My partner and I were embarking on a major life transition, cramming two households, a child, two dogs, and an aging truck into one massive U-Haul as we set our sights on the unknown. Our destination? From the familiar landscapes of North Carolina to the charming corners of Arkansas, leaving behind the chaos of past relationships and drama. It was late April, and I couldn’t help but feel excitement at the thought of my parents visiting us come summer.
As we cruised down I-40, I took meticulous notes, marking spots on the map where construction was ongoing and advising them to take the bypass instead of navigating through town. Upon reaching Hot Springs, I jotted down every turn, the mileage between roads, and what to do at the end of our street (which was simply to stop). I even mailed them my notes, ensuring to underline critical information and highlight great eateries along the journey. I included a hand-drawn map—because who would think to buy one in North Carolina?—complete with arrows pointing to all the landmarks I mentioned. This was back in the day when long-distance calls were a budget concern, so I had to get creative.
Before smartphones and GPS units, travel meant relying on paper maps and memory, often getting lost at least once, and relying on good fortune to reach your destination. There were no countdowns to arrival times or alerts for upcoming turns; it was just the open road and whatever adventure lay ahead.
It’s worth mentioning that my parents were seasoned travelers, with a deep-seated wanderlust that had taken them across the United States multiple times, both before and after I came along. I had memories of being crammed into the back of a camper, peering through a makeshift hole into the front seat as we traversed the country, seeking out our next home. We camped in grocery store parking lots and rest areas, relishing the simplicity of life on the road with roadside bathroom breaks and watermelon picnics. We marveled at the Grand Canyon, enjoyed the sounds of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and took countless pictures at state line welcome signs. Those were truly some of the most unforgettable moments of my childhood.
So, when my parents received my carefully crafted travel guide, they didn’t chuckle or call to assure me that they were more than capable of making the journey. Instead, they simply sent back a note that read, “Thanks, we’ll see you in two weeks.” And as they pulled into my driveway, I couldn’t help but feel proud of my detailed directions.
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In summary, life is full of unexpected turns and adventures. Sometimes, it’s the careful planning and thought we put into our journeys that make the destination all the more rewarding.
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