CHAPTER 2: PRE-TRIP PLANNING:
Charlie Brown was getting ready for his trip to his grandparents beach house. He was looking forward to not having to worry about losing ball games or getting kites stuck in trees or just not doing anything right. This summer was going to be different, as far as he was concerned. Aside from Linus, who was going with him, there would be new kids who didn't know him, so it would be a clean slate for him.
He looked outside his window and saw Snoopy packing for the trip, as well. As expected, Snoopy looked like he was bringing his entire life with him as he had a pile of things he was bringing on the trip. Charlie Brown sighed. Not even the biggest diva packed THIS much, he figured. Even though they were staying the whole summer, not even Charlie Brown was bringing much with him. He went to see his dog.
"Snoopy, I know this is a moot point with you, seeing that you will always pack as much as you want," Charlie Brown began, "but can you at least dial it down some with the luggage? We'll be in security forever going through your things!" Snoopy looked at the stuff he wouldn't need. He pulled out some ice skates, a hockey stick, a sled, snow shoes, and skis.
"Well, at least it's the winter stuff," shrugged Charlie Brown. Linus came over and walked up to the two of them.
"Ready for the big trip, Charlie Brown?" he asked.
"More than you know, Linus," said a happy Charlie Brown. "This is one summer I've been looking forward to. I just hope I don't mess up with some of these new kids we're going to meet while there."
"I think you'll be okay, Charlie Brown," assured Linus. At that moment, Sally walked up.
"Mom wanted me to tell you we'll be leaving for the airport in a few minutes, big brother," she said.
"Thanks, Sally," Charlie Brown replied.
"Will you bring me back a shell from the beach, Sweet Babboo?" Sally cooed to Linus.
"I am NOT your Sweet Babboo, and I wouldn't bring you back a tiny thimble!" Linus retorted.
"Isn't he the cutest thing?" Sally said, smiling. Woodstock flew over, as he was also going along with them.
Later at the airport, Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock were waiting to board their flight. Charlie Brown, in particular, was looking forward to this trip, as he always wanted to go to his grandparents' beach house in Virginia. The trip would be only a couple of hours long, but they also brought some books to read. Plus the airplanes had TV's on the back of the headrests. Plus, Charlie Brown wouldn't have to endure Peppermint Patty's latest attempt at flirting with him, but failing big time when he doesn't take the bait. He would worry about all those things when he got back.
Linus had gotten some snacks for the plane ride. He brought over some bottle waters, pretzels, chips, and candy.
"I got these for all of us," he announced, but almost immediately, Snoopy snatched them all up and he and Woodstock proceeded to eat everything in sight. Linus looked in shock, and Charlie Brown sighed.
"Why can't I have a normal dog like everyone else?" he lamented. At that moment, the stewardess announced it was time to board. When their names were called, Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, hiding in Snoopy's summer hat that he was wearing, boarded the plane.
NEXT CHAPTER: WELCOME TO VIRGINIA BEACH!