Epilogue

This vacation was certainly far from ideal with the freaky accident on EDSA right on the onset of the trip, the eerie and unexpected fog in Tarlac and Pangasinan, the near-drowning in San Juan and the inexplicable stormy weather in Pagudpud. It definitely rivals the “Vacation From Hell” recalled earlier. But even that was enjoyed as this one was. The kids are much older but their personalities are mostly the same if not more pronounced. The same number of near-flare-ups between the kids occurred from differences of opinion and assertions of character. I tended to be more patient, hoping for amicable resolutions, before putting a stop to things unless they got out of hand. But there were more lighthearted moments with joking and laughing as well as serious discussions and considerations.

With their current ages come greater concerns and prospects. Nina is already working after graduating from DLSU and agreed on this trip to go to Canada with Mirens sister after she visits on July this year. Inaki is struggling with some challenges in his life at the moment that can affect his life in the future which I hope will be in Canada as well. And Timmy is about to graduate from high school in a couple of months and is preoccupied with what to take and where to go for college.

Miren and I are getting older as well. I can’t tell you how old Miren is under threat of bodily harm and the gentleman that I am but I am turning 50 in a couple of months. Definitely, trips like this last one are getting too tiring for me. Miren, shame on her, didn’t even make it up the tower of the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. We both also have our own sets of worries and dreams but are excited and looking forward to what life has to throw at us. We will be 25 years married in another year.

So, was the trip worth driving 1,332 kilometers and spending nearly P37,000 in 6 days while withstanding the discomforts associated with being away from home? Definitely! And I would do it again in a heartbeat. No amount of money can buy the memories you make so such trips. The images that you take with your minds eye and store in your heart will outlive any photo you take on film or using a digital camera. And it has become a tradition, a trademark if you will, of our family which I hope the kids will carry on with their own families some day as both Miren and I have.

So, as the late, great Dale Rogers wrote and sang,

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you 'till we meet again.

Happy trails!

Las Pinas, Philippines