It's summer and, for most of us, that means a vacation is somewhere on our horizon. A well-planned and well-executed road trip can be a great way for all of us and our families to enjoy this time of year. Vacations are opportunities to visit friends and family and can be educational, as well as fun. The key to our success in creating pleasant and safe memories is planning.

The following scenario is not the experience you want to put in your family's scrapbook this year:

Friday! Ahhh, it's the weekend! Finally, the chance to take a break is here. Work's over, the boss is off my back, and the munchkins are out of school. Need to get to Orlando.

The kids want to go to the Magic Kingdom and Universal Studios. The wife says there's a festival in Atlanta that's a must. Hmmm ... not on leave, but if I average 79.5 miles per hour for 12 hours a day and the rest breaks are like Indy pit stops, we can make it.

OK, the car's packed. Not enough room in the trunk and the back window is full. No problem. I've got lots of rope--we'll just tie the excess to the roof. Man, why do the kids want to bring so much stuff? Well, they usually lose weight on a trip; we'll have more room on the trip back.

Two hours away from home, I get the bad news from my copilot. You got the maps? ... What do you mean, you thought I brought them? Great!!!

Three hours out, the kids start hollering about clothes in the road behind us. Wait a minute! That's my stuff that truck just rolled over. Should have tied better knots or used more rope.

Four hours on the road, and Alabama's traffic is barely moving. Why is it that the speed of the vehicle in front of you drops by 10 percent for each gray-haired person in the car?

Six hours and we're two states over. Got to make up time. Oh no! Speed trap! That was a hefty fine. Lucky I was slowing down when he tagged me.

Eight hours and I'm getting tired. Need to keep on pushing though. Only got 2 days and 2 hours left to have fun. What's that smell? I didn't know dogs got carsick!

Ten hours and we're still cruising. Sure wish I had a map. Well, we can make better time on these back roads. Yes dear, I hear a grinding noise from the engine too! ... No, I don't know what's wrong! ... We'll just slow down and pull off at the next town.

OK, what's that sign say up ahead? Barksdale AFB?!! From the back seat, a voice calls out, "But Dad, we just came from there!" Copilot says, "I told you to take a right in Mississippi!"