Nothing Like A Family Road Trip
By Jamie Lee Hamann
Nothing like a family road trip.
My children start out with a back flip
to focus energy
a parents final plea
before our patience begins to slip.
So when Dad begins loading our gear
the children run in circles and cheer
let’s get out of town
and replace our frown
with a chance for our minds to be clear.
The first hour in car we just rest
as we slowly move away from nest
driving off to see world
Road Atlas is unfurled
as we drive to the horizon’s crest.
In new towns we make stops as we go
sometimes catching a museum show
to see how they live
with a dollar to give
but mostly Dad needs his cup of Joe.
First half of journey is a dream
as we work together as a team
passing around car snacks
hidden in our backpacks
running at rest stops to work of steam.
Then the ride takes a turn for the worse
when the driver has begun to curse,
out comes every complaint,
not one child is a saint,
praying for the quiet of a hearse.
The oldest has decided to play
how long can loud annoying sounds stay
the middle is poking
our youngest whose crying
when sun comes through most of the day.
We are happy to be back home
we will wait till next summer to roam
it seems one trip a year
will have to do I fear
a family vacation syndrome.