Since I moved back to South Dakota six years ago, I no longer have to travel at Thanksgiving. But I clearly remember the times that I did brave the airlines or the roads for turkey, green bean casserole 
, pumpkin pie (with Cool Whip® ), and a huge helping of family dysfunction. Usually the trips were chock full of adventures—although to be fair, nothing can compare to Steve Martin’s experience in "Planes, Trains & Automobiles."
When I was in college , there was a "ride share" board in our student union, and students used it to find transportation home for breaks and holidays. Drivers would post where they were going (i.e., metro Twin Cities; Lincoln, Neb.) and when they were leaving (i.e., Tuesday at 3 p.m.; after the last Bio lab). Students needing rides could contact the drivers or post their own requests.
I didn’t need a ride—my family lived across town —but I often marveled at the effectiveness of this simple system: Share a little, get a little. Those needing rides got where they needed to go, and the drivers got funds for gas and additional people power for digging the car out of a snowbank (typical for Midwestern Thanksgivings).
No matter how—or even if—you travel for Thanksgiving, here's wishing you and yours a bountiful holiday!
Editor’s note: The Student LoanDown team is taking the rest of the week off to cook, eat, and contribute to the economy. We’ll be back the week of November 27.
Thanks for this article.