Spring break is finally here again. The time we've been planning and waiting for since last spring break. Whether it's your first, or your fourth road trip with your besties, you're never quite ready or know exactly what to expect. Buckle up and pray you all make it there without hating each other by the last hour. Good luck my friends, this is a time you will never forget.
1. Stage 1: Pee your pants kind of happy
You made it through your week of hell and finished your last midterm just in time to quickly pack and get yourself ready for one of the best weeks of your life. You couldn't be more excited that spring break is finally here and you're about to embark on a road trip with some of your best friends.
2. Stage 2: The open road ahead
The first 100 miles are under your belt and you feel as if nothing can stop you. You can already envision the sunshine and sandy beach at the end of the freeway.
3. Stage 3: Anyone else hungry?
You're just over four hours into your road trip and you are praying for someone to step up and say they are hungry, because that's all you've been thinking about for the last half hour. No one ever wants to be the first to admit they're hungry, but you know your hunger is about to hit the "hangry" stage at any minute. (Please someone just say it already.)
4. Stage 4: This is no longer hunger.
You tried to eat the BBQ chips you brought to tie you over until someone else finally admits they are hungry, but it's too late. Your patience is wearing thin and your friends are definitely getting louder by the second. Welcome to the hangry club, everyone is going to hate you until you've ate some lunch. Someone get Sally a damn sub already.
5. Stage 5: Pit Stop (finally).
All hail the empty gas tank. You know if it wasn't for the gas tank getting low you may not have stopped to eat for a couple more hours. Praise the gas tank gods for draining that baby in just over four hours time. Gas tank being empty = you get food and can stop being a cranky brat.
6. Stage 6: Peace has been restored.
Everyone now has a full stomach and crankiness has left the car. You've got a full tank of gas and you're ready to kick it into high gear and not make any more pit stops until you either A. Need gas or B. You desperately need to go to the bathroom. Those BBQ chips will have to suffice until a late dinner.
7. Stage 7: The night shift.
You ate dinner and filled the gas tank... welcome to the night shift. The most dreaded of all driving shifts and you were lucky enough to get stuck driving it. It's the middle of the night and everyone in the car is coming in and out of sleep. You are left to fend for yourself, juggling being the pilot and co-pilot, while navigating the GPS and praying you don't get lost on your own or have to stop at a sketchy gas station. Hold your pee 'til morning folks. Blessed.
8. Stage 8: I see the light.
Everyone in the car has been in and out of sleep over the last several hours and you're just counting down the minutes and seconds until this awful shift is finally over and the sun is beaming through the windshield into your crusty eyes. Don't worry everyone, I conquered highway hypnosis, managed not to get lost, and didn't fall asleep....you're all welcome. *gives self a pat on the back*
9. Stage 9: Good morning sleepy-heads.
Well, the princesses in the back finally decided to open their eyes and now they're begging for breakfast. Why yes, anything for you. I only managed every duty of the car ride and held my pee for a solid five hours all while you got your beauty sleep.
10. Stage 10: Are we there yet?
You've been watching the miles diminish on green sign after green sign, you're completely over being in the car and you're so close to your final destination. All you can think is "are we there yet?" So close, yet so far.
11. Stage 11: Pass me the dry shampoo.
The hot mess express is nearing the end of it's journey to the spring break destination and you're trying not to look like a car full of slob kabobs so naturally, out comes the dry shampoo. One by one you spray your hair and pass it on, soon enough the bottle is gone. You've somehow managed to make it look like it hasn't been a day and a half since your last shower. Extra bonus: you had to stop for gas so you even got to brush your teeth at the pump using the last bit of water you had in that bottle in the midst of it all. BLESSED.
12. Stage 12: Ridin' dirty.
Feeling semi-fresh rolling down the open highway with only less than an hour left and the excitement has returned. The music is blaring and the smell of the ocean (and booze) is in the air. You're more than ready to get out of the car and begin the best spring break yet!
13. Stage 13: We made it.
By some miracle you made it to your destination and all without killing one another. You're itching to get in that new swimsuit and crack a cold one. In record timing you have managed to unload the car, get settled in and easily found your way to the beach. The first cold drink has been poured and the week long shenanigans have officially commenced.
Congratulations and cheers to all of you for successfully making it to your destination with or without a few bumps along the way. Glad no one ended up hating each other before we even got there. May your trek home be just as enjoyable.
