Lio by Mark Tatulli for August 15, 2013

I think they’ll be able to keep it up for three more miles.

It’s about to become the Lio-est place on earth.

I see Ishmael and Mittens, but where’s Frank?

What’s dad driving…an original 80’s vinyl- sided station wagon….probably golden yellow

Looks like the first vacation they’ve taken since Lio lost his mom….dad must be feeling happier these days, too.

What a snazzy real faux-wood-sided station wagon! Not only Dad and Lio and a pile of gear inside, but on the roof, carefully wrapped, Ishy (the giant squid), Pong (the robot), and Mittens (the lobster); maybe more of the extended family are also present but out of sight. I am, however, astonished that one one of Dad’s suggested destinations prevailed over Lio’s choice of Mysterious Island! Nonetheless, everyone seems to be enjoying their vacation—so far.

Hey! I thought only Disney World had the obligatory cheering sign.

Compulsory cheering? Makes me want to do exactly the opposite.

No cat?

“YAAYY”!

Five minutes after Lio, Dad, Ishy & Mitten’s arrival, a hurried throng of cars filled with paniced folks LEAVING Vacationland.

The car is so new, it’s still in the box!

Why am I not surprised they are traveling in a Griswold Family Truckster?

Minivans.

Am I seeing things, or is Dad driving the Wagon Family Truckster?

Here we go!

my dad probably felt like Lio’s dad back in the 60’s hauling all the neighborhood kids to the beach. there’d be 15 of us hangin’ out of the stationwagon. My dad was the coolest.

Didn’t Mitt Romney get in a lot of trouble for doing this??

dad is the best

They didn’t bring Cybil?

I love the little spiders!

Bringing a lobster to Vacationland is like carrying coals to Newcastle.