Girl Travel

I'm used to traveling alone having jetted around most of the United States and half the world for work, pleasure or adventure.

Routines are quickly developed traveling alone ... where to park at the airport, where to sit while waiting, how to talk to people or not, food and bar preferences, how to be entertained or not.

For a while, my son Jeremy and I did a fair amount of traveling together ... to UGA football games or rock concerts and we also developed our own routines ... once I learned he was lying and could drive a stick shift!

I've gone to the Keys with my daughters during Daddy/Daughter trips and while Kristen stayed on her phone the entire time with her boyfriend, Chelsea and I called the Vatican one night sitting beside the pool in Key Largo because we needed to ask the Pope something.

1-800-VATICAN.

The phone rings but no one answers.

The most enjoyable travel these days is when Sarah and I get to go somewhere alone, which hardly ever happens, but we have tremendous fun because everything is a brand new adventure and we exploit the Hell out of it making up for lost time.

This trip ... it's me and four girls.

Sarah, Maddie, Laurel and Cassidy are redefining travel fun ... primarily because I've acclimated to their travel values which consists of inspecting the hotel ... scoping out the boys ... hitting the pool ... leaving all manner of clothing scattered around the room ... eating out ... sleeping late ... waiting until the last minute to eat breakfast and ... getting ready.

I used to be in a hurry, get frustrated, react unnecessarily and ask God why this is happening to me?

Then something of a miracle occurred.

Yesterday, Sarah's honking the horn as she, Laurel and Cass are ready to go but Maddie and I take our time.

Maddie is the beguiling 14 year old genius who knows everything but balances it by remaining clueless.

Honestly I don't believe I'll ever be the last person ready to leave until Maddie moves out which, if everything goes right, is in three years.

But despite the cost to every hotel room we've ever shared, the girls have taught me to ... relax and enjoy.

There's too much hurrying in life as it is!

There are too many rules.

So what if it takes 28 hotel towels to dry off after 15 seconds in the pool?

Traveling should be enjoyed!

And you know what?

I'm enjoying the Hell out of this trip.