The Dayton Diaries: Prologue

Last week at this time, I prepared for my weekend away with youngest daughter, Jane.  Um. Perhaps I shouldn't say "prepared" or "planned" because I didn't (as you'll soon see). I should say I "imagined."

Here's what I imagined:

*   Leave early from work (all packed and ready to go)

*   Arrive in Morgantown at exactly the time my daughter (all packed and ready to go) exited her last class of the week

*   Decide together whether to have our leisurely and lovely dinner then or on the road

*   Drive to Dayton, guided by my brand new and totally understood Global Positioning System, which my brothers and father urged (okay, begged) me to buy

*   Enjoy the new CDs selected specially for the trip (this included sing-along sessions with Jane) as well as stimulating conversation (of both the gossip and intellectual varieties)

Here's what happened:

*  Left work three hours later than I'd imagined I would without having packed, selected any CDs, or purchased the GPS.

*  Called my father to say I was on the road, despite the awful weather reports. He reported that the GPS could be picked up at Sears for $20.00 less than he'd paid for his system.

*  Stopped at Sears in Hagerstown, MD and picked up GPS.

*  Prayed that I didn't have to charge or program the GPS prior to using because I'd forgotten to print off directions to Dayton and had no idea where I was going after Morgantown.

*  Found that GPS had cord that fit the 12V outlet in my new car.

*  Introduced myself to "Tripsy" my new best road trip friend.

* Arrived in Morgantown, exhausted and flustered 3.5 hours late to pick up Jane who had been smart enough to eat dinner.

* Drove straight to Dayton, while dishing dirt and enjoying stimulating, intellectual discussion as well as singing and harmonizing to the CDs I'd managed to bring and whatever radio stations we could find.

* Endured many rolled eyes and lots of laughter related to my singing.

* Got sick of Tripsy saying "As soon as possible, make a LEGAL u-turn." (At one point, Jane said, "Mom, you don't follow directions very well, do you?" )

* Argued with Jane about what the hell Tripsy meant when she said, "Approaching exit to I70 on the right." Jane said it meant turn.  I said, "She's just letting me know it's there." I was wrong. 

* Heard Tripsy say, "As soon as possible, make a LEGAL u-turn." for the 10,314th time.

* Arrived (completely due to Tripsy's unfailing guidance) at our hotel by 3:00 a.m., totally exhausted.

* Agreed we'd sleep in, have a nice brunch and then hit the stadium.

* Turned out lights and slept like babies.

To be continued....

Dayton WGI Road Trip Mother Children 50 Plus Women Empty Nest Family Life Boomers

Comments

[Monkling]

Wait until Tripsy has a hissy fit because you're not doing what she says and she stops talking to you. Or maybe she's not as passive aggressive as my GPS.

[David Feldman]

Ahem, what about that "continued" stuff?