Wanderlust and a Pack of Bit-O-Honey
Driving down the highway in my convertible, the warm wind whipping through my hair, I pop in a CD and glance in the rearview mirror as I head out of town with a full tank of gas, a cooler full of beer, a pack of Bit-O-Honey from the gas station (the hubby would choose Lemonheads), and no agenda. That’s my idea of a roadtrip. You know…images of Thelma and Louise and a young virtual unknown hottie named Brad Pitt. Roadside honky tonks. Being chased down by the police. OK…maybe nothing quite that exciting. The baby and I had our fun little overnight roadtrip Friday to get together with my college buddies. It wasn’t the beach, but it was a lakeview cottage. It was also about 40 degrees out and I had the heat cranked and we were listening to what few good songs I could find on the radio. But still there’s something refreshing about getting in the car and heading out of town. It’s spring break for most students and I’ll admit I have that itch. I found myself looking at vacation rental houses in coastal North Carolina today. The hubby is in the same mood. Maybe it’s the cold weather; maybe it’s my internal clock that says it’s about damn time for spring to kick in.
It hit home that I am rusty on road tripping, because about 10 minutes into the drive I realized I forgot to pack any CDs. I had the usual kid collection, but lullabies or Old McDonald are not my idea of good driving music. I’d either fall asleep at the wheel or go insane after hearing E-I-E-I-O for the 50th time. I was forced to surf the radio waves and at one point was listening to Elvis’s “Kentucky Rain” (seemed appropriate as I was driving through Kentucky) and The Grateful Dead “Truckin’,” which also seemed appropriate.
And I’m always amazed at how much STUFF you pack for an overnight trip with kids, even just one. I had all my gear and of course since I only took the pair of jeans I was wearing I spilled pizza sauce on them at dinner (not that my friends care). I also packed Amelia’s food and a couple of small toys and a change of clothes and her PJs and about 8 million diapers and wipes. Then there was the portable booster seat and the play pen which served as her bed for the night.
The hubby and I had a dinner date a few weeks ago in the trendy college part of town where I had my first post-college apartment. He grabbed my hand from across the table and asked me if I ever missed being single and the freedom that goes along with it. I wouldn’t trade being a mom and wife for anything, but I’ll admit sometimes I miss that freedom…the idea that I can just jump in the car and roadtrip for spring break. What about you?
