Today – my daughter, her partner and wee darling Evie headed out on their very FIRST road trip as their new family unit to PEI.
Naturally – as the Helicopter Parent that I am – it’s ok – I’ve gone from being a Black Hawk to a much more family friendly model – that I checked in frequently in their travels to see how 1. They were faring and 2. How baby was handling the road trip.
Having had a test run with Baby to a family reunion in Southern Ontario last weekend – sitting in a car seat and not knowing why for such a long period can be trying for her young mind.
Safe and sound at their first hotel stop in Grand Falls NB – Baby “settled” for the night and Mum and Dad having eaten most likely “road food” for dinner – I remembered a significant road trip in our lives.
Back in 2002 – our first year as a “new family” – Hubs joining our unit after my separation – we embarked on a 10 day road trip up through Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.
The kids were young – my daughter 11 or so and my son just 6.
In our land yacht of a car – a Caprice – we set off on our grand journey.
The trip was awesome – we of course did not have the luxury of cell phone or interweb to pre-book hotels and had to find the CHEAPEST possible as cash was tight.
I will have to say our favourite stop was by far Portland Maine – the shipyard and Popham Beach and we actually stayed in the hotel for 3 nights. Can’t remember the name.
Funny thing is that that damn room phone kept ringing and we made up all these freaky scenarios as to why.
Messaging with my daughter – moments ago – I recalled that memory to her and her response was – and I quote…
Oh.My. God.
I was just literally thinking of that!!!
How WEIRD is that?!?!. I literally unplugged the phone about 30 mins ago because I was thinking if someone called and woke up the baby I’d be PISSED! Then I though of that exact time.
It is so incredibly amazing how those most excellent memories from so many years ago can just hit you like a freight train.
I know they will have an awesome trip and that years from now – when maybe Baby takes her first trip – that Mum will remind her to unplug that damn hotel phone – if they even have them then!!!
Safe travels darlings.
Orange Acres 