"So, tell them where you are going!"
The tone in Debbie's voice let me know she was serious. She had just typed my column for last week, then she issued the challenge for this one.
So here it is.
I have enjoyed planning a road trip each of the last three years. For that to happen, the "moon must be in the seventh house and Jupiter must align with Mars" as a member of the '60s generation would say.
"Road trip" may have once had adventurous and mystical connotations, but in our case it's just an excuse to get together.
What started out as just a trip to see friends in New York and family in Washington, D.C., and Illinois has grown into a fullblown "living the dream" adventure - or should I say "driving the dream"?
You see, thankfully I married well. My wife, her brother and her sister drove on long-distance family trips many times as children. They were game for traveling and had much experience to lend to the travel plans … kind of an unexpected dowry.
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So with my son deciding to join Deb's brother and me on what I've dubbed RoadTrip5, it became evident that we would have a heavily guy-oriented trip.
"How does Route 66 sound, Dad?"
My son was full of suggestions. Brother-in-law Greg agreed to act as guide in Chicago and from there to St. Louis, close to the family's hometown in Illinois.
I added in minor league games in Springdale, Ark.; Tulsa, Okla.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Victorville, Calif.
My son and I will be taking a journey from St. Louis to Santa Monica, Calif., on Route 66, with short detours for games on the way. Philip was delighted to find the Dodgers have a homestand when we'll be in California.
Chortling, he called and asked me, "Guess who they're playing?" From the sound of his voice, I knew immediately it would be my favorite childhood team. Phil answered his own question before I could: "The METS, of course!"
"Sounds like it's meant to be," I replied.
Hope you're enjoying the summer and time with your family. If you get a chance, why not try a short road trip of your own? The bonding and lessons can be life-changing.
To be continued …
Enjoy the journey,
Bob
E-mail Bob Oro at northwest@azstarnet.com
