Unplanned Trip with Grandparents

This is a story of memories from when my grandfather was still healthy.

My grandfather was the type of person who would act as soon as he thought of something.

“Alright, let's go!”

With just those words, he would involve everyone around him, and before we knew it, we were all following him and getting moving.

He was a bold and proactive person who didn't worry much about the details.

It happened when I was in my third year of junior high school, and I was staying at my grandparents' house with my cousin, who is a year younger than me.

We had finished dinner and were relaxing together when my grandfather suddenly announced,

“Alright! We're going to Ehime tomorrow!”

It was so sudden, but my grandfather was always like this.

We hadn't booked a place to stay, nor had we bought train tickets.

Even so, the plan moved forward with the momentum of “It’ll work out somehow!”
The next morning, we were shaken awake by my grandfather at the crack of dawn and set off while rubbing our sleepy eyes.

We took the Shinkansen from Osaka to Hiroshima, then took a ferry from Hiroshima to cross the sea to Ehime.


It was my first time on a ferry, and my first time in Shikoku.

There were so many firsts, and by the time we boarded the ferry,
both my cousin and I were incredibly excited.

I remember the sea breeze feeling wonderful, and as I gazed out at the endless sea, my heart was racing with the thought, “Is traveling always this exciting?”

The first thing we did after arriving in Ehime was look for a place to stay.
Of course, we hadn't decided where we would stay.

My grandfather walked into a grand-looking inn, saying, “This looks nice,”
and asked on the spot if they had any vacant rooms.

We successfully found a room and were able to spend the night in Ehime.

At the inn, we rented yukata and ran around the building with my cousin, having a blast.

We didn't really do anything in particular, but it was so much fun.

To my junior-high-school self, every moment of that time was special.

The next day, we took a small boat to go see the whirlpools.

Seeing the whirlpools up close was more powerful than I had imagined, and I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of nature's power.

It was also my first time wearing a life jacket and riding in a small, swaying boat; everything was stimulating.



And on the way back, although we had come by ferry,
since the Seto Ohashi Bridge had just been completed at the time,
my grandfather probably wanted to show it to us up close.

My grandfather said,
“Let's take the bus back.”

The Seto Inland Sea spread out across the bus window, along with the endless Seto Ohashi Bridge.

I was simply captivated by that magnificent scenery.

However, halfway through, we realized the bus we were on wouldn't go to our destination, and we ended up getting off in an unexpected place.

This was an unplanned trip.
Sure enough, a mishap occurred.

How would we get home from this unfamiliar place?

It didn't look like a bus was coming anytime soon.

Normally, this would be a situation to panic over, but
my grandfather was the type of person who enjoyed even these kinds of mishaps.

Laughing, he said, “Oh well! What to do!!”
“It’ll work out somehow! Let’s walk for a bit!”

Watching my grandfather, we strangely felt no anxiety, and I think we were laughing, saying, “This is a travel memory too.”

After walking for a while, we found a bus stop that went to our destination, caught the bus that came, and we were able to return to Honshu safely.

Looking back, the mishaps remain more strongly in my memory as fun times than the things that went according to plan.

Even now, if someone asks, “What is your most memorable trip?”, I think of this trip without hesitation.

Even though my grandparents were still young, taking two junior-high-school-aged grandchildren on a trip out of the prefecture without even deciding on a place to stay must have been difficult.

Even so, my grandfather must have wanted to let us experience the things he found fun.
And my grandmother, too, would just naturally follow along beside him and laugh.

I was happier than anything during the time I spent with those two.

My grandfather is no longer with us now.

My grandmother has also developed dementia, and it has become difficult for her to live alone.

Even so, my grandmother still remembers that trip well, and we often talk about it while reminiscing together.

Perhaps it is because there are many photos left from that day.

Every time I look back at the photos—my grandfather's bold smile, my grandmother laughing gently, us having fun in our yukata—

I feel as if the very atmosphere of those days comes back to life.

In the photos, there is my grandmother, who genuinely enjoyed that haphazard trip and laughed a lot.

Every time I remember that image,
I feel once again, “I’m so glad I was able to spend such wonderful time with my grandmother.”



I have many memories that I created with my grandparents.

That is why I want to continue cherishing those old memories while also building up my time with my grandmother now, one moment at a time.


And I would be happy if, when I look back later, I could laugh and talk about the time I am spending now, just like these memories of our trip.

[Announcement]

My first paid article, which is my goal for August,

　　　　8/12 (Wed) around 19:00

will be posted.

I am still a beginner, only in my second month of starting on Note,
and I am anxious about whether I can properly deliver an article to everyone.

However, I decided to try it, even if I fail.

I have set the price as affordably as possible for everyone to pick up, and if you are not satisfied with the content, I plan to offer refunds.

“Aiming for 3,000 yen in monthly revenue to pay for lunch with my grandmother”

I would like to take the first step toward that goal I have had from the beginning.

I would be very happy if you could support me.

Thank you to everyone who always reads my posts!
I look forward to your continued support.🙇