Most Memorable Vacation

Everyone can recall a memorable vacation. For Aarik Woods, 20, of Fulton, Illinois, his most memorable vacation memory can be summed up in three words: fun, embarrassing and horrible.
“Dad, there is no gas stations in the National Park, I just saw a sign that even said so,” Woods tried explaining to his dad as the low engine fuel light went on in their car.
Woods went on a family vacation a few years ago to Redwood National Park in California. He traveled with his mom, dad and sister. As they drove from their family friend’s house to the National Park they didn’t have a lot of gas in the car. His dad ignored the low fuel and insured his family that they would be able to make it.
“My dad just kept driving up the mountain like there was nothing to worry about. My mom and I were trying to tell him that we need to stop for gas,” Woods said.
They finally reached the top of the mountain and the gas gauge was on “E” and had been for a few miles now.
“We are going to have to start coasting down the mountain,” Aarik’s mom said to his dad.
They had to drive in neutral and coast down the entire mountain until they reached the bottom. Fortunately, at the bottom of the mountain, the Woods family came across a town where they found a gas station.
“I felt a lot better after we got gas. I started to feel sick on the way down the mountain. I don’t know if it was car sickness or the fact that I was very nervous, but it was such a relief when we made it to the gas station,” he said.
Certain memories are embedded in our minds forever. At the time Woods did not find this situation amusing, but looking back on it now he says with a laugh, “I’m just glad that I didn’t have to push the car.”