Recurring Vacation Themes

We re-experience a few events every vacation. The first few years we curse, then we aim for prevention and finally we give up and laugh. Here are two of our themes.

Vehicle Issues

The first few years we had electrical problems – always discovered just as we were leaving. First Lobster (my husband) ended up rewiring the entire trailer which solved that one. Another year it was cookies in the cassette deck and crayon on the ceiling of our borrowed vehicle. Two years ago, despite repeated warnings, Alex's (my oldest son) window went down and stayed there. First Lobster snapped a digital 'before' picture and then repaired the door using just a screw driver and adjustable wrench. Last year it was a repeatedly flat tire, requiring an afternoon at the Seattle Costco awaiting repair.

Shoes

One of the kids always needs a new pair of shoes during vacation. No matter how many pairs start the trip with us, inevitably someone needs a new pair. Once, travelling well after dark, Awesome Boy (my second son) had to do some business. We stopped at an unlit rest stop and he ran to use the outhouse. The next morning he discovered one of his shoes was missing. We eventually decided it must have fallen out at the rest stop. New shoes ensued. On the way home First Lobster stopped at the site of the disappearance and there was Awesome Boy's shoe waiting for us.

By the end of our third day this year we had already fixed the tire (same tire – different Costco) and bought Alex a new pair of shoes.

Last year I broke my thumb – fingers crossed I didn't start a new theme.