With gas prices topping out between OMG and WTF, it would never occur to me to jump in my blazer with no particular place to go and no definite destination in mind. I usually plan it so I hit everywhere I need to go while I am out so I can return home and stay there. I don't usually make unnecessary trips. With money normally scarce, I am pretty content to stick close to home. That wasn't always the case. Once I got my driver's license I couldn't wait to get behind the wheel and didn't need a particular destination to give me a reason to go.
My grandparents were from a bygone era. They used to love to get in their van and take a leisurely Sunday drive. As long as there was gas in the tank, they hit the open road with no particular place to go. One time they stopped at our house on their way and asked me if I wanted to go along for the ride. I eyeballed my mother willing her to say no, and she was nodding her head in agreement and pushing me forward. Oh Lord, that meant that she thought I should go. In the end, I figured what the hell. It could be fun. I took my place inside their van on that warm, sunny day and prayed for ventilation. Grandpa set the radio dial on some golden oldies station and away we went heading north into Michigan.
I honestly believe that my Grandpa loved the sound of his own voice. He made small talk the whole way while my Grandma and I sat in utter silence watching the world pass us by. Every time Grandma tried to get a word in edgewise, Grandpa would literally yell "Huh??? Did you say something??" She would repeat whatever it was she had to say and eventually Grandpa would declare she shouldn't mumble because he couldn't understand a damn word she said. If she wanted to speak, she had best speak up!! Grandma would clamp her lips tightly, roll her eyes in my direction, and continue to gaze out her window. Grandpa had something to say about everything. "There's someone mowing their lawn, look at those willow trees, and see how that barn is painted green? What a dumb a$$! Don't they know barns should be painted red??" He literally had something to say about everything. I was beginning to wish he would shut the hell up when my Grandma literally screamed she had to pee.
Grandpa proclaimed that the only place fit to pee when you were on a road trip was at McDonald's because they had clean bathrooms with big spacious stalls. Not only that, Grandma loved the paper liners they provided for the toilet seats. Finally the golden arches rolled into view, and mercifully the van rolled to a stop. It was up to me to help Grandma into the bathroom. I was rewarded with a Happy Meal. Not exactly cool when you are a teenager, but easier to take it and say thank you than communicate what I really wanted.
Before long we were back on the road listening to Grandpa's monologue about all the sights. Eventually we pulled up at one of the many outdoor fruit stands and my Grandparents selected several choice specimens to purchase. The coolest part of the whole trip was when we finally reached Lake Michigan and Grandpa stopped so we could take in the picturesque scenery of a small beach town. There was a harbor where several large boats were docked and a cool lighthouse. Grandma and I posed for pictures as Grandpa happily snapped away. We headed back home without a care in the world.
Once I got my driver's license, I used every opportunity to hit the road myself. Gasoline was a lot cheaper in those days and I loved to go places whether it was to the local shopping mall or a drive to Lake Michigan for a day at the beach. I don't remember ever getting behind the wheel where I didn't have a destination in mind. The radio blared my favorite tunes as I bopped along to the beat. I was always singing along having the time of my life until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker's wife.
