Are We There Yet?

It’s Monday Listicles time!  I don’t know what I would do without Stasha’s blogging meme.  Monday’s are always a bit rough around the edges and Listicles gives just enough push to get things rolling at Sperk* for the week.

This week’s prompt:  10 Things Road

1. Putting on Make-up – I am chronically late.  I put make-up on in the car if the trip is longer than 10 miles.  This also gets me out of driving.

2. Are We There Yet? – I thought this would get better and be heard less as the girls got older, however, I was wrong.  I still hear it frequently even on trips 20 miles away to their dad's.

3. The Avett Brothers and Pearl Jam – For long road trips, these bands are key.  The reason being is that I fail to remove these two discs from the car or add additional choices.  Nor do I have the gear which makes it possible to plug in my smartphone.  It’s OK.  Makes for great sing-alongs.  We know ALL the lyrics.

4. Love’s Truck Stop – When traveling to M’s childhood home, if you have to pee or want a snack or drink, you have to wait approximately 160 miles until we get to Love’s.  It’s a tradition.  Traditions are not to be broken. . . even though there are plenty of other places to stop along the way.

Love's Truck Stop, Interstate 71

5. Pillows – Although when the girls bring their pillows there is quite a scuffle getting them arranged to suit their comfort, without the pillows the entire trip is filled with statements such as, 

“Hmph, I wish YOU wouldn’t have forgotten my pillow.”

or

“My face is now indented with the outline of the door handle.”

6. Snacks – Combos, lemonade, Cheez-Its, sunflower seeds, McDonald’s french fries, energy drinks, Vitamin Waters.  All consumed with fair warning that access to Love’s facilities is 160 miles away.

7. Car Sickness – I always attempt to read during long trips.  I always get nauseated.  I have hopes of outgrowing this. Maybe when I’m 50.

8. Sleep – I don’t even need to be tired.  Moving vehicle + eyes closed = deep sleep.  Annoys everyone because I am the snack retriever, D.J., argument mediator, and navigator.

Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky

9. Landmarks Viewable from the Interstate - ANY, and I repeat, ANY building, race track, barn, ballpark, sky scraper, or spot in which an accident occurred in the past is pointed out by M.  Even though we all know of these landmarks because he points them out every single time we are on the road, he is still compelled to wake us and give us a 10 minute soliloquy of their significance.

10. The Ohio River – M is from Louisville, I am from the Rust Belt. The river kept us sane as we grew up and provides comfort when we finally reach it at the end of our road trips home. Thank God for the great Ohio.

photo credit: Ben Fredericson (xjrlokix) via photopin cc