This was a vastly different kind of trip. A cross-country journey with my family. The five of us loaded up our Honda Odyssey with a dresser, suitcases, boxes, bags, more boxes, computers, and about 18,000 books before a 866 mile, 14.5 hour jaunt.
A couple of thoughts on this trip. First off, the family was a delight to be with. I have always loved family road trips, and continue to do so. The entire world shrinks down to just this little capsule hurtling across the country, filled with the most important people in my world. It provides an opportunity to talk, laugh, read, sleep, eat, listen to music, sing along, and just generally be together.
The kids were phenomenal. Fun to be with and insightful, we rotated seats at every stop. I enjoyed every configuration, with my son or wife up front with me. I was focused on knocking down the miles, and my wife did a great job keeping everyone fed and in high spirits
It rained for essentially the entire state of Pennsylvania. At times, it came down so hard and so thick, visibility deteriorated and we could not carry on a conversation at normal volumes due to the sound of the rain hammering on the car. We just slowed down and laughed - what else can you do? I do believe I made the comment that at least I wouldn't have to wash the bugs off the car...
Allow me a brief ode to the Odyssey. It's a phenomenal vehicle. We put more things into it than we had a right to, and it just happily shuttled us across the country in comfort, returning respectable mileage (mid-20s) and maintaining a decent pace (moving average of 68.9 mph). I can't imagine life without a van, at least for the next 15-20 years.
Driving at night. Well, I have to say, after my my most recent motorcycle adventure, I much prefer riding at night to driving. There's something about being out there on a motorcycle, enjoying the wind and the smells and the clarity of vision. Of course, the auxiliary lights probably have something to do with that...
As I motored along, I kept thinking about what a different trip it would have been on the FJR. The rain would have been felt in a much more personal way. Physically, it would have been a more demanding journey. Sitting in the Odyssey, with automatic climate control, seat heaters, and all the comforts one could every want in a vehicle of that nature, seemed just so...easy. The van is so good at isolation it allows you to focus on who you are with, as opposed to pavement irregularities and temperature/humidity variances.
Next road trip will be a journey to Ithaca, New York, next month with one of my colleagues. Ithaca is about 570 miles away. Looking forward to a fun drive with a good person in a fine car.
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