Chapter 5, Page 20 All this way, for this?

With current gas prices, Dad's question is valid, but there is a lot more to Duluth than this. Really!

They just happened to pick the week went most places were closed for one reason or another. Go figure.

Chapter 5, Page 19 Snacking.

Almost there, I promise!

Mary does have a habit of snacking between snacks. ^^; Might be safer if she weren't the one closest to the food.

Chapter 5, Page 18 Psycho Goat

That goat had issues. Big issues.

Mary was minding her own business chasing geese when BAM! this psychotic goat bursts out of nowhere and chases her! Finally ended up treeing her at the top of a slide. I'd illustrate the whole thing but we gotta get to Duluth sometime this summer. lol

Chapter 5, Page 17 Sweet, painful memories.

Again, this is a case of parts of the state of Minnesota being moved. If you're ever north of Park Rapids I strongly recommend checking the place out. It's fun!

There was a petting zoo on the way to Duluth (specifically, slightly south of the main Metro area of St. Paul/Minneapolis) but it was dull. This place was a lot more fun.

And I have the feeling they won't be forgetting me any time soon.

P.S. The psychotic goat comment will be explained in the next episode.

Chapter 5, Page 16 Vague memories.

It was after I'd already drawn out this and the following sequence that realized (Dad told me) that the road to Itasca is nowhere near the road to Duluth. Unless we went a couple hundred miles out of our way.

Oops. ^^;

Okay, so I moved parts of the state of Minnesota around. I'm the author! I can do that!

Chapter 5, Page 15 Not so idle threat

Never complain about the length of the trip to the guy who's driving. Really.

And I'm so sorry this is late! I completely forgot about it! Aaaa!

Anyway, I'm sure that any of you who are parents have experienced what Dad's going through. And those who remember their childhood most likely remember doing what Mary's just done.

She's also going to be in big trouble with Ruth and Conny.

Chapter 5, Page 14 Does it count as traffic?

It's a little late for Mary to ask to go out, anyway, since Conny's done with the potty. That's why Mom's holding it in both hands in the first panel. She's just going out far enough from the street to dump it. Not sure how far is far enough, but I guess there's some politeness standard for this sort of thing.

Now to figure out how they get back in line. Maybe I'll skip that part. (Being stuck in traffic is funny from a distance but stretch it out too long and it gets tedious for everyone involved.)

Chapter 5, Page 13 Potty Break

This is why Mom kept a little blue potty-bucket in the van for a long time. I think it might still be in there somewhere.

At least Peter's asleep. Things could get very loud if he wakes up.

Oh! And sorry this is so late. I was on the road to my folks' place when I realized I had to update today. Of course, it was too late to turn around to pick up my flash card so here it is. At least it's the right day, right?

Chapter 5, Page 12 On the road

Minnesota has two major seasons. Winter and road work. Unfortunately, road work corresponds to the time of year when everyone is trying to get as far away from home as possible. It's annoying and great fodder for jokes.

Chapter 5, Page 11 Birdy decor

Don't get me wrong, littering can drive me nuts. Especially when it's half-full cans of pop or cigarette butts. Have these people never heard of trash cans?? It's really disgusting when one picks up a pop can to throw it away and end up getting splashed with a combination of pop, dirt, and likely some unknown person's spit.

Then again, animals can be quite creative with the trash they find. I seem to recall hearing that certain bower birds prefer decorating their love nests with pop bottle tops.

Chapter 5, Page 10 Duffle Scuffle

Mary really does try to be a good big sister. At least sometimes. Her efforts just don't work usually.

Oh well.

Chapter 5, Page 9 Where Milk Comes From

I wonder if I'm pushing my rating limit with this one. But family-centered newspaper comics have done related gags so maybe I'm okay.

In any case, this really does happen and the parties involved a totally innocent. Little babies just get hungry. At least he's not screaming.

Chapter 5, Page 8 About Face

Mary's family rarely goes on vacations, so this really is an announcement worthy of bringing Mary out of her violent funk. And when I say rarely I mean the last time isn't even within Mary's readily accessible memory.

When was the last time? It will be revealed later. Here's a hint, it is relevant to the chapter title.