A journey of 6,425 miles starts with one step – and sometimes that is indeed the most difficult. I had told a friend that we would leave on Thursday, even if we only made it as far as her driveway - a mere two miles closer to the Interstate. I wasn’t exactly kidding.
At some point, you have to fire all the planners, throw away the lists, and simply leave. At 6:35pm, we did just that.
Of course, at 6:35pm the children hadn’t eaten (nor had we). We needed ice. We needed gas. So, John stopped at Sheets and I ran across the street to the McDonalds in the rain.
The trailer did not fit in the parking lot.
On my way back across, arms loaded with dinner and drinks for five, I saw our fully loaded truck and trailer at the gas station. The bikes on the rear rack hinted at the size of its occupants, and anticipated their adventures to come.
Still, I couldn’t believe that this is us – our family.
Jay pulled around. Realizing the precariousness of my load, he jumped out of the F-150 and ran around to open the door. The rain seemed to pause for a moment, giving way to his chivalry.
Indