Ice Cream Road Trips

On hot summer days, long after the day’s work was done, my Dad would gather us all up in his big, mid-70s model, maroon Mercury Cougar.

The five of us — my mom, dad, my older brother, my younger sister and I — would take an evening drive listening to the songs playing on the radio on our way to Sullivan’s Drive-Up ice cream establishment in the next town over.

I lost my Dad just over a year ago, but as the summer heat returns, I think of him and the special times we shared.

Sullivan’s offered soft-serve ice cream cones piled high with the creamy delight. It was a wonder they didn’t topple over with your first taste! And the flavors! Pistachio, the color, a soft green, was my Dad’s favorite. I loved the simple but delicious, creamy vanilla.

We would return to the car with our sweet, refreshing treat and watch the skies. It seemed my Dad would always plan these special evenings around the time the darkening sky, colored with hues of orange, blue or pink, would open up with beams of light. A summer display of heat lightning in the distance just beyond the treetops! We had front row seats to this wondrous event!

I lost my Dad just over a year ago, but as the summer heat returns, I think of him and the special times we shared.

Anita Serafino Hurwitz, Waxhaw, a member of Union Power Cooperative