Doncha just love road trips? I am currently cruising down 95 South with my partner in crime, Peggy, in her new car with the windows down at sunset. It’s actually just before sunset, the last bright sideways sunlight of the day before it slips behind the trees. We’ve just crossed over the Ocoquan River and are headed for warmer climes. Peggy found a new radio station, 100.3that is playing great road trip music. Right now the Stones are singing “Jumping Jack Flash.” Just before we were belting it out with “The Who” in “Teenage Wasteland.” We’ve heard Jimmy Buffet, Joe Cocker, and the Guess Who. We’ve got a bag of munchies and we are sailing passed the bumper to bumper HOV lanes which have apparently overshot their purpose.

I’ve had some great road trips in my life and some that turned out pretty crappy. Heading to the beach with my kids last summer, we were stuck in deep traffic for the last several miles. They were collecting peace signs from their fellow trapped motorists. They were delighted and it made the traffic jam seem fun – especially since my kids started liking some decent music that we all enjoy singing loud. The ride home from the beach, sunburned and sandy and tired is never as much fun – except for the mandatory produce stand stop.

One of my best road trips ever was last summer with my friend in Boise. In one day, we drove from Boise to Yachats, Oregon (prounced “Yah-hots, Organ.) What a spectacular trip that was! First of all it was with my best friend from high school, Jo, who I hadn’t seen in a long time and it was great to catch up with her. The scenery was varied and magnificent. Once there, we got chased by a bear and evacuated for a tsunami warning among other fun adventures. We met up with some other friends and debated the pronunciation of “aspartame” after sunset on the Pacific coast beach.
Great trip.

Tell me one of your good road trip stories. We’ll save crappy road trip stories for another day.