The initial enthusiasm for a road trip is somewhat contagious- the thrill of exploring new places, to boldly go (is that copyrighted yet?), planning a route, setting off and watching the scenery go by. The clocking up of miles just makes the destination so much closer that you can almost taste it.
This is quite a normal reaction unless you happen to be in a car with small children when it feels slightly different:"Are we there yet?" seems to be the favourite battle cry which only angers parents as they answer through gritted teeth that it is not that much further. At this juncture a little white lie is a good thing and a salvation in many a tricky situation.
OK so maybe it is unfair to drive 500 miles in one day and expect it to go swimmingly. Children do not want to sit still nor do they understand that the journey is part of the whole adventure. We had games, snacks, toys, songs- thank you Tom Paxton- and jokes but still it was a long trip.
Having reached the destination it is not always easy to just relax as new surroundings means new things on which to climb which can offer all manner of adventures, she says ironically.
First we stayed with friends, luckily who had children so could understand but then we ventured to coastal Oregon to a yurt. ($27 a night in tranquil surroundings- can't beat it) The younger daughter is by nature a climber, adventurer and explorer so we had our work cut out for us. The great outdoors held her interest and showed us how easily she can scale bunk beds, hide, and run away from us.
The elder daughter decided to show that she was away from home and therefore could behave badly; tantrums are not fun at any age and I completely understand why parents drink and smoke.
It wasn't all that bad at the end of the day. Our eldest daughter showed how she could fly a kite and the youngest's speech improved dramatically plus we got to see just how skilled she is as a mountaineer without there being one in sight. Both girls loved the outdoors and were so full of enthusiasm for the beach and all adventures it could possibly hold. Daddy proved to be a fine bucking bronco and the echoing strains of their laughter made it all so magical.
I have just one caveat- should you travel with small children make sure you have a holiday afterwards to recover.
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