Goodbye Little House, Hello Adventure!

We are leaving today. You can't hardly tell except for the pile of packed bags taking up a spot on the floor.

Normy is busy playing happily, unaware, despite my best attempts at a description of upcoming events. Everyone else is sleeping. It's six o'clock, so good for them. There isn't much left to do today: tidy the house, exhaust the kids (so they will nap on the road); and load up. We don't necessarily plan on making the whole trip in one day... but we might.

Yesterday Smoochy spent some time cleaning out the old family car and getting it road worthy.

Of course, his efforts yielded the obligatory pile of random items left in the car. Including one moldy sippy cup.

While he was busy cleaning the car, I was busy getting the travel goodies around for the kids. Of course, we had to pack some activities to occupy their chubby little hands and minds for the long car ride... but the effort I put into it made me reflect quite a bit on why I put so much time into their travel presents when, for example, the kids didn't enjoy hunting for eggs or Easter baskets this year.

I think it has to do with the nostalgia surrounding the car trips my family would make from Florida to my Grandparent's farm in New York every single summer of my childhood. Going to Ripley was more exciting to us kids than Christmas. And really, there were just as many traditions surrounding it.

I remember so vividly packing up the car-top carrier the night before our trip. My dad was always such a good sport about allowing us to bring any and all the toys we wanted... within reason. That night Kate, Zach,and, I would be way too excited to sleep. I remember staying up late with them in the bedroom we shared creating songs along the line of, "We're going to Ripley Going to Ripley!" We wouldn't have long to wait, because our parents set their alarm for 3 am, because they liked to get a very early start. There would only be our station wagon and all the 18-wheelers on I-75 heading North out of Florida. By daylight we would be in Jacksonville and by that night we would be in the Carolinas passing all the billboards for South of the Border. It was about that time we'd pull over at Black Cat and load up on fireworks that my Dad would light up over the Fourth of July at the big reunion on his side of the family.

The trip took two days. We would stop for breakfast at McDonald's... which was a huge treat. It was probably the only time we ever ate there. I always had either hashbrowns or pancakes. Somehow, we always managed to stop at the same McDonald's. I remember the golf theme of the one in particular. But, it was after breakfast that us kids were waiting for. PRESENTS! There was always some clearly defined point after breakfast on the first day, that if we had been good up until then, we would get a present. I'm sure it was always something small, and something that would occupy us for the hours on the road. But, it was always such a big deal. SO EXCITING!!! My favorite ever was a Golden Girls magnetic activity book. (OK, think The Guardians of Gemstone not Bea Author.) I remember being utterly engrossed with making up stories for the little magnetic figures to play out on the different scene filled pages.

I guess, that's what got me shopping and wrapping this week. I've been thinking about my own little family, and what traditions of summer travel we'll make. This is going to be our first big family adventure as a foursome. And sure house-hunting isn't really a summer vacation... but in the back of my mind, it really does feel like it! Plus, guess where the four of us are going for the Fourth of July? You got it, we will be in Ripley, NY... the tradition continues!

(And yes, Blanket is coming.)

What summer travel traditions does you family have?