There was a time when every weekend was a mini-vacation. Not so, these days. There are no more spontaneous road trips, no more vacations on a whim any longer. With two young children underfoot, trips have to be carefully planned nowadays. We can’t step outside the house without snacks, DVDs, CDs, videogames, diapers … not to mention stuff for the kids!
Tomorrow morning the four of us hit the road for southeastern Oklahoma. Once again we’ll be roughing it in a plush air-conditioned cabin (the only way to camp, in my opinion). Right outside the cabin’s back door is a natural spring for relaxing in … and by “natural spring”, I mean Jacuzzi. After hanging out around the cabin Thursday we’ll be heading to visit my Uncle Kenny at his place Friday. With horses, four-wheelers and more acres than my entire neighborhood, the kids will have a fun time playing and exploring. I, on the other hand, will be constantly checking the ground for scorpions and my hair for ticks. Thank God I’m a city boy.
Saturday, Susan and the kids along with the in-laws will be heading once again to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. I am still desperately trying to talk my way out of digging in the dirt for hours on end and staying back at the cabin by myself. We’ll see if I should be so lucky. That block of time would be a great chance for me to crank out a few more chapters on my new book. Or, drink beer and sit in the Jacuzzi. Either way. Sunday, we’ll head back home.
Just a few years ago, packing for such an adventure would have involved throwing clothes in a bag and grabbing CDs on the way out the door. No longer. Tonight, operation Road Trip Packing has begun. Laundry churns, lists are made, rooms are scoured for trip essentials with military-like accuracy. One armed doll? Check. Favorite blankies? Check. Plastic kazoos? Uh, better leave those behind. It’s a long drive. House sitters are coordinated, alarms are explained and rules are given. Preparing for fun is hard work.
I need a vacation.