Erin and I embarked on yet another cross-country road trip from Minnesota to California this past weekend. It’s the third we’ve had, and each one has proven more successful than the last.
To some extent, I’m sure it’s that we’re just getting better at driving for long stretches of time. Another factor is preparation: We find snacks to share, and have some more media in common we can consume. We both have podcasts we enjoy together, and Erin figured out how to merge our individual playlists to create one massive playlist. Then, listening to music is no longer a “Your music or My music”, but a good combination of both.
While experience has certainly helped manage the logistics of a road trip, our increased success has definitely been helped by improvement in our ability to work together and be in a cramped space, with little to do. We’ve learned how to appreciate that as legitimate time together, and a good experience overall.
Of course, we aren’t perfect. I always get anxious when someone else is driving my car, particularly for a long drive such as a road trip. I’ve had to learn how to keep myself occupied and just let it happen. I also need to recognize that I like driving because it keeps my mind and hands occupied for a long stretch of time, and that Erin will also enjoy that experience. Being willing to switch off driving, despite some factors that make me hesitant, is important to a successful road trip if both people want to have the option to drive.
Overall it was a great trip. There was a lot to go up against: A massive storm for the first two hours after we left the first day; a long stretch of Wyoming that led to both of us being rather tired; and the threat of wildfires once we reached California. (Luckily, those didn’t cause an actual issue. An overheated semi led Google to bring us on a winding detour which happened to make Erin a bit nauseous.) Despite all that, we helped each other through and had a great time. Of course, road trips are not for everyone. Road trip or not, any long-term situations with a little bit of pressure are an excellent litmus test for a relationship. Life doesn’t get much less stressful over the years, so being able to work through a concentrated amount is an important skill.