One of My Worst Traveling Experiences: Riding to Texas

One of my worst traveling experiences, and their were many, was when I was about 15 years old. The only vacations we ever went on were to Brownsville Texas. My father was born in Brownsville and we would go home to visit every several years. We didn't have much financially so it was important that we go to visit our family. This was a bone of contention to my mother. She was able to travel a lot when she was a child with her parents. She wanted to go other places than just to Brownsville. If you have read much of my other stories you will know that I have little sympathy for her for many reasons.

My father was not a very mature person and his driving was a good example of his immaturity. When you got into the car with my father you were taking your life into your own hands. I should say your life was in his hands. I don't mean the Lord's either,in this instance. You better start praying though if you had any kind of faith at all.

When he would travel home to visit by himself, he would drive straight through from Elkhart, Indiana to Brownsville, only stopping for gas and to relieve himself. I am assuming he got a little food and coffee to tide him over. I know it sounds humanly impossible but I believe that it is the truth. My mother did set a couple boundaries when we were riding with him after that. One was that we make it a two-day trip. We would stop to eat meals and briskly jump back in the car to continue our grueling adventure. We would only stop the first night in Texarkana where we would spend the night.

After my little sister was born, she was included in the family traveling adventure. She was about 2-years old the first time that she made this trip with us. A toddler is not the best riding companion. She would be bounced back and forth between the front and back seat finding it hard to be entertained.

I still am amazed that we are all still living. I remember traveling through King's Ranch as I watched the vultures sitting on the telephone lines. They were only a blur as we plummeted down the highway. We would be driving at 110 miles an hour in our old Cadillac. The giant plastic horse ornament galloping ahead of us, blazing through the clouds of dust.

It was dark, late and we were all exhausted. When dad was on a mission though there was no way of stopping him.

A little background here to paint this picture. One of the ways I was like my father was that we both had weak stomachs.(This compounded with my carsickness was not a good mix.) It didn't take much to get us to retching our guts out. My mother and brother on the other hand couldn't puke for anything. Another strange thing about us was that my mother and brother would be eaten up by misquitoes, while my father and I would hardly be bothered. (Not that this makes any difference to the story.)

My mother was driving at this moment. My little sister was standing on the seat between my mother and father. She was tired, cranky and phlegmy. She stared to heave. I could see her little body from the back seat where I was sitting. My father was trying to find something for her to puke in. There was nothing available. I could see him turning green with horror. My stomach started quaking. He desperately tried to find something and the only thing available was his hand. Our eyes were all transfixed on his hand and my sister's heaving little body. She, in what appeared to be slow motion, puked right into my father's hand. He looked at it, dazed like a stunned animal. He started to heave. I started to heave. My mother and brother turned green.

My mother pulled the car over to the side of the road. We all piled out of the car like refugees. My father and I puked like buzzards and my mother and brother reeled in agony unable to find the blessed relief that my little sister, my father and I all had. I don't know what my father did with his hand full of phlegmy puke, but we all jump back in the car laughing hysterically. This is my traveling horror story. It was also a bonding experience with my insanely dysfunctional family.

My suggestion for not finding yourself in this traveling disasterous situation. Is to be prepared for carsickness with whatever it may entail. Also to take breaks and not get totally exhausted. Consider all of the needs of your passengers, especially little ones. Don't break laws by speeding and make sure that you are riding with a responsible driver.

Last but not least make sure you have plenty of tissues and a puke bucket!