Who doesn’t remember the joy that came from family road trips during the 70’s! Taking long cross country trips without the use of iPads or GPS forced families to be creative and have fun with the time spent together. Everything from the wood paneling to the smell of the wagon is something to cherish. The family traditions that came from trips are something that you will never forget.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. The Paper Map Ritual
- 2 2. The Backseat Battlefield
- 3 3. The Thermos and Sandwich Stop
- 4 4. The License Plate Game
- 5 5. The “Fill Up and Clean Up” Stop
- 6 6. The Drive-In Dinner
- 7 7. The Souvenir Collection
- 8 8. The CB Radio Chronicles
- 9 9. The “No A/C” Experience
- 10 10. The Roadside Attractions
- 11 11. The Sleeping Arrangements
- 12 12. The Burma-Shave Signs
- 13 13. The Arrival Celebration
1. The Paper Map Ritual
These days, getting a gas station map is an adventure in itself. But before every trip, dad would spread the map out on the kitchen table, and with a bright highlighter, chart out the course he was going to take. The map was a useless piece of paper for a lot of people, but for our family, it was an essential tool that was filled with coffee stains and a history of adventures.
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2. The Backseat Battlefield
There was definitely a lot of arguing that happened in the back seat of every car. An imaginary line drawn in the middle of the seat was a sure fire way to start the bickering. Having the middle seat was the worst. You act as a human arm rest for both siblings and you straddle the bump in the middle of the row.
3. The Thermos and Sandwich Stop
The best picnics always happened at rest points. We would spread out our red and white, checked tablecloth, swat away flies, and fight over who got the weiners while comparing the squished sandwiches that we enjoyed way more than the food at the diner.
4. The License Plate Game
We got to take road trips as a family when we were younger and would track state license plates for each state in the country. Getting plates from Alaska and Hawaii felt like we had hit the jackpot. Some families would keep the same piece of paper with the same list for the entire summer as it became more and more valuable after stopping at more gas stations to add to the list.
5. The “Fill Up and Clean Up” Stop
Every gas stop was like a military operation. While Dad was getting the gas, Mom would have the kids do a mandatory bathroom break and have them wash windows and clean the car to throw away their trash. It was like a fairy tale when kids get to experience full-service gas stations where attendants come to your car to check your oil and wash your windshield.
6. The Drive-In Dinner
We got to stop once at a place where the waitresses came to your car on roller skates, and we could order burgers, and shakes. This was a big treat for us. The car became permanently stained with spills as the metal tray that hooked onto the car also acted as a table.
7. The Souvenir Collection
The gift shops were treasure troves of all souvenirs we could get like plastic license plates, tomahawks, and leaky snow globes. These were also places we got to add to our collections of pennants, patches or spoons. We could also get rubber license plates and lots of treasure.
8. The CB Radio Chronicles
In the 70s, road trips were not complete without having a CB radio. The truckers were entertaining and we’d sometimes have the courage to call out, “Breaker 1-9.” My dad would take this very seriously and we would giggle in the back. It was like social media, but on the highways, and a special code language was used.
9. The “No A/C” Experience
Instead of an air conditioning unit, we would have our windows down. This created a wind tunnel which would tangle and mess up our hair. My dad believed gas was saved by having the windows down as opposed to turning on the A/C. With the windows down, we had to shout to hear each other, which only add to the chaos.
10. The Roadside Attractions
We are all suckers for tacky billboards on the road advertising the “world’s largest…” and “mystery spots.” After enough groaning, my parents would give in and we would stop. Even as an adult, I appreciate the silly tourist traps for the stories I get to tell, and for the break in the long stretches of road.
11. The Sleeping Arrangements
Before laws required seatbelts to be worn, the back of the station wagon was a play zone. We would turn the cargo area into a bedroom with our sleeping bags and pillows. Those were not the safest arrangements, but our best memories were going to be take days long naps “way back.”
12. The Burma-Shave Signs
I remember looking forward to reading the road signs. Each sign told part of a story, and there was anticipation as each car member got ready to read the next sign. Everyone in the car got the chance to recite it together, and if you missed the sign, it was a family tragedy.
13. The Arrival Celebration
When we got to our destination, it was a big achievement. Dad would shout, \”We’re here!\” We all were full of joy like we just crossed the country from a covered wagon, even if it was only a few hundred miles.
