The Dam Trip

Back when we were kids, our parents would sometimes decide to just go somewhere. If it was going to be far enough away that an overnight stay might be needed, we would pile blankets and pillows in the back of whatever car we had at the time. My dad was a wheelin'/dealin' sort so it could be a hatchback, a Jeep woody, a Suburban (that backfired for several seconds after the ignition was switched off), or a hot rod oldies car. You just never knew. Well I don't remember what car we had on this trip. It might have been a station wagon or a Jeep, but it took forever. My brother and I were around 12 and 14 when Dad decided to take us on a drive. We drove and drove past cow fields and broken down barns and all matter of things. After hours of driving (and complaining from the backseat) we arrived at the destination Dad was so thrilled to take us to. Now, what might excite your teenage children beyond reason? That's right! A dam. Apparently not just any dam, but a dam worthy of having a small scale model of itself housed in a small building just yards from the actual DAM. To say the least, we were dumbfounded. There was massive eye-rolling, huffing, pouting about this less than wonderful sight seeing. But, the silver lining is the way I can now make my mother pee in her own pants just by starting a dialogue about the dam. Like so:

Me: Hey Mom! Remember when we took that dam trip?
Mom: (starting to crack) Yes.
Me: How many days did it take to get there?
Mom: Days?! It took a few hours, Heather, not days.
Me: Oh, well did we get any postcards from the dam gift shop? Because I would like to remember that dam trip and especially that dam scale model.............etc, etc,etc

I feign enthusiasm for the dam and all its dam appeal. She laughs until she cries. I guess it was worth it. Dam it.