Road Trip

I recently took a road trip with my 85 year old father.  It was 3 of the best days ever.  Let me explain.....My dad lives half of the year in California and half of the year in Michigan.  He and my mom used to make the trip to Michigan in May and back to California in October....every year.  Since my mom passed away over 15 years ago, my dad has been making that trip by himself.  Doesn't sound that radical until you find out that he makes the trip in 2 days.  Yes, two days.  That means he drives two days back to back of 1100 miles each.  Now that is crazy.  Not to mention, unsafe.  So, this year, I decided to make the trip with him.  First he told me that there would be no room in the car for me, that his car would be totally packed including the front seat with all of the stuff that he takes back and forth.  For  instance, condiments. He will not throw them away, so he takes them across the country with him.  I swear, some of those mustards and pickles have been across the country as many times as he has. Did I mention that he is an ex-marine?  Oh, and he lived through the depression, too?  Waste not, want not.  No throwing anything away....not even year old condiments.  Anyway, once I "convinced" him that he was not going alone, he found room for me. Nothing like trying to tell an 85 year old ex-marine what to do.  Anyway, we did the trip in 3 days and to be honest, I was exhausted.  First day...800 miles.  Second day....900 miles.  Third day...500 miles. And, he actually let me drive, too.  When he was driving, I needed my naps. When I was driving, he worked cross-word puzzles.  No napping for him......he wasn't tired.  Trying to prove a point are we?  I had to convince him to stop for meals.  "Dad....it's time to stop for lunch".  "I don't eat lunch"  he would say.  "Eat one of those protein bars that I have in that bag that has been across the country 47 times".  Anyway, we stopped to eat, and we stopped to sleep, and we actually stopped to use the potty. We had a great time.  He will never admit it, but I think he really enjoyed it, too. Come on, Dad....had to be better than doing it alone!!! That is 3 days that I will always treasure.