After Mom died, Dad and I took a trip together every summer. This was important because Dad was old and we lived two thousand miles apart — so a week with Dad, just the two of us, was a treat.

Our first destination（目的地）was the Mississippi river. We boarded the steamboat（汽艇）in St. Louis and noticed that we were some of the youngest people among the travelers! Even Dad, at 73 looked young! We sat in rocking chairs on the deck（甲板）with a warm wind blowing on our faces. A jazz band played in the background.

On the deck we met John, who met the love of his life at a singles dance for old people and asked the lady to marry him two weeks later. It was John’s first marriage at 65. Then there was Jane, a teacher from Arkansas(阿肯色州) who danced with Bill Clinton ten years ago at a school party. Sometimes on the deck Dad and I sat quietly, reading.

At lunchtime we stood in line for the food. People asked if Dad was my brother! Amazing considering our thirty-eight-year age difference!

After lunch the steamboat stopped at Alton（奥尔顿）, Missouri. This small town was home to a lot of shops. Dad, with little interest in shopping, walked in and out of shop after shop. We walked up the hill, down the hill, and through the old town. We walked all day. It was the longest time I ever spent shopping with Dad. It was a good sport, simply to spend time with me.

On the seventh day we reached Minnesota（明尼苏达州）at the top of the Mississippi. My home was there. Dad saw my house for the first time and met my two cats, Coconut and Coffee Bean. Coconut sat on his lap. The two became quick friends.

This was the first of many trips we planned together, but unfortunately, it would be our last. Dad died a few months later from being hit by a drunk driver while crossing a street in his hometown. What made this trip special was our time together, just the two of us. I’ll always treasure these memories of my father, and be proud of who I have become.