Long Day's Journey

This weekend required a long road trip. Long because we had to drive nearly five hours for lunch. Long because it was too long to go there and back in one day. Long because we had to stay at a hotel so we could turn around and drive home again in the morning. Long because the 10 hours on the road and the five hours spent with the in-laws did not feel like a productive way to spend the weekend.

Long because the weather sucked.

Long.

Long because when I got out of the car for a break, I could barely unbend my crippled body. (Thank you middle-age. And stress. And being out of shape. And... Oh, shut up!)

Thankfully there were several rest stops with a Starbucks on the premises. And thankfully, our local library maintains a great selection of books on tape that are age appropriate to a nearly-nine year old.

We've been listening to many books on tape in the past few months. It started with an attempt to get my non-reader interested in the stories, and then the books, by default. And it started with a road trip about five months ago. Since there, whenever there is the possibility of an hour's drive in any direction, I try to have a book on tape at the ready. It's been especially great because the fruit of my loins is so into them now, he does not request the DVD player in the car. And, it's nice for us adults in the front, not having to listen to some movie we can't see, or to some short movie multiple times in one trip.

It does help pass the time on the drive. Way better than listening to the same four songs on one CD over and over and over and over... yes, I do know all the words, dammit.

But this trip this weekend, was long by any standards. And frankly, as far as I'm concerned, unnecessary.

Why do families do this to each other? Plan something, without consulting others, and then get all bent out of shape if you can't fit it into your life regardless of the cost, inconvenience, and risk associated with driving in snow, sleet, and rain on icy roads.

Why?

I'm just so over it.

I'm still waiting for them to get into their damn cars and come visit us.

I think Hell may freeze over first.