The Next Big Thing

I’m finally getting the hang of group road trips again.

Living in Wisconsin, I did all of my traveling solo. I got used to it and rather enjoyed it, as I was free to do anything I chose, such as drink coffee the entire duration and, as a direct result, have to stop at every single gas station along the way to use the restroom, not to mention various strategically placed trees.

Living in Minnesota, however, I find myself now making road trips to the Upper Peninsula with others. At first I struggled to adjust to this, as I was used to doing things my own way. For example, I was told I wasn’t allowed to drive in only my boxers. My reaction: Are you kidding me? There goes traveling in comfort!

However, I’m catching on. In fact, during my last trip I invented a game that can be played by any number of people, and which is way better than the Alphabet game. (Note: if somebody else already invented this game, they can pound sand. I was the one who blogged about it!) I call it Front Seat Forecast. It’s quite simple. As you are catching up to a vehicle on the freeway, each player guesses the type of person they think is driving said automobile. If anybody is feeling lucky, they can also venture as guess at the passenger. The more descriptive you get, the more fun it is. Here are some examples:

Fifty year old man with handlebar moustache wearing a Minnesota Twins cap
Little old lady with white hair peering over the steering wheel who can see only to the front of her car
Preppy college aged-male wearing a cardigan and texting
Bob Barker

The best part of the game is when you pass the vehicle and all of the players stare at it in anticipation. Upon seeing the driver there are yells of celebration, dismay, and laughter. Plus, you also get to see the driver of the other vehicles react as they try to figure out why everybody in your car is staring intently at them. It’s hilarious!

I haven’t come up with a scoring system, but it wouldn’t be hard. (1 point for guessing the driver, 3 for guessing the driver and passenger, -5 for annoying a police officer and so they pull you over, etc.)

Genius, huh? I thought so. I just hope it catches on. Then it will become commonplace for you to get passed on the freeway and see the passengers start swearing when they see you.

That’s what you get for not being a 74 year old man with a pipe and a straw hat.