For their final group assign-ment, five of our Scoop Troopers (with five friends) hit the road for Detroit. Their mission? To scope out the city’s new baseball stadium and turn the van ride into a joyride!
Here are highlights from our highway adventure:
Scoop Troop phone home?
At our first rest stop in Michigan, Zack S. couldn’t resist making a crank call. “Hello, Dad? It’s Zack. We’re on the West Coast.”
When a pay phone started ringing, Jay B.’s curiosity got the best of him. “Hello? . . . This is Jay . . . Sorry . . . Wrong number.” Click.
The road is riddled
Whaddya get when you combine springy eyeball glasses, a tambourine and Silly String? Answer: The contents of Zack’s prize bag. During the ride, Zack scored the most trinkets for answering riddles, mysteries and trivia questions.
Road quotage
Here are a few overheard trip quips:
“I smell like a Tommy Girl.” -Matt C., opening to a magazine perfume ad.
“I’m sorry. What a Kodak moment, though.” -Anne K., “apologizing” after photographing Danny C. with Silly String in his hair.
“I’ve stopped at this gas station before! We almost got hit by a truck here!” -Caitlin T. , recalling a past road trip.
“Arrraaarragaggahhh!!!” -Zack at just about any point during the ride.
“Man, he’s smart! He figured out a way to make us shut up.” -Matt, marveling after the Pizza Hut waiter brought out a stuffed-crust ‘za.
Danny: “Who wants candy?” Mel K.: “Danny! You just threw it on the floor!!!”
Diana’s diary
Trooper Diana T. did a nice job summing up our tri-state trek. Here are excerpts from her journal:
“The car ride was the best part! The riddles and games were the best! I liked it a lot – especially when we all bought squirt guns! Then we played trivia games and told jokes.
“At the Tigers game, we sat and talked, walked around or played games. On the way back, everyone was hyper. I was champion of `Simpsons’ trivia. We also played a game where we talked fast for as long as possible. Caitlin and I kept beating each other’s records.
“We ate at Pizza Hut. In the parking lot, we shot water guns. The van was trashed by the end. On the way home, I fell asleep.”
You snooze, you lose
We promised a free CD to whoever fell asleep first. Kids, don’t fall for this game! Grownups will do this for a little peace and quiet, then say, “How could we tell who was asleep first? You all had your eyes closed!”
Hey, that’s what we did.
AWARDS!
No one gets a prize for neatness. Look at the van at trip’s end!
GET-UP-AND-GO AWARD: Diana T., 13, Chicago
Diana managed to hold out on a bathroom break until we reached the stadium . . . even though her friend Jessica encouraged everyone to talk about “gushing waterfalls, Noah’s ark” — anything involving water.
BART SIMPSON WANNABE: Zack S., 10, Elmhurst
Zack shot Silly String, threw goldfish crackers in Mel’s hair and let Danny draw on his face ’til he resembled a pro-wrestling reject.
BEST ROAD MUSIC: Matt C., 14, and Jay B., 14, Chicago
They toted Blink-182, Pearl Jam and Nirvana discs. But no ‘N Sync. As Jay put it, “I don’t have any lame CDs.”
BEST ROAD GAMES: Caitlin T., 11, and Leila S., 12, Naperville
They brought their own games, including mysteries and a cool version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” that Caitlin created herself.
MOST SMILEY-FACE STAMPS ON FOREHEAD: Danny C., 10, Elmhurst
Danny won a stamper as a prize and was all smiles – literally.
MOST UNFLAPPABLE: Mel K., 10, Oak Park
Constantly tormented by Zack and Danny, Mel kept a winning attitude.
SHUTTERBUG: Anne K., 11, Oak Park
Camera shy? Caught in an embarrassing situation? You could count on Scooper Anne to point, shoot and smile.
BEST SURVIVAL STRATEGY: Jessica Z., 14, Chicago
She sat in back so flying objects wouldn’t bean her from behind. For extra protection, she bought a huge water gun.
