Circa 1976. A burnt orange truck rambles down an Oklahoma back road destined for the Wichita Mountains. Strapped in the truck bed is a 12-foot, self-contained, camper. My mom rides in the passenger seat. I sit in the “boot,” a small entry-way through the rear window of the truck cab into the camper. This is a great seat for a six-year-old boy, it is “my spot.”
The view from the “boot” out the front window is good and I pass the time counting windmills. I look over the shoulder of a man who is driving. The man’s face bears the dark tan of one that has spent 15 years in the Air Force, much of that working on the flight line. The man is my father. I recognize him, but I do not know him well. He served overseas in Southeast Asia for much of my early childhood. I’ve only recently learned to call him “Dad” upon his latest, and last, return from temporary duty. I respect him. His presence is comforting. I enjoy being part of this small family.
Over the years, the truck camper would anchor many family outings, from the Wichita Mountains, to the Ozarks of Arkansas and Missouri, to the seven hills of Cincinnati, OH. We. continued to RV after the Air Force transferred Dad to Illinois, upgrading to a 19-foot trailer pulled behind a 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88. Some of my best childhood memories are from our camping trips. Indeed, the seeds of this trip were planted in the “boot” and nurtured over years of commitment to family-fun in the outdoors. Thank you, Dad and Mom.
Happy Father’s Day!
Love this! Happy (belated) Father’s Day to you too!
Thanks, Ash!
Thanx Bud, brought back many good memories!
Great to see the seeds of a new future boyhood story being planted!
Loved your Father’s Day memory. We know your Mom & Dad from Oak Grove and think the world of them. Your Dad was nice enough to take a break from guitar making and come have a beer with us this week. He told us about your blog. Keep posting and having family fun. It’s the greatest way to travel!
Thank you, Dorothy. My folks are good people.