Story Time

Once Upon A Time...

a family of 7 decided to embark upon a trip to the south. Cold weather in the north and an impending soccer tournament excited this family for the trip. And so it was that they packed the car and the rooftop luggage carrier with all of the necessities, then loaded up the family and headed off to temperatures at least 10 degrees warmer then home.

The trip down was mostly uneventful aside from some bickering. Movies and Madlibs were enjoyed, as well as some fast food dinner. The hotel was okay and the family moved themselves in anxious to soak up the sunnier south. Bright and early in the morning they embarked on the soccer tournament. Coats were donned, but the sun fell nicely on their faces. They cheered and played and used the porta potties. When the game ended they found themselves with a few hours to spare before the next game. They dropped in on the local nostalgic candy store and picked up treats and drinks for their Valentine dinner the next day. After loading back into the van they cantered up the hill to the canyon for a nice family hike over petrified sand dunes. The air was fresh, the sun was refreshing and they even found a few Indian marbles. After several family pictures they hiked back down. The second game of the soccer tournament called them back to the sod farm and an exciting and out of control game with an referee that was missing his spine. The daughter of the family and her team were good sports though and finished the day with a team dinner at the local all you can eat joint, where they ate mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and lots and lots of ice cream.

The way back to the hotel required a stop at a couple of stores. One of said stores beckoned each and every one of the family to choose a microwavable meal for their Valentine's Day dinner the next day. Asian, Italian and American cuisine were thrown in the cart and hauled back to the hotel freezer.

Pools were dipped into and Olympics watched and sleep had.

They celebrated Valentines Day with a trip to the local church, a picnic of hotdogs and a walk through the gloriously red rocks, followed with over an hour of nuking aforementioned freezer meals. The meal was enjoyed in the fresh air at a picnic table and was followed with a roaring game of 500.

The next day started out much like the first, with an early morning soccer game. No coats this time. Red dirt was played with and cheering was heard throughout. Going down south necessitates a little shopping, and so it was done between games. Then back to the fields for another exciting game and the trip was nearly over.

With everything loaded in and on top of the car, the family took off to the chilly north. Potty, gas and food breaks were taken. And then, when they were less then an hour from home it happened.

Kaboom.

They pulled over and checked the roof.

The luggage carrier was gone.

The parents ran back to see if they could see the luggage carrier and soon spotted it...in the middle of the road. With roads full of long weekend travelers, they couldn't very well cross the freeway. And so they waited for the traffic to have a break. The break was coming. Only one more car.

POW.

The luggage carrier exploded upon impact with the one last car to pass it.

Clothes, papers, shoes and underwear were scattered across the two lane freeway.

Aside from one of the parents using the word "stupid", they stayed fairly calm.

The victim of luggage carrier explosion pulled over and helped get things off the road.

A good Samaritan couple pulled over and helped the family by pulling more things off the road and slowing traffic down with somewhat of a flare.

The load from the road was thrown in on top of the families children.

Surprisingly most of their possessions made it.

And most importantly no one was hurt.

Prayers were answered.

People were good.

And eventually the family continued on their trip home.

To the cold north.

THE END