life. Kids arguing about individual space, being bored and hungry, dead electronics, and worst of all, asking 8.5 million times, “Are we there yet?” in some form or another. And no one thought to pack duct tape. What we were thinking? Oh yeah, of the pure bliss. We forgot about the other side of the coin.
Rookie mistake.
We ended up having a great time. (Yes, there were some hiccups but that’s life, right?) The white sand beaches, the trolley that bumped down the roads to little souvenir shops and eateries, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets from the beach, and being able to look out across that big, expansive ocean and wonder about the life below.
Three years later we have decided to try another long-distance family trip. We took a hiatus from big expensive vacations because A) see A above, and 2) traveling long-distance during Covid was enough “excitement” to last us three years.
Destination; Orlando area. Close to all the touristy commotion and maybe an hours ride to the beach. It’s a compromise for all. The teens love the beach; the younger two love the commotion. Mom and Dad are clearly the chauffeurs.
Flights are expensive for a family of six, and it would be regarded with disgust if I flew and let my husband drive solo with the rugrats. Also, I’m pretty sure they don’t allow 7-year-olds to lap sit during the flight, but please confirm, if you will. That could be a game-changer. I’m sure my husband wouldn’t mind her on his lap for 3+ hours. So, like last time, we aren’t flying.
This year folks, we are going with…drum roll please…a transit van. One step up, maybe two, from a creeper van. This has plenty of windows and seats ten passengers! Check her out! The picture is from kbb.com and my expectation is renting one very similar (fingers crossed we don’t get a doozy!)
With that much space, I don’t want to hear a peep from any child of mine about their siblings being in their personal bubble. I’m going to assign seats; one in each corner of the van with all our luggage in between them. If I’m really good with my stacking, it’ll topple over on the one trying to break through to enter another’s domain. Take that you winged spawn of sa-tan! (“Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” for you non-movie buffs from the 90s.) No, my kids really are not the spawn of satan, but sometimes, even I wonder.
So come October, we will be off to drive highways and byways, reliving memories from three years ago and making new ones.
Wish us luck, and clip and send any coupons for duct tape. This time we must be prepared.
Hoss & Weasel 