The first time we ever made this drive was when I was in third grade. This was well before the time of iPods, XM Satellite Radio, portable DVD players, GPS tracking devices, etc. We still like to joke about the "portable TV" my parents created for us. This consisted of a small TV with a VCR player and TV shelf strapped to the back of the driver's chair. This took up so much room in the car that no one could sit behind the driver because there was no room for their legs. Anytime we left the vehicle we had to put blankets over this contraption to cover it up. While it did help the drive, it was nothing compared to the technology we had this time around. My sister brought her laptop computer. This allowed us to play games, do homework, watch movies, etc. The best thing was that it hardly took up any room and when we left the truck we could put it under the seat and no one knew it was there!
Technology was definitely on our side for this trip. No more constantly looking at maps, searching for radio stations only to have them go fuzzy a couple hours down the road, and most importantly I could turn on my iPod and tune out my parents music. It's amazing to think about how much technology has changed in fourteen years. For the most part, I was always using some form of technology for entertainment or necessity. I really do believe that is the reason why this road trip went so smoothly.
I'm so jealous you got to go on this amazing vacation while I was stuck here in Iowa!! It definitely gave me a laugh when you talked about the TV with VCR strapped to the back of the driver's seat! How far we have come...
ReplyDeleteA laptop & iPod are definitely everyday essentials for me, although I do believe I could go without them (but not for long!). I can definitely relate to how much it helps to have a laptop while going on a long trip. Even on a plane that has TVs built into the back of the seats, I still would get out my laptop and work on something or use it for my entertainment. We are so used to this convenience-I don't even want to remember what it was like to go on a trip without technology!
Sounds like you had a great time :)
First, I am so jealous of your trip!! What a great description back to memory lane with how we "used" to travel with technology. Isn't it amazing how we now just pull these devices out and it just seems natural. I loved the description of your "first" TV in the car - LOL!
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