Do you ever have those nights where the house needs things but the less-responsible voice in your head is like “nah, let’s not?” It happens right?
That was us. We needed groceries for dinner. The cats needed more cat food. We needed fuel for the lawn mower. Generally, the to-do list was about as long as it could get and we were still looking for a way out.
“Let’s drive the side by side into town.”
This was my master plan all along. Obviously.
“You can drop me at the grocery store and I’ll grab the essentials while you go get gas. Plus, we’ll get our evening ride in.”
For real – this is the life.
Aaron and I loaded Isai into his car seat and belted him into the middle. We strapped down gas tanks in the back, prepped a baby bottle for the road and tossed a couple of water bottles into the cup holders. With that – we were off.
McLouth, Kansas, is about 8 miles from our farm by way of dirt roads. We hadn’t ever been on most of them, so we did a quick check of Google to see which ones would connect, then just kind of winged it from there. We zipped across the countryside with the evening breeze moving by. It felt great.
Generally, it only took about 25 minutes to get to the edge of town. The gas station and grocery store are within a block of each other. No one batted an eye as we cruised down the main road and Aaron let me out on the sidewalk. Then he zoomed away as I went in the store.
I was out within 10 minutes – just in time to see him driving back up to the sidewalk. I arranged my buys on the floorboards of the Honda, buckled in, tickled the kid and we were off again.
The entire exchange was so normal – but also hilarious. This would never have happened in our neighborhood in Kansas City. I mean, I get it, this probably looks like an insanely “country” thing to do. Let me tell you though – it’s got fresh air, adventure, relaxation, zen, reflection and fun all wrapped up into one. And don’t forget the added bonus points of having completed my grocery duties.
I’m thoroughly entertained. The side by side continues to be a genius purchase – including being far, far more fun than I ever expected.