A Family Adventure

Yesterday, my family and I embarked on our first long trip in almost a year. As usual, we didn't leave at the time that my wife and I was shooting for. Instead we were an hour behind our planned schedule. Come to think of it, I don't think we have ever left at our "scheduled" time. Does any family trip ever leave at the scheduled time?

With a two and a half-hour drive time, the kids did pretty well for not having been on a trip on a while. Thankfully we remembered to administer the motion sickness meds to the appropriate children. In the past, we have forgotten this important step and, well, the results did not fit into our timeline. A large van stopping quickly on the side of the road does draw unwanted attention.

We arrived at our destination in one piece and took care of a few errands before I dropped the wife and kids at a park in town. Incidentally, the same town we lived in almost a year ago. Then it was off to the auto shop to drop off the family van to get fixed. After a fifteen-minute walk back to the park, I joined my family. The kids were happy to be back at their favorite park while we lived there.

Despite the fact that it was cooler at our current location than where we live, it was still in the 90s. The kids got hot and tired so we had to seek shelter on some picnic benches under a ramada.

The repairs on our van would not be completed until the end of the day and at this time it was only ten AM. After a rest and dehydration period, we gathered the kids and using the method of transportation that we were born with, we started off down the road to the civilized part of town, just over a mile away.

The kids were real troopers. Stopping several times to rest, we finally made it. It took us about an hour, but we made it.

By now, tummies were grumbling, mine included. A decision had to be made on where to get some sustenance. After some discussion, we decided to go to the closer of our choices, Chilie's. It turned out to be the best choice also. We had good food, good service and a good time.

We were all finished and ready to leave just in time to catch the one o'clock showing of the computer animated movie, Epic. As a bonus, we were able to see it in 3D. Since we moved away, the town's only theater had acquired the ability to show movies in 3D. The movie was better than I expected. I was really impressed with the 3D effects. They were the best I have ever seen.

We still had almost two hours before the van was finished and it had gotten pretty warm out. Putting an ice cream joint next to the movie theater was a genius decision. I am sure countless people have left the theater and walked next door for an icy cold treat. We were no exception. Taking up more time, the kids devoured their cones while maintaining their good behavior.

Another coating of sunscreen and we were off to the repair shop.

The afternoon was rather warm so we had to make several shade breaks. One was at the local Humane Society thrift store. We didn't intend on buying anything, but welcomed the air conditioning.

Kids being kids, of course they each found something they wanted. Since it was a thrift store, the items they had become attached to were rather inexpensive. The next stop was senior center thrift store next door. And then the kids started to run out of good behavior.

Across the street to see if our van was finished it was.

We only had to wait about twenty minutes and we were ready to go. The family van was all fixed up. After paying the man, we loaded up the kids and headed for the nearest Circle K for drinks. It was a two and a half hour drive home and the kids were getting restless.

Our voyage home thankfully was uneventful. A potty break and a couple of energy drinks for my wife and me and we were off again.

We finally made it home in time for a quick dinner, showers and then bed. I didn't take the kids long to fade off to sleep, which was a good thing for I was dead tired also.

Not bad for our first trip out of town in a year. Next up is California. Now were did I put that portable DVD player?