Here’s another adventure (the first, actually) about the gang from “Happy Birthday, Valerie.” It was inspired by a conversation I was having with some friends about our ideal road trip and by a word prompt from StoryaDay.org that tasked us with writing a story in the format of a list.
To Do/Itinerary
Key people: Brooke, Sonya, Valerie, and me.
Goal: to have a great girls’ weekend away
Note to self: the others will laugh at this document, especially the 24-hour clock, so keep it hidden, but close.
FRIDAY
0800 See the kids off on the school bus.
0900 Pick up the rental car.
Load w/my bag and cooler.
0930 Pick up Brooke.
Please let her be in a good mood.
0945 Pick up Sonya.
Make sure Sonya gets the front seat so she doesn’t squabble with Valerie the whole way there.
1015 Pick up Valerie.
Pray she hasn’t overpacked as usual.
Hit the road.
Turn around because Valerie forgot her charger cable and that’s all she’ll talk about if we don’t go back for it.
Hit the road again
1215-ish Stop for lunch somewhere.
Preferably a place where they have vegetables other than potatoes.
1330 Back on the road.
Tactfully suggest Val and Sonya switch spots, just for a change in company.
1500 Arrive at Owl Tree B&B in Prince’s Cove, check-in.
Make sure Brooke’s room is on the main level, so she can slip outside for yoga.
Make sure Sonya has a lake view.
Make sure Val’s room has a fridge and DVD player.
Make sure I’m not right next to any of them.
1540 Explore Prince’s Cove.
Don’t forget to look for local yarn for Julie’s sweater.
Brooke wants to check out the stationary shop on Brock Street
Pick up: Snacks, Rental DVDs – no dramas unless it’s Dirty Dancing or Footloose.
Let Sonya pick the wine, she had the best taste
1800 Dinner at Prince’s Cove Inn.
Reservation is in my name. Try their fish and chips
2030 Pajama party in Val’s room
???? Bedtime.
I love these women like sisters, but come hell or high water, I will sleep in my own bed.
SATURDAY
0830 Breakfast at Owl Tree if not too hungover.
0930 Breakfast at Owl tree if hungover.
Even if I have to drag everyone out of bed kicking and screaming.
1030 Leave for the day.
Don’t forget the picnic lunch made by Owl Tree!
Pick up ice for cooler on the way. And maybe some Gatorade, and extra Advil, just in case.
1100 Tour of the Cow Patch Dairy
Pray the smell of manure is manageable.
Sample their blue, if it’s good, get some for Jake.
Valerie will want to pet the cows.
1230 Picnic at Iris Beach Park
If sunny, go swimming, if raining, don’t. Either way, bring towels.
Sonya will want to paint, regardless.
1430 Tour of Cool Bleats Farm
Meet sheep, see about local wool.
Valerie will also want to pet the sheep.
SAMPLE and likely pick up manchego, Osaypek, and feta.
1700 Back to Owl Tree
For the love of God, put the cheese in the fridge.
Check-in with home.
1830 Dinner at the Snowman’s Nose cafe
Brooke’s choice, she’s usually on the nose about these things (ha!)
2100 Karaoke at the Legion Hall
Try to make sure Sonya doesn’t get too drunk and sing Total Eclipse of the Heart. If she does anyway, get it on video to show her kids.
Make sure Brooke and Valerie don’t fight over the DJ.
Hope they can make a decent Caesar.
???? Stagger back to Owl Tree, collapse into respective beds.
Are we getting too old for this shit? Nah. Make sure I set my alarm before we go for dinner, though.
SUNDAY
???? Breakfast or Brunch at Owl Tree
Depends on the time.
Make sure everyone gets up, especially Sonya.
1300 Check-out by this time
Remember the cheese in the fridge!
Get more ice, and water for the trip home.
Make sure everyone has everything, except the empties. We’ll leave those.
1430 Pit-stop for anyone who’s awake
1630 Wake up and drop off Valerie
Wake up her, that is…if I’m sleeping and driving, we’ve got worse problems.
1700 Drop off Sonya
1715 Drop off Brooke
1730 Meet Jake at the car rental place. Return car put keys in dropbox
1740 Home
Collapse, and consider calling in sick the next day.
Someone else can plan the next one.
Copyright 2018 Jessica Allyson
