In three weeks my wonderfully adventurous friend Lizzie and I will set off for a 2000 mile road trip, there and back, to sunny Southern California.
I can almost feel the California sunshine,
taste an afternoon–I mean five-o-clock–cocktail and…
hear the howl of the Santa Ana winds.
Oh, wait. I thought that sound was all too familiar–that’s not a coastal wind–that’s the howling sound of our collective five children from the back seat of the S.U.V…
Because you guessed it. They are coming too.
This little adventure is going to be like Thelma and Louise with children. Well, sans the whole driving off the cliff thing (let’s hope) and the tryst with a rugged, very fit, Brad Pitt aka J.D.–Oh dear, did the pang of disappointment come through? No? Nevermind.
Anyway, the Lockard ladies are going to be brushing up on our trip manners so that I don’t have to ask my dear friend Lizzie sign a pre-tripial agreement. You know, the agreement where she promises to be my friend after the trip despite emotional outbursts from the Lockard ladies–I mean Elle and Maggie–excessive talking about Barbie Diamond Castle or in the unfortunate case that we encounter the perfect storm: me in the morning, miles of empty highway, and no a Starbucks in sight.
Travel sometimes brings out the best and the worst in us, and figuring out those trip manners is very important–yes that means packing Starbuck’s VIA. Every year, March’s ManneroftheMonth.com (available 3/15) covers travel etiquettes and the simple ways to make the most of getaways. Perfect time for our family, and I’m pretty sure, Lizzie and her entourage will be most thankful! So will you help me with this manner and take a quick moment to fill out the following…
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Get thee to Burger Lounge while you’re down here. There’s one in La Jolla and if you go to that one you can follow up with delightful cupcake lounge Cups down the street. Yum and double yum.
Happy Travels!
Thanks, Laura! We are a crew that loves both Burgers and cupcakes.
I think you two should take me along. I can be the “keeper of the rules” while you watch my two terrorists…I mean toddlers.
I think it’s Lizzie who will need to sign the “pre-tripial” agreement… Let’s face it, Mind– the Lockard girls are far better in the behavior category than my three sons!!!! California here we come… woo hoo!
Debbie, http://www.TheHipHostess.com I was so excited about your comment that rather than responding I deleted. I’m so sorry… here it is again!
From Debbie at The Hip Hostess
Reading with interest & envy until I got to the part of the kids coming. Then I was literally LOL! I could bore you with tales of driving in MI state capital streets for yet another dance competition with cars honking at us as we left a trail of costumes & props in a blinding snowstorm because the back door to my Suburban was somehow left open. Or when we were waiting with 3 tired and cranky little girls for hotel valet to bring the car around,only to watch 4 Japanese businessmen get into my beloved Suburban thinking it was the shuttle to the airport! The road trip to Norfolk, don’t even get me started. I hope you enjoy every minute because despite the immediate stress & chaos, you will be making memories that you and the girls will share for a lifetime. That is precious.
Debbie, your comment made me smile. My mother took us on a road trip nearly every Spring Break to visit my grandmother. We have the best memories from those days on the road. I can’t wait to give Elle and Maggie the same gift! Oh, and we will have to remember to close the suburban doors, thanks for the reminder!