
I love the anticipation of an upcoming road trip.
I am filled with a sense of wonder and excitement to explore old familiar places or new, unknown ones. It does not matter where the journey takes me.
verything is meticulously planned, everything packed, double-checked, and re-packed. Another quick sneak peek to make sure nothing is forgotten. Clothes, toiletries, perishable food, non-perishable food, drinks, snacks, crochet, laptop, chargers, Kindle, and cell phone. Everything is sorted per category, what goes in the back, and what needs to be packed in front. Extra water – “in case.” Braai wood, fire starters, and braai grid. The additional “stuff” for the car trip is not my problem. Still, I know they will be packed: extra oil, coolant, brake fluid, compressor, tire sealant, tire pressure meter, and an extra jack – all “in case.” Oh yes, two rolls of toilet paper – nature will call.
Women don’t pack the car. No advice is required, no hints, no help. Just put the things down, make sure you stipulate what should go where and what should be accessible: in front and back of the car, and then get the house sorted – that is a woman’s job. And no, don’t change your mind. Ensure everything is here – don’t bring something extra when the car is packed. Everything has a place. Your chance is now – no add-ons allowed.
Part of the anticipation is the preparation to get everything done in time so you can go to bed early, ready for the early morning trip. The house must be neat and tidy – “in case.” My daughter’s words continually taunt my comfort zone when I get to this part: “Mom, who cares? If you’re dead, someone else will clean and tidy the house. Leave it for when we come back.” Then I hear my grandmother speak: “My child, but what will the people think?”
With the car packed, the coffee flask ready next to the kettle, and the house neat and tidy, it is off to a restless night of sleep. Mentally checking and rechecking that everything is packed, planning the route for the next day, and checking that all the electronic devices are charged. Chargers packed in, ensuring the list was complete for the house sitter, all emergency numbers duly noted, and enough wool for crocheting on the long roads. Then check and recheck the alarm – no one wants to oversleep because nothing is as beautiful as watching the sun rise on a road trip.

I am awake first. My husband’s chest still moving gently up and down. I am panting softly, anticipating the upcoming adventure, slightly apprehensive about what I might have forgotten. I know I will manage well without it; this low anxiety level wastes energy. So, I recheck the alarm, breathing in slowly and out slowly. Thank goodness, just 15 minutes before I can get up, pretend that I had a fantastic night’s sleep, shower, dress and fill the prepared coffee flask with boiling water, and then…. The next adventure begins.
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