Road Trip
Monday, July 11, 2011
In which a return is made through the Heartland…
Joe’s morning began with Dad slapping him in the head with a pillow so that he wouldn’t miss the waffle iron in the cafe.
“Those waffles are calling your name,” said Mom. “’Joe! Joe!’”
He was also bribed out from under the covers with the free box of French-milled soap, which did not seem to work either…
Breakfast.
Eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, muffins, English muffins, donuts, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, juice, coffee, tea… a full spread. And Joe’s waffles, of course.
Check out.
Prepared to drive by Janek’s house in the ‘bad part of town’.
Meanwhile, Joe expostulated plans for his own future wedding as they got on the road.
“I’m going to have every single person escorted into the ceremony. Individually. I’ll have a three year-old string quartet. And I’ll have Dad barbecue for everyone. Oh, and I’ll force Linnea to sing a solo. OK, I’m gonna watch Apollo 17 now.”
……….
“Alright, let’s gas up first,” said Dad.
“Gas?” said Joe. “I laugh in the face of gas… Hey! It’s a horsey track! Alright, gonna watch Apollo 19 now.”
……….
“When we get to Janek’s house,” said Dad, “no one get out of the car. This is where people get shot, Mrs. Raven said.”
“But the thugs are sleeping now,” said Mom.
……….
Sometime around the time that Dad incidentally mentioned New England being an actual state…
“See, Adel? I told you geography is a useless sport,” Dad said with a grin.
“Dad,” said Joe. “You just became my hero.”
……….
Spontaneous outbursts of laughter…
“OK. Apollo 23.”
Oh, yes.
These were Snicketts road trips.
……….
The intention had been to stop by the monastery on the way back. But with Dad behind the wheel…
Hoozier National Forest…
“Let’s sing some songs,” said Dad.
Joe broke out in warbling horribleness…
“LEANING. LEANING. Leaning on the everlasting ARMS!”
Mom joined in…
“OK, guys,” said Joe. “I’m gonna watch Apollo 19 now. Van Diesel goes to the MOON!”
……….
Burnt Prairie, Illinois.
“Hey, are you at Apollo 1000 yet?” Dad asked.
“Getting close. 599.”
……….
Cracker Barrel for lunch.
Chilled lemonades for the boys.
Ads for their double fudge chocolate Coca-Cola cake.
Moon pies; horehound candy for Dad; a package of bright green apple bubblegum balls for Puck; Rolos for OLeif.
Projections of 101 highs in St. Louis, with thunderstorms coming.
Joe got his souvenir Woodwick Applewood Candle…
“Here, Mom. Take this. I’m too embarrassed to hold it.”
“OK, guys. Apolo 11…”
……….
Mom napped a little between reviewing the old days with Dad in Cedar Rapids by the Quaker Oats plant… their bus ministry at the Nazarene church and the Lebanese family who had fled their country immediately after the birth of their child. Under gunfire. Dad had helped the father fill out their naturalization papers. And though none of their children were twins or triplets, three of them had the same birthday.
……….
Around 2:20, back to the house.
Linnea was gingerly attempting to feed live crickets to Titus.
Carrie was checking on Earnest, who spent most of his days sitting on the cold air floor vent and sneezing…
A reunion with her boys.
Round-up of 16 Mead notebooks in various patterns and colors for 40 cents each. (That would last Collette another four years of lists and notes…) Puck also selected a special notebook to write his ‘important documents’.
Man vs. Wild: Iceland premiere with Jake Gyllenhaal, who, incidentally, shared birthdays with Collette…
Good to be home.