Trip
My family rotates where we celebrate Thanksgiving. Sometimes it’s here in Chicago. Sometimes it’s in Maine at a house on a lake. And sometimes it’s on Cape Cod at a beach house in the middle of the woods (go figure).
When I heard we would be gathering on Cape Cod this year, I immediately planned to take the whole week off from work. In fact, I did so knowing Sweets likely would not be able to take the whole week off. I didn’t care. I wanted to maximize my time on the Cape.
Well that and I also wanted to bring SoMi.
Bringing SoMi means we have to drive. Driving out East takes 2 days. I knew I’d likely have to drive on my own with the dog. And Sweets would fly to meet us there a few days later. As it turns out, that’s exactly the case. I will leave on Saturday, arriving at my parents’ house on Sunday. Sweets will join us on Tuesday. He will drive back to Chicago with us the weekend after Thanksgiving.
I found myself laughing a few times over the past few days when people have expressed concern over me making the drive. Alone. A 35-year old woman. Driving alone.
I know I shouldn’t be so brash. But, c’mon. I’m 35. I think I can do this. On. My. Own. Along a route I’ve driven before. Many times before.
Apparently not everyone else does. (I know they care about me. I know I’m being a snot. Let me run with this one.) As a result, I have agreed to bring our bear spray on the trip. Just. In. Case. And I’m quite certain I’ll be texting and calling home multiple times throughout the 2-day drive.
I plan on being a minimalist on this trip. Here are the things I plan to bring:
- Clothes – casual and workout clothes and associated footwear and outerwear.
- Dog – the dog herself plus, her bed, food, leash, baggies. Maybe treats and a few toys.
- Chairs – my parents need extra chairs, so I’m lugging them 1,000 miles cross country.
- Food – a few sodas, water bottles, fruit and healthy snacks to make stopping less necessary; fixin’s for pumpkin squares as the family would likely disown me if I didn’t make them.
- Book – Impossible Motherhood, the next book for my book club.
- Protection – Debit card, credit card, drivers license, AAA card. Maybe a little cash, too.
- Miscellaneous – bear spray for physical protection, CDs/iPod for entertainment, camera to journal my trip, phone and camera battery chargers to ensure minimal connectivity.
There is a much longer list of things I will not be bringing on this trip, such as:
- Jenny Craig meals – they offer plenty of meals that do not need refrigeration, but you know what? I can do the whole portion control thing on my own. I don’t need their logo and boxes as a reminder.
- Computer – it’s official, the computer is staying behind. That means pretty much zero connectivity next week while I’m gone. (I’m more than a teensy bit excited.)
- Work – no computer means no work. I deserve this break and plan to maximize it to the fullest extent. That means, no contact with work.
- A knife or gun – Sweets said he’d feel more comfortable if I had them, but I said no. Plus, we don’t have a gun anyway.
- DVR and HD – my parents’ house at the beach? It has no reception. None. No cable. No dish. There is a TV plus DVD player. But, I will be unplugged from all TV next week. I’m not sorry to be missing the Macy’s parade.
- Sugar – oh my god am I ready to leave the sugar behind. My office has trails of Halloween. My house has trails of parties. My life has been one long sugar trip and I’m tiring of it. I cannot wait to leave it behind.
- Bathing suit – yes, we will be at the beach, but it will be far from warm enough to lay out and get a tan.
- Sweets – ok, so this one makes me a wee bit sad. We travel well together and always have fun. I know both SoMi and I will have to adjust to him not being in the car with us. Thankfully we’ll see him a few days later.
What am I missing???
November 17th, 2009 at 6:38 am
I think you got it all!
It’s super funny that people are worried about you making the drive. That totally cracks me up. After driving out here, I am confident in making a drive anywhere, and taking care of myself, alone (I guess I say this after living by myself in Europe for half a year too). Plus, you’ll have SoMi with you!
Do people put their dogs on airplanes? It’s probably a lot of stress on the animal, but do they do that? Just wondering!
November 17th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I, too, think its funny (sweet, but funny) that people are concerned about the drive. Seriously, a GUN? It’s the interstate, team! Well-lit! Frequent rest stops! Ample cell coverage! No firearms needed!
November 17th, 2009 at 7:23 am
Sounds like you have it all planned out. I’m sure you won’t need the knife or the gun. I hope you have a great time visiting the family, drive safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:41 am
I am a little nervous for you driving all that way alone. Having the dog makes it better and worse. I HATE rest areas and I always think they are such a vulnerable place for travelers. But a whole week unplugged sounds divine!
November 17th, 2009 at 8:07 am
HeLLO?????!!!! You forgot to add that you’ll need to bring along my number. So you can phone me. So we can get DRINKS!! Okay, really, probably just wine. But still. My number. That is a MUST. :)
November 17th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I think your trip sounds divine! And you and Somi traveling together? You’ll be just fine!
November 17th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Baby wipes and hand sanitizer…you never know when you will need them and they never go bad.
You can also get some books on CD at the library, if you are so inclined.
Other than that you are set to go. Safe travels!
November 17th, 2009 at 9:36 am
People are funny. When we go to family things, my husband usually drives. One year my husband had to fly out on Easter. There was no way I was going to miss the family stuff just because he wouldn’t be around and it was his family. We have been married so long that his family feels like my family! So, although we had been to the particular house millions of times and no one ever worried about my husband driving, I got about 50 calls when I got home to make sure I made it safely. I think it is funny, but sweet.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Man that sounds like you got everything! How much fun!
November 17th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I should have read this before your facebook status. Haha. I think its great that you’re driving with SoMi. You will have a great trip. Where do you stop for the halfway point? I am so excited for you, it will be a fantastic time unplugged and just being surrounded by the people you love.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Kind of like when I went camping alone. Why the angst, people? But I get that my safety is important to my loved ones.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:08 am
You’re missing me! =) I’ve never been to Cape Cod but have a feeling I would LOVE it.
