by Lila Thompson
Originally Published: August 15, 2015
My fiancé and I had crammed two households, a little one, two dogs, and our trusty old pickup truck into one massive U-Haul, setting off for a new adventure in a place we barely knew. We were trading North Carolina for Arkansas, leaving behind the chaos of ex-spouses and past dramas. With summer vacation on the horizon, I was eagerly awaiting my parents’ visit.
As we cruised along I-40, I took meticulous notes for my parents, jotting down construction zones and advising them to take the bypass instead of driving through town. Upon reaching Hot Springs, I documented every single turn, the distances between roads, and even included a crucial note at the end of our street: “Stop. Seriously, just stop.”
I sent them a detailed letter outlining all the essential information, underlining key points and recommending great pit stops for food along the route. I even included a map, because let’s be honest, who would want to buy one in North Carolina? I couldn’t just call and share all this vital info either—those long-distance charges were no joke back then!
This was the era before GPS, smartphones, and social media. The Internet was a rare luxury, and phone booths were as common as gas stations. When traveling, you relied on good old-fashioned maps and the hope of not getting too lost along the way, without any instant updates on your estimated time of arrival.
My parents were seasoned travelers, having roamed the United States long before I came along. They had the spirit of wanderers, and I fondly remember riding in a camper as a kid, peering through a makeshift window as we traversed from coast to coast, searching for our next home. We spent nights in grocery store parking lots and roadside rest areas, making memories with picnics and bathroom breaks. We saw the majestic Grand Canyon, listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and marveled at fields of wildflowers. Every state line brought a photo op beside a “Welcome to” sign. It was an adventure I still cherish.
So when my parents received my elaborate travel guide, they didn’t call to chuckle at my meticulousness. Instead, they simply replied with a note: “Thanks, we’ll see you in two weeks.” When they finally rolled into my driveway, I couldn’t help but feel proud of my navigation skills.
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In summary, this journey of moving from one state to another not only marked a new chapter in our lives but also highlighted the importance of preparation and the joy of adventure. My over-preparedness might have seemed excessive, but it was a reflection of my love and excitement for their visit.