WILL B.

B.

Hoping to take some day trips and possibly a weekend getaway this summer, I began to imagine the possibilities. What I like most is trips that include short day trips, longer vacations by car and trips that may last a weekend. Thinking back and reviewing some of my fondest memories with all three categories, I realized the ones that included the most fun were always the short day trips and weekend trips.

The thought of being cramped up in a car for a week going to and from a vacation destination or a tour of many spots of interest has my joints aching just thinking about it.

The longer trips are always the most fun in planning and in the beginning and ending of said trips. The in-betweenness of the trip is where things tend to get monotonous and, in some cases, a little aggravating depending on the company. Ha-ha!

I remember countless long vacation trips in the car as a kid that included constant bickering, fighting and seeing who could annoy who the most until Dad’s arm reached over the seat to smack the closest kid as he screamed at the top of his lungs to “KNOCK IT OFF” and the car swerved dangerously close to oncoming traffic.

I guess later, as we have more control over our time off and remember some not-too-fond family vacations, we learn what works and what does not work.

So, for me the day trip and weekend trips have always been my favorite. Any longer and I just find myself missing how comfortable the couch is while the A.C. blasts like an arctic cold front and the Texas summer melts everything to oblivion under 100-plus degree weather.

Being Gen X, I was lucky enough to grow up in the changing of many things including the transition from being locked out of the house all summer to finding entertainment on our own. We’d play Super Mario Brothers for eight hours straight while binging on Pepsi and Doritos til our hands could no longer hold the controller, then we switched to MTV and horseplay till we fell into comas having expended all sugar previously ingested.

Back to the point, day trips and weekend getaways. Both will allow a much-needed diversion and summer break from the never-ending grind of life without turning into a snoozefest.

One of my favorite day trips, taken only two summers ago, was a series of day trips to all the rural museums in the area.

You would be surprised just how many there are. Each trip lasted anywhere from four to eight hours, and they turned out to be very entertaining and interesting and still allowed me to be home in time for dinner.

What are some of your favorite memories of summer vacations and or day trips? The snacks for road trips are always the best, and lucky for us can be had on long or short trips.

This is Will B saying, don’t forget the beef jerky, soda and treats when loading up for your next trip!