5 500 Kilometres and 65 hours in the Van Later

5 provinces, 4 states, 6 capital cities, and numerous natural landmarks adds up to one heck of a two week vacation.

When I first climbed into the van my dad had rented for our trip to the East Coast, I had one of those waving my cane moments. Staring around at all the space, the two captain's seats with a foot of space between them, the cupholders, and the dual dvd screens attached to the headrests, I flashed back to the car trips of my childhood--cramped quarters in the back of the station wagon, wedged in between my five very big big brothers, the only air conditioning the open window, the entertainment varying between "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall" and "Elbow Room"--and was torn between relief that I wouldn't be repeating the experience with The Ladies and jealousy that they would be spared the indignities of the travel equivalent of walking uphill both ways.

But the more things change, the more they stay the same. I know it's a cliche, but cliches are cliche for a reason: they're true. Brutally, repetitively true. Apparently, captain's seats do not prevent intermittent bouts of "She's touching me!!!" and not even "High School Musical" (any edition) is proof against a rousing chorus of "Are we there yet?" Which is sort of reassuring, actually. Irritating, definitely. But also nice, to think that The Ladies didn't completely miss the road trip experience, plugged in and pampered as they were.

In addition to indulging in the age old pursuit of irritating the grown ups, I sure hope that The Ladies managed to tear their eyes away from the screen long enough to look out the windows every now and again, because the scenery was amazing. We're from Ontario. Southwestern Ontario. Which is vaguely rural, but still fairly civilized. And by civilized I don't mean urbane, but urban. Tame. Sure there are rolling fields and woodlots, but it's not too hard to see the human footprint across our landscape. Plus, it's flat. The east cost, however, was a completely different experience. Mountain ranges. Ocean views. Forests. Not the tame, piddly things those of us who live in cities have come to call forests, but Forests. It's the kind of landscape that makes you see the majesty of this country--and this planet. It gives you some sense of what the explorers and the early settlers must have felt, looking out at these vast tracts of unspoiled wilderness. There is possibility here, although I sincerely hope that it remains unfulfilled and untouched by the ravages of progress and civilization. Out here, you can feel how small we humans really are, and how insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

This vacation was an achievement of sorts--only the second one I've taken with The Ladies over the years. Two years ago we went to the west coast to marvel over the mountains and beauty there and dip our toes into the Pacific Ocean. This year we headed in the opposite direction and frolicked in the Atlantic. I am inordinately proud of the fact that my daughters have now seen both oceans, something I didn't accomplish until I was in my thirties. Although we spent the majority of the trip at a cottage on Prince Edward Island, it was by no means uneventful; we crawled on the rocks at Peggy's Cove, saw low tide at the Bay of Fundy, marveled again at the majesty of Niagara Falls, and walked the streets of the city where our nation was born. And, of course, combed the beaches for shells and built things out of sand.

All in all, an excellent vacation, even if most of our souvenirs did come from the Shopper's Drug Mart, what with the killer mosquitos, Diva Girl's tumble down the stairs, and Zen Baby's unexpected bout of car sickness. Even with all that, though, it was a nice break from reality, and a chance to unwind from the whirlwind of swimming lessons and summer camp that formed our summer before flinging ourselves back into the rush and push of the school year.

We're happy to be home now though, and not just because I have a well stocked medicine cabinet. Two weeks on the road, while exhilarating, is also exhausting. Our last day on the road, Diva Girl actually burst into tears at the thought of yet another meal eaten under the glow of the Golden Arches. You know the party is over when the eight year old cries at the prospect of a Happy Meal for dinner. So, here we are, itchy, grubby, and a wee bit worse for wear from our fast food diet, but also happy, relaxed, and ready to face the next adventure--even if we do have to walk uphill both ways to get there.

Comments

Welcome back! That sounds like a great trip.

>>when the eight year old cries at the prospect of a Happy Meal

LOL!

It's lovely out here in the summer-I hope you had a good time!

i'm glad you enjoyed your trip. I'm and eastcoast girl. Born in Nova Scotia, and i grew up in PEI. I also spent time living in Cape Breton and NFLD. As much as i love the city life i always long for the eastcoast.

I'm so jealous that you stayed at Prince Edward Island! Just like Anne of Green Gables...squeal! Hilarious about Diva Girl and McDonalds too.

I studied in QC, so I traveled around the East a bit. There is a Tim's at like every single highway exit!

Peggy's Cove is breathtaking...

Glad you had such a great vacation!