I know you’re more than capable of making the trip alone, but maybe some pepper spray, just in case? Maybe that would make Sweets feel better?
I should have paid more attention to when you are leaving and then I could have sent you some more mixed CDs. Drat. I’m not sure I can squeeze it in before your trip (which sounds like a lot of fun)!
November 17th, 2009 at 10:15 am
People aren’t concerned because they think you aren’t mature enough to make the drive alone. People are concerned because they care about you a lot! I used to think and worry about my boyfriend at the time when he used to drive alone to northern california. For some reason, if he went with his sister or someone else in his family I would worry less. Not sure why. My mom still wants me to call her when I arrive from a flight somewhere. And I can’t even do anything about that! lol!
November 17th, 2009 at 10:20 am
You are way more patient than I. I hate driving trips, even when I have company. The idea of driving for two days alone doesn’t sound fun at all.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
This sounds like a fun trip! My road trip must have are part practical, part fun:
- Podcasts. I love having high quality on demand radio, and if you don’t have an ipod hook up you can burn them to MP3 CD or normal CD. If you don’t already listen to them Radiolab & This American Life are hands down my favorites.
- Blanket & pillow. As lame as it sounds, they’re great to have on hand. If something happens and your car breaks down over night, being able to stay warm is key (this IS the Canadian in me talking, yes lol) and if you just get sleepy it’s always best to pull right over and take a nap. If you can climb into the back seat & get at least a little comfy you won’t feel so hard done by, and will get a better quality of nap.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am
You forgot underwear.
;-)
I would LOVE to go somewhere without technology. Sweet bliss! You’re going to have such a fantastic time.
I am not sure why people would be so concerned with you traveling solo. This kind of boggles my mind. Not only are you old enough but you’re insanely mature and capable and a total uber planner. Have they MET YOU? Heh.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:43 am
I am so excited for you! I love the idea of you driving to Cape Cod by yourself (I’ve made many a long drive alone and they are cathartic). The disconnected weekend sounds absolutely lovely.
Have a blast!
xox
November 17th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Um, ME. I would be AWESOME company. :)
Drive safely (as I know you will), get enough rest before your trip, and I’m so proud of you for not taking the computer. You shouldn’t do any work whatsoever while on vacation. Hence the term “vacation” which means work can suck it while you chillax.
Oh and remember: STRANGER DANGER. tee-hee
November 17th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
ha. people in my life have pretty much stopped saying stuff like that to me, considering i’ve been mostly single my whole life, which means i’m usually doing things alone -- heck, i travel to europe by myself. i don’t think my parents LOVE it, but they’ve acclimated. and haven’t yet suggested i bring a gun, hah!
November 17th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The thing about having a gun or a knife for self-protection? It would always scare me that if I did have one, and then I got attacked, the attacker would find it or grab it and use it against me. I prefer not to be in the presence of dangerous weapons if I don’t have to be.
November 17th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
a 2nd book just in case you make it through the 1st!
November 17th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Never occured to me while I was reading this that you driving alone would be an issue. When I was 30 I drove 10 hours to take two kids to New Orleans to a baseball tournament, and took those same kids camping, by myself. (Mr. P was in architecture school, and it was me do it, or noone does it). So you go~~~
I am looking forward to no work, but no computering? I am not that hardcore…my crops would surely die (on Facebook).
November 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I love that people worry about me, but I always know I’m gonna be fine. My biggest concern would be boredom—get some This American Life podcasts or new music or something to tide you over. Drive safe and enjoy the open road! xo
November 17th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Bear spray? Really?!?! You’ll be totally fine.
I’d be less concerned about being safe on the trip and more concerned about falling asleep at the wheel! I get bored just thinking about driving that far alone!!
November 17th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I absolutely LOVE taking long road trips by myself. I’ve driven back and forth between LA and Seattle countless times and they were some of my favorite adventures (it takes about 20 hours straight through, but sometimes I would make a mini-vacation out of it and take 2 or 3 days). It’s sweet of people to worry about you, but you will be fine! Especially with SoMi by your side. Have a great trip!!
November 17th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I love that in your “Protection” section you never mention, ya know, condoms ;) It’s just the first thing that comes to my mind. Not bear spray.
Good luck packing! Thankfully you can throw stuff in your car and not worry about weigh limit, like with airplanes.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
No sugar? I can’t make it through a road trip without it. I’m weak!
November 17th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
How nice! I hope you and Somi have some lovely quiet time together.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I need to start doing that, making a list of what I will and won’t bring. That will help me minimize the extra junk I bring along and then don’t need. Good idea!
November 18th, 2009 at 3:32 am
I wonder if the idea of driving alone and staying in motels alone and stopping at rest stops alone is to some women like the idea of swimming in an indoor pool is to me. I can do it, I KNOW I can do it, but growing up where and how I did, I associate indoor pools with the awful rape/murder scenes from Lifetime movies.
I’m sure you’ll have a safe and lovely drive! I’d do it.
November 18th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’m with Sweets on the gun thing, but only if you could do it legally, which, unless you have concealed carry permits for each state you’re traveling through, you can’t. Even Daniel can’t, and he’s been trying to get permits for as many states as he can. It’s very difficult. Agree or not, it’s not like a driver’s license. But I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’re a smart chickie and won’t do dumb things like those morons in horror movies.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
As if you weren’t already my idol. Wow, I’m impressed. Are you staying in random hotels? Did you plan out your stops? Doing any on-the-way sightseeing? Can’t wait to hear how it goes!