Since embarking on this retro voyage, I've explored many new means of enjoying my nostalgic gaming memories. Now, with my small collection of retro emulation devices and my ever-expanding library of games, my family and I will be enjoying a cross-country vacation from the burning hot south, visiting the cool forests of the great lakes region. I loaded a small case with a carefully curated collection of chargers, connectors, and devices and began a life changing trip with my wife and kids.
We started our great journey in the middle of the night. With caffeine in the cup holders and children quietly sleeping in the back of the car, we pointed the compass North and hit the road. Through seemingly endless fields of wheat transitioning to sunflowers and corn, we traveled. Seeing some of the most beautiful landscapes under overcast skies with random bursts of rain. Undaunted, we continued to push North. I shared hours and hours of wonderful conversations with my wife, and occasionally overheard the soft sounds of Nintendo Switch Lite's being enjoyed in the back seat. It was a beautiful feeling that warmed my gamer's heart. We stopped halfway through our trip in the lovely city of Des Moines.
Des Moines was, at that moment, the furthest I had ever driven North. After settling into our hotel room, I embraced my first opportunity to break out my game case and choose my first retro adventure abroad... I collapsed on the bed and reached for my Odin Lite. As my fingers grazed the handle of its case, a pair of swim trunks landed on my legs. My daughter beaming with an ear to ear smile asked, "You not going to come swim with us, Dad?" It wasn't even a question in my mind. I quickly changed and walked to the pool with my family, letting my games drift off into the ether like a dream. After hours playing pool games, we dragged our exhausted selves back to our room, still giggling as we drifted off to sleep. The next morning the journey North continued. From the corn fields of Iowa, to the beautiful hills of Minnesota, across the Mississippi River into the the forests of Wisconsin. At this point, time and direction lost meaning. Like an enchantment, every day seemed to blend into the next and the memories formed faster than I could ever have imagined.
For days on end, we explored, shared great food, great fellowship, and made countless perfect memories. Each night, returning to our beds...each night with intentions to pick up a device and retreat into some new adventure...and each night finding my wife's hand in mine instead as we drifted off to sleep. After a few game free evenings, I finally found my opportunity! We were meeting up for dinner with relatives....relatives with kids that were gamers. I brought my collection of devices to prove that I...was the true "King O' the Nerds". As predicted, my nephews were very impressed. And while I shared great conversations with my wife, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law, the smiles kept finding their way to my lips as I watched my children bonding with their cousins over some good ol' retro games. It was a perfect evening.
Then, as time had melted away for those magical days, it suddenly caught up with us. We had to pack up and face the long trek South. Back to our normal lives...what a bummer...We split the return trip over 3 days to account for sightseeing and meeting up with more family.
The highlight being that the overcast skies and dreary rain had all blown through and we got to enjoy some of the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets we'd ever seen over the vast midwestern prairies. As we rolled back into our driveway and began to unload our car, it finally occurred to me...we'd been on this trip for over a week and I had not once picked up any of my devices and played for a single moment. That thought turned over in my mind while I helped to unpack the car, organize souvenirs, get myself back in order. I realized something in that time that planted a seed of genuine happiness in my mind. Something I hope every life-long gamer realized in their own journey. Games will always be there....but moments won't...
In my week long vacation with my family, I had every intention to embark on a new adventure on one of my handhelds. But, with every moment that came, I put those devices back in their cases and embarked on adventures with my children, conversations with my wife, endless laughing, long hugs, seeing my kids pull fish out of a Wisconsin lake with their Grandpa, watching my wife and her siblings sit around a table and share memories of their lives. Those moments meant more to me than any game could ever hope to. So, even though gaming is a part of who WE are. The memories, myths, legends, and adventures we've all shared over the years. Don't get so caught up in virtual worlds that you blind yourself to the beautiful adventures happening around you every day. Don't hesitate to kick your shoes off and run in the grass, play some kickball with your kids, go fishing with an old pro, enjoy a cool drink out on the deck and take in the beauty of the world. But, most of all, don't waste a moment with the ones you love. Tell them, show them, be there with them. Moments come and go, life always moves on...but there's always going to be more time to pick back up and Game On.
This post is dedicated to my Wife, my Daughter, and my Son.
Of all the adventures I've been on in my life, you three are the most magical and amazing adventure of them all. I love you now and forever.
~Dad~
Comments