Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about a topic that could possibly save marriages, keep the divorce rate down and generally make you a happier person. That topic was “the trip,” and the response I received in the community (from fans is how I like to think of it) was almost completely positive.

And, being a man of honor and integrity, I decided it would be wise of me to take some of my own good advice and take a trip with Stella to get out of Anderson for a few days. OK, the reality was that Stella suggested we take a trip and I agreed and it was her birthday so it all worked out.

Anyway, we thought it would be some good fun to get in the car (gas prices be damned) and roll to my cousin’s house on the coast of North Carolina. It was only about four hours away and it would be the perfect respite from the hum-drum life I have helped create for us over the last eight years.

Now, my first bit of advice when taking “the trip” is that you don’t rush things. I tend to get up the first day of “the trip” and run to the bathroom and shower and think about shaving then don’t shave and then start getting ready to pack and prepare for “the trip.” It’s stressful, it’s harrowing and it just doesn’t really help make for a restful adventure away from home.

This time, with Stella’s insistence, I went ahead and relaxed that morning. I still showered, but didn’t even think about shaving, and went about the morning as calmly as possible.

Usually, I would be packed before 7 a.m. and outside doing chores around the house to prep for leaving. I could be gone for two days or two months with what I am doing around the house and that stress would show.

This time, I casually watered the garden and casually let the dog out and casually found all my car care stuff and casually washed all the windows on the car. After that, I casually Armor-alled the dash and seats before casually applying Rain-X to my windshield.

Like I said, very casual people.

After all that relaxing prep work, it was to the closet for some packing. Even for two-day excursions away from home, I tend to pack eight pairs of underpants, 16 pairs of socks, four pairs of shorts, two pairs of pants and more bandanas than I could possibly wear. For a couple days, my duffle is filled to the top and then I have to squeeze in toothbrushes and contact lens stuff and travel alarm clocks and a bottle opener.

Not this time. This time, I threw the first things I found in the duffle, grabbed a bathing suit and walked away.

I still packed the beer I needed for the trip because we were going to arrive at my cousin’s around dusk and the first thing you need after a four-hour trip is a cold brew.

I had the clothes and the beer; watered the plants and turned off the water; got the dog and cleaned up the car; remembered my sunglasses; got in the car — and we were off.

Then we got that call that a family member was being admitted to the hospital.

It turned out they were find and things worked out 24 hours later, but it just goes to prove that all “the trip” planning in the world might end up taking you on adventures you never thought it would.