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 When
we were kids, trips around the area and across the country
by car were a part of almost every vacation. In fact, in
1971 we essentially lived the story of National
Lampoon's Vacation...except it was all fun (at least
in my memory,) and our grandparents survived. Chrysler
Town & Country station wagon. Four adults, two kids.
42 states in six weeks, coast-to-coast and back.
The
AAA
planned our adventures and the road trips would usually
include detours to local "wonders" and stops at
Stuckey's for peanut brittle and souvenirs
("Relax, Refresh, Refuel").
Where
we stayed was of little consequence to us kids -- as long
as there was a swimming pool. So when Pop got tired of
driving (or listening to us) we'd look for the big bear in
a nightcap and visit Best Western, Travelodge or maybe a
Holiday Inn. But the best of all was Howard
Johnson's...fried clams or hot dogs and beans with Boston
black bread. And of course, a pool.
We
decided when our daughter was very young that those road
trips were an important part of our lives and that she
should have the experience too. It's not particularly hip
these days, but traveling by car lets you see the
country, spend lots of time together and have something
not-so-tangible to carry throughout life.
Our
road trips are a little different these days. The
Stuckey's are almost all gone, gas is a little more than
40 cents a gallon and the thought of bunking in a Howard
Johnson's...well you know. But we hit the road each year
nonetheless -- the three of us -- and we're building new
memories. Niagara Falls, the Amish country, Maine, Old
Williamsburg. Whatever strikes our fancy, but we still always
make time for the local wonders.
We
still rely on AAA, but with a bit more technology these
days. We plan our trips using computer software (DeLorme AAA
Map'n'Go) which has never given us a wrong turn.
Unfortunately,
most of our trips were taken before we owned a digital
camera...so not too many of those photos can be seen here.
But we'll keep adding more as we hit the road each year.
For now, we've included even our day trips. And shortly,
the collection will include some scanned photos from the
days when gas was much less than a buck.
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