OKC to Louisville - Story with Maps - Kathy

 OKC to Louisville with a five year old

Kathy Heim

Story about maps

The five year old peeked over a paper road map of Missouri, a yellow highlighter gripped in his little right hand, as his deep brown eyes zeroed in on the next mile marker sign.  The map, folded many times to accommodate the size of his booster seat tray, had been marked with the route from Oklahoma City to Louisville, Kentucky.  Even though hours had passed, many more lay ahead for the grandmother and grandson making their way across a 760 mile journey.  

The boy was counting down the miles to the Illinois border, anticipating the big arch he’d heard about.  “200 more miles, Meme,” he announced.  He followed the highway map with his finger and when they came to a city, he put an X on it with his marker.  The last one he marked was Springfield, where they stopped for chicken nuggets and a short walk.  

“Exit 100!”  he squealed and his finger inched along the map.  Soon he nodded off, marker and map still gripped by his hands.  The grandmother drove on, smiling every now and then at the precious child in the rear view mirror.  She taught him how to follow a highway map before the trip began, and he took to it easily.  He could tell where exits were, how to read mile markers, and how to tell how big a city was by the size of the letters.  He could even tell where lakes and rivers were by looking for blue lines and shapes.  This kept him busy when he tired of the videos, toys, and books that he brought along.   

They neared St Louis and traffic was heavy.  Large semis outnumbered the passenger cars making it hard to see.  The grandmother woke the boy a few miles out so he could see the arch.  Even though it would be a challenge, she would stop to visit if the boy wanted.  The little boy fluttered his eyes open and looked out his window.  “Wow”  he breathed in.  The car was nearing the I64 turn off, and the St Louis Arch loomed in the sky.  “That looks like half a McDonalds,” he said as if a bit disappointed.  

“Do you want to stop to go see it?”  the grandmother asked. 

“No way!” he answered, “Illinois is coming up and they have McDonald’s and they have two arches!”

So the grandmother drove on and stopped in Belleville at McDonalds - in time for dinner under the two arches.  “This is the best trip ever, Meme,” he smiled.  “How far is it to Indiana?”  and he got out his map and the two followed the trail along I64 to Indiana.