ROADTRIP WITH FOUR BROTHERS

When I was growing up, our family took a two week vacation each summer. Sounds like fun, you say. It would have been, but we traveled for three days to get to our destination in Southern Florida. For six days of that two weeks, we sat in a car.

We always started out early in the morning the first day. The goal was to get as far as we could the first day before having to stop for the night. Our mode of travel was a huge station wagon with wood grain side paneling. The back seat faced backwards. With five kids, my parents had to have a vehicle large enough to transport us all for long distances. Vans were not a choice of transportation back in the sixties, so we rode in a family station wagon.

The top of the car boasted a large medal luggage carrier where the luggage was placed and covered with a canvas tarp. For two weeks of vacation, we easily filled several large suitcases.

The seats in the back of the car laid flat and the five of us were able to stretch out and sleep for part of the trip. Sleep helped to pass the time. When the seats were up, I rode in the rear seat and waved at the truck drivers as we passed them.

These driving days were extremely long. At the end of the day, we stopped at a motel and swam in the pool, after a dinner in a nearby restaurant. That was the best part of the day. The swim in the fresh air allowed us to make lots of noise and get some exercise. After swimming, sleep was welcome.

To pass the time, my Mom initiated several games. With Dad at the wheel, it was her job to keep us occupied. During those days, the freeways ran through farmland areas. We watched the fields planted with various vegetables sail by. There was very little to see along these fairly new roads. Dairy farms were scattered along our route from Rhode Island to Florida. Counting cows can be very exciting when there is nothing else to do. As you can imagine, it didn't take us long to grow tired of those four legged animals.

Another game we played involved reading the passing road signs. To play the game, we located  each letter of the alphabet on the road signs in chronological order. Beginning with the letter A, we made our way through the alphabet, shouting out the letters as we saw them. Find them all and you became the winner. Those were the days of Burma Shave signs. Burma Shave placed road signs along the side of the road which had cute quips advertising their product.  Rest stops included Stuckeys where we could wander in the gift shop.

Spending hours together in the car, our squabbles were frequent. My poor parents were very patient with us and I am sure we tested their endurance. My brothers kicked, pinched and irritated each other by the hour.  A mere look in the wrong direction at the wrong time could create an argument. I am amazed that we didn't do any permanent damage to each other during those rides.

With family located in various locations in the state of Florida, the last segment of our road trip was broken into segments. We would spend a day or two with relatives in each town and then move on, finally reaching our final destination with the grandparents. Visiting our grandparents seemed to make the entire trip worth it all. Days included trips to the beach and lots of shopping where we all added several items to our wardrobes. I loved the bright and cheerful colors we found in the Southern stores. Our car luggage rack would be especially full as we turned homeward.

Most of my travel memories are good ones. I still think of those trips when I see an old station wagon with wood side paneling.  Another highlight of those trips were the stops we made on our return trip. We visited several Eastern states over the years where we were able to see historic sites that I will long remember. Much of our U.S. history was learned through these fun historic treks.

I didn't have five children, so I have not replicated these memories in my own family. With just two children, we have had a mere taste of the sibling rivalry I experienced on our road trips. In summary, those road trips were priceless and I have memories to treasure forever.