Long Drives With Dad | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Long Drives With Dad

Driving down the back roads of Exeter, NH with my best friend.

33
Long Drives With Dad
Chris Harnish

Dad pulls into the McConnell Dorm parking lot, his slick black Ford Explorer drastically decelerating, the music blasting at max volume and the car pulsing with each beat. Some days its Pink Floyd, other days its Johnny Cash. I push open the door of the old brick building, and hasten to the car, attempting not to drop any of my 4 bags: one laundry, one school work, one for the gym and lastly, one for my PJs and toothbrush. While my luggage says otherwise, I'm only going home for one night.

My eyes light up and my lips form a tiny grin when I see my dad in the driver's seat. He is wearing a worn out army green hat, one he got at a golf tournament, who knows how many years ago. A week has passed since I last saw that army green hat, a week much too long. I throw open the back door, toss my bags into the back seat, and join dad in the front.

Only then does he turn down the music, and ask me about my week. "Same old, same old," I reply, and sensing my exhaustion he laughs and proceeds to turn up the music. He isn't offended. Dad rolls down the windows to expose the inside of the car to the cool Fall air. Fall--it's dad's favorite season. The colors of the leaves, the temperature, the kids back in school ;). It's mine too. The wind blows my red hair in every which direction, and sends goosebumps up and down my arms. If dad can withstand the cold breeze, I can too.

I always used to think we were disrupting the quiet little town of Exeter, NH--the way we rolled down our windows and listened to our music, singing 101.1 at the top of our lungs. I'm what one might call a daddy's girl, and have grown up with 80's rock my whole life. My favorites? Eagles, Hotel California, and Aerosmith, Come Together. Sometimes I wish I was born in the decade of the heavy rock and big hair styles--just to know my parents when they were my age.

Now I don't think of our drives as disrupting the people around us. We are just a fraction of this beautiful scenery. A small existence just trying to be heard. And through us, Bon Scott's lyrics ring, even after his death. Dad's eyes light up when he hears AC/DC'sShook All Night Long start to seep through the speakers. My eyes light up watching him. Home is our destination, but route 111 is the only thing we are thinking about. I could live like this forever: red and orange trees on either side of the car, a small house with acres of land with a couple horses in the distance. We just continue driving and belting out each song, as if is was the first and our lungs were not tired. And that is how dad and I live, down the back roads of Exeter, NH.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178400
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

5609
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451398
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22695
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments