The forecast calls for snow in Columbia, South Carolina. That in itself is out of the ordinary, but I don't care because I am headed out of town - to Jacksonville, Florida for definite sunshine! After throwing my two bags into the trunk, I hop into my classic, golden brown, '63 Chevy Impala and rev the engine - it is 6 AM. The time is noteworthy because I do NOT rise early...ever! And it is soooo cold out. But, I am motivated, on this day, by the idea of a girl's road-trip adventure. Mom has packed fried chicken and potato salad in a large Tupperware container. She makes the best fried chicken (marinates it in buttermilk overnight). It smells so good that I find I am salivating already. But, we will enjoy it for lunch on the way down to the Sunshine State.
I drive down Beltline Boulevard and pick up three of my college buddies, Linda, Kim, and Jackie. Although we are all home for Christmas break, we are coming together for this fun trip and meeting in Columbia, at Kim's house. As we converge in the driveway, everyone seems sleepy and not too excited quite yet. We pile the suitcases into the trunk and throw pillows, for napping, into the back seat.
We decide to stop at McDonalds for a biscuit and coffee to go. It is going to be a long 16 hour drive and we hope to make it all in one long day/night. The Chevy is very reliable for an old car. Dad made sure it had a good once over in preparation for the trip. It's nice to have a dad who owns his own service station. No, it isn't a glamorous career field. I tell most of my more affluent acquaintances that my dad is in the "oil business" and leave it at that. Linda's dad is in charge of deliveries for the local newspaper...she just says her dad is in the "newspaper business". This draws giggles from most of the girls who really know us.
There is plenty of room in this car, and that's nice. The girls can stretch out and slumber. Kim is my "wingman" - she'll stay awake just to keep me alert. And halfway into it, Jackie can drive. She has a big, old Ford Fairlane, so she's used to this kind of car. She is only 5 feet tall though, so we have her sit on an old phone book to enable her to see over the steering wheel. Thankfully, she can reach the gas pedal with no problem. We are determined to make this trip to the 1982 Gator Bowl. The University of South Carolina is playing Ohio State University. It's going to be a great football game not to mention a fabulous social opportunity.
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