Taking a road trip with a pet can be an enjoyable and memorable experience with the right preparation. This article recounts the author’s childhood memories of road trips, focusing on the adventures and mishaps that occurred during their family vacations.
The author’s family would often embark on road trips during the summer, with their father driving and the mother and children in the back. The family did not play games or look for interesting sights along the way, instead focusing on covering ground. They would stop at Stuckey’s restaurants for food and souvenirs, and the author’s brother once brought a pet turtle along, only for it to escape and cause a frantic search.
Another memorable incident occurred when the author, who was around 5 years old, climbed out of the car to use the restroom at a gas station and was left behind when the family drove off. They eventually realized their mistake and turned around to find the young child waiting on the curb.
As the family grew older, they acquired a camper shell for their car, which provided more comfort and reduced arguments. The author’s kids, who are now grown, no longer take road trips with their parents, preferring to travel in their own cars. The author hopes that they will enjoy road trips as much as they did and encourages them to make memories with their own children, but advises against bringing pets, especially turtles.
