The College Caravan

The College Caravan Last night we loaded the minivan with her suitcases, Rubbermaid vats, and chest of plastic drawers stuffed with clothing, toiletries, school supplies, and posters. While our vehicle is tightly packed, her room stands hollow; drained of stuff and spirit, except for the furniture she left behind like the last icicle melting unnoticed in the spring thaw. Morning’s excitement, today’s foreseen guest, found her passkey so early, she displaced the alarm clock, announcing her presence. On the verge of adventure, our cramped van vacates the driveway, eager to meet the other jammed vehicles joining our journey. Sporadic chatter splinters moments of spurned monotony, spanning the miles amassing in our rearview mirror until … A hatchback hauling a heavy load leads our line exiting for the rest stop, where the parking lot hosts vehicle after vehicle stuffed with suitcases, Rubbermaid vats, and chests of plastic drawers … Our re-entry acceleration runs smoothly, courtesy of a clamshell-covered car graciously slowing to permit our advance. From sedans to SUV’s, the right lane is flush with fenders and families, forming a cohesive chain whose links approach “The Exit” signaling for the deceleration lane. The college caravan, flowing onto the exit ramp and through the green light, turns and winds along Main Street. As the minivans, hatchbacks, clamshell-covered cars, and SUV’s pour onto college campus USA, they’re carrying suitcases, Rubbermaid vats, chests of plastic drawers, and, of course, the proud, nervous parents … escorting the Freshman Class of 2018! E. V. Wyler