spring break 1996*
An article in Sunday's paper caught my eye: "A Break from Tradition: Ohio offers unusual ideas for spring vacation." The article details some "exciting" and money-saving spring break alternatives. Maple syrup festivals! Museums! Cleveland's Expo Center! And THREE zoos: Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
The writer has nothing on our family, who hit upon the idea of a "stay-cation" in 1996. What we failed to take into account was the minor detail of taking our kids along. Four kids who, it turned out, seemed to be suffering acute "bad humors" as my mother used to put it.
Or the stars misaligned.
Or bad karma.
Nah. The kids were just downright bad those three days.
Our destination: Salt Fork state park in east-central Ohio. Ohio's largest park! Lakeside cabins! Indoor pool at the lodge! Miles of hiking trails! A virtual nirvana, it would seem.
Well. Immediately upon arrival, our darling foursome conspired to make this the getaway from you-know-where.
Bed-jumping.
Head-smacking.
Brother-chasing.
Sister-tormenting.
Door-slamming.
Interminable tattling.
A sudden aversion to board games.
Uncontrollable, obnoxious squealing and laughing.
Bodily noise-making. Lots of that.
Now, Bill and I were fully capable of and experienced in discipline. But the lakeside cabin was, at best, cramped quarters for six and the weather too cold and rainy to banish four kids outside for the day. And night. Maybe we were just tuckered out parents, too winter-weary, too annoyed, too something to improve the situation. What can I say? Family life isn't perfect.
We hiked the slippery, muddy trails. For 45 minutes. We swam in the lodge pool: the one saving activity of the trip. At wit's end, we ventured to the nearest town to check out a well-known diner. We ate at that diner three times in two days for entertainment.
On the drive home, I promised myself: we just took our first and last spring break in Ohio. I also wondered if perhaps the children had outfoxed us: they weren't crazy about the idea from the start, and their minds wandered to warmer destinations for our cold Ohio spring breaks.
Local spring break? A romantic get-away with your honey, perhaps. But you might consider leaving the kids at home, especially if you have four who are in a season of acute bad humor.
* Dad - trying to be postive.
Katie, 6 - the persecuted, dejected youngest.
David, 12 - the "angel" oldest, undoubtedly with something up his sleeve.
Mark, 8 - kicking someone under the picnic table.
Dan, 11 - hoping he won't be caught.
6 comments:
The expressions (or lack of) on each person's face in this picture speak loudly. I'm eager to hear if your kids recall this vacation as you did. :-)
-d
Hahaha...darn right I've got something up my sleeve!
We were wicked on that trip. Although I must admit, I really don't remember very much of it. Maybe I've blocked it out? That probably doesn't offer much consolation, considering I was the oldest and probably remember more than the other three. Oh well, can't win 'em all.
I think I do remember that we went straight from my Power of the Pen tournament to Salt Fork.
Bill's comment exactly, Dove!
David, your memory is better than mine!
Waiting to hear from the other three ...
I remember this trip, albeit vaguely.
I remember the bunk beds in the cabin, playing a RoadRunner vs. Coyote game on my "Game Gear" and swimming in the pool. And the rainy weather. I do remember enjoying it, though. What was the name of the diner?
And mom, you should know that the bony leg under the table is mine, not Mark's...apparently I was the one up to the most mischief!
I have heard some stories about this trip (I think). I can recall the 'bodily function' humor...
Yeah, Mark's leg was definitely not that bony.
Post a Comment