My blogging friend Rhonda over at "Because Mom Said So...That's Why!" (I love the name of her blog) is having a giveaway/contest. She is giving away a round trip ticket to Connecticut were she lives and I would love to meet my friend in person so I am entering!!
Last night at the dinner table I told Jim and Tessa about the contest and asked them for ideas of funny travel stories we had. We had fun reminiscing over past vacations and trips.
The one I decided to share for the contest is from my childhood. Some of my fondest memories of growing up are of our annual summer vacation. My father was the Executive Director of the Barbershop Quartet Society and each summer they had a National Convention somewhere in the US. The convention was our annual family vacation. We enjoyed the hotel and pool while my father worked all week.
I grew up in Wisconsin and most trips were taken in our big old family Buick station wagon with the wood paneling on the side. We would strap all the suitcases on top and pile into the car. Back in the olden days no one was in a car seat and I don't think we even wore seat belts all the time - it's amazing we're all still alive!
It never failed, we would be all packed up and actually sitting in the car ready to go and my dad would decide he needed to mow the lawn before we left! Yes we would all sit in the car, waiting, while dad mowed the lawn!
One particular summer back in 1971, we were headed to New Orleans for convention/vacation. My favorite place to ride in the big old Buick wagon was in the way back - we could spread out blankets and pillows and really stretch out! We were zooming down the highway - headed south when all of a sudden I looked out the back window of the car and there was our luggage, sliding and bumping down the highway behind us! "Hey dad - you may want to pull over!!"
Somehow the bungee cord or whatever was holding our luggage down to the top of the car released! Fortunately there were no cars behind us and believe it or not none of the luggage came open. My dad pulled over and quickly ran down the highway to retrieve our luggage. The luggage was a little worse for wear with the vinyl (this was the early 70's!) scrapped off but all the clothes were in tact!
We loaded the suitcases back into the car and continued on our way!
6 comments:
What a cute and fun story! We've all got some doozies from the olden days don't we!?!
I saw Rhonda's contest too and have been trying to decide which doozie to blog about. I've got a couple to choose from!
Our wagon was green with the wood paneling too. The poor thing stopped on my brother and I, we ended up having to walk to my mom's seminary. That began the "seat belt time" of my life . . . Good memories, thanks for sharing!
I've told that story many times. No seat belts in cars in those days. You even used to stand up between us in the front seat!
I miss those family vacations.
Mom
lala
found you on the contest. this is funny...oh the 70's
Great story! Isn't it funny what parents do...now I'm the one. See I would be the one cleaning the house before we left, just in case we die and someone has to come in and see it. Oh I'm so weird.
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