Somethings Take Planning
I believe in being spontaneous! It’s fun to just get-up-and-go and do something when the spirit moves me. Luckily, my family members have this same carefree spirit. We have had some wondrous adventures over the years because of our group spontaneity. We have learned the hard way, however, that some things are better when planned.
Some years ago—the kids were in their early teens—we decided one early Saturday morning to get into the car and head off for Niagara Falls. We would drive the four-plus hours and investigate the many offerings in this touristy area in Canada. There were hundreds of motels in the area. There would be no problem finding accommodations…or so we thought!
In great spirits we arrived at our destination. Our first order of duty was to find lodgings. We went from one motel to another. No luck! It didn’t take us long to discover that the Falls was host to a number of conventions that weekend. No problem! We headed across the bridge to Buffalo. We’d be more successful on the American side of the Falls. Right!? Nothing was available on that side either. Back to Canada we went determined to find some place to stay.
The kids and my husband began to grumble. Driving around in a mad search for some place to stay wasn’t their idea of fun. It wasn’t mine, either. Two more hours and nothing! What were we going to do? We parked the car in front of a police station overlooking the Falls. We all went in (everybody was cramped after our extended time in the car) and pleaded with the desk clerk for help. His solution: we could keep our car parked in front and sleep there for the night. We could also use the station’s restroom facilities.
With our sleeping situation solved, we went and “did” the streets...in and out of various “museums” and attractions. Money was no problem. Since we didn’t have to pay for lodgings, the kids could have and do anything they wanted. Now this was fun!
When bedtime came we went back to the car, a small seven-seat Dodge Colt Vista Wagon. Each one of us picked our spot and settled in. Since it was a warm night, we didn’t need coverings. We left the windows open and the sound of the Falls soon lulled us to sleep. Then the bugs came. The windows were closed and the bugs that had entered our sleeping quarters were killed. Going back to sleep, however, was next to impossible. The car was too small for sleeping comfort. The closed windows resulted in the creation of a steam bath. Complaints came from every seat.
The next morning turned out to be warm and sunny. The sky was blue; the birds were chirping. We escaped the car and discovered the most awesome sight of the Falls. We had the best view in the city.
Exhausted we headed first to the restrooms to clean up and change and then to a restaurant for breakfast. “What shall we do today?” I asked my family. “Go home now!” they answered in a collective voice. And that’s what we did.
Our adventure ended four-plus hours later when we all happily arrived home. In record time we all spontaneously headed to our bedrooms for a needed nap. Planning isn’t all bad was the final thought that crossed my mind before I feel asleep.
Comments
Sounds like some of our adventures with the 10 kids. It would take way too long to explain it. Yours brought me a good laugh.
Posted by: Carol | September 27, 2007 06:32 PM