the glory of the great american road trip

Summer is the perfect season for a road trip. In honor of the closing of the season, & in celebration of the bright & beautiful months that have passed, I'd like to review the joy that is the great American road trip. Many people (particularly Americans) have engaged in this age-old tradition. If you haven't before, I will attempt to describe briefly what you will need when (not if!) you come & try it yourselves.

The great American road trip consists of the following: 

• a vehicle (car, truck, RV, or motorcycle preferred--- a bike, if you're truly hardy); 
• people to drive & ride in/on the vehicle;
• a map or GPS (go with the map--- more adventurous);
• stuff in the back (usually a little luggage of some kind & a cooler full of snacks); 
• some way to pay for gas &/or food; 
• a source of music; 
• a lot of patience;
• a halfway decent sense of direction;
• an excellent sense of humor;
• an even better sense of adventure; 
• & a destination.

I have gone on many of these in my lifetime; the latest, to visit friends Melina & Fred in California this month--- a very happy destination! The list above should be comprehensive, but perhaps I have forgotten something. If I've forgotten something, this is typical of what happens on a road trip--- something is always forgotten, usually shampoo or toothpaste. Did I forget anything?

And on your road trip, where would you like to go?