Tomorrow, We Ride...

This photo was taken the summer of 1968 on a family vacation. I am the youngest, my sister Sue is behind me and my sister Deb is beside me, and our brother Steven is peeking from behind. My oldest brother, Mike, was also along on this trip but my youngest brother, Greg, was not yet born.  This is the last photo I can find of this particular group traveling together. I'm certain that there were more trips because each summer we took a family vacation, but as my sisters and brothers got older, their summer jobs quite often prevented them from joining the family vacation and they stayed home while we traveled. (A privilege denied me by the way, due to my somewhat wilder lifestyle and my parent's good judgement!)  But now more than 30 years later, we are planning to hit the road together once again for a family vacation.


Each winter, my parents leave the snow and cold behind, and travel to McAllen, Texas where they soak up the sunshine all winter long. I've never had opportunity to visit them so when they confirmed this year that they were going to Texas again, my sisters and I quickly volunteered to come for a visit. We coaxed my brothers to join us and Steven will be along for the fun. My oldest brother and youngest brother both have commitments at home so they will "hold the fort" as my dad always says.


We load up tomorrow morning in Deb's minivan and begin the long drive south. Along the way, we plan to stop at the Oklahoma City Memorial, spend a day at San Antonio River Walk, and enjoy whatever else catches our eye on the way. We'll spend a few days with my parents and then once again, journey home. I've been looking forward to this trip ever since we first began talking about the possibility. My brothers and sisters are my best friends, and the opportunity to spend this time with some of them, as we travel to visit our parents is the best vacation I can imagine. 


I've packed my bags (way too many, way too much), we've planned our route, and we've made arrangements for our absence from the day to day of our lives.  We have no idea what this road trip will bring our way and the adventure is in the unknown. We'll take each moment and every mile as it comes - enjoying the ride along the way.  And we will return in a week with the memories of a family vacation that may even rival the best of 1968.


Today we pack. Today we plan. Today we anticipate.  But tomorrow....we ride...