The Johnson family’s annual road trip was the stuff of legends. As they piled into their minivan, Mom, Dad, and their three kids – Jake, Emma, and Lily – everyone was buzzing with excitement. Dad, a stout man with a dad-bod, was behind the wheel, wearing his favorite "World's Best Dad" cap. Mom, with her curly blonde hair and ever-ready fanny pack, was in the passenger seat, already immersed in her road trip playlist.
"Alright, everyone ready?" Dad asked, turning the ignition.
"Ready!" the kids chorused, although they were already engrossed in their devices.
They set off from their suburban home in Ohio, aiming for the Grand Canyon. The first few hours went smoothly, thanks to Mom’s meticulously planned playlist and an endless supply of snacks. But as they hit Indiana, things started to unravel.
"Mom, Jake's hogging all the Wi-Fi!" Emma complained.
"I'm not hogging it, Emma. Maybe your tablet is just slow," Jake retorted.
"Enough, you two. Look outside. Enjoy the scenery," Mom said, trying to keep the peace.
A few minutes later, Dad pulled over abruptly. "What’s wrong?" Mom asked, alarmed.
"I think we missed our exit," Dad mumbled, fumbling with an outdated paper map.
After several wrong turns and heated exchanges, they found their way back to the highway. But the mood in the car had shifted from excitement to impatience.
"Are we there yet?" Lily asked for the tenth time.
"No, sweetie. Not yet," Mom replied, her patience wearing thin.
Then, disaster struck. Dad, distracted by a billboard advertising "World's Largest Ball of Twine," swerved into a pothole. The car lurched, and a loud thud followed.
"What now?" Jake groaned.
They pulled over to find a flat tire. Dad got out, scratching his head, clearly unprepared for this situation.
Back on the road with a spare tire, they were behind schedule. The sun was setting as they reached a small town in Illinois. They decided to stay the night at a roadside motel that looked straight out of a 70s horror film.
"This place is creepy," Emma whispered.
"It's fine," Dad said, though he didn’t sound convinced.
Inside their musty room, the kids fought over who would get the bed furthest from the window. Mom and Dad tried to relax but ended up arguing over directions again.
"We should have taken the GPS!" Mom snapped.
"But maps are reliable!" Dad retorted.
The next day, they resumed their journey with renewed determination. However, the kids were restless, and the car was filled with constant bickering and complaints.
"Dad, can we stop for ice cream?" Lily pleaded.
"We just had breakfast, Lily," Dad said, exasperated.
They passed through Missouri, where a wrong turn led them into a corn maze of a town. Mom had to ask for directions at a gas station where the attendant found their plight highly amusing.
"Lost, huh? Happens all the time. Take a left, then a right at the scarecrow," the attendant chuckled.
Finally, they neared their destination. The majestic Grand Canyon was within sight, and everyone’s spirits lifted.
"Look! We made it!" Dad announced triumphantly.
As they parked and got out to admire the view, Lily suddenly screamed. "Dad! The car’s rolling away!"
In their excitement, Dad had forgotten to put the car in park. They all chased after the minivan as it slowly rolled towards a slope, stopping just inches from the edge.
They stood there, panting and laughing hysterically. It was the perfect ending to their chaotic journey.
"Well," Mom said, catching her breath, "we survived."
"With our sanity mostly intact," Dad added, still laughing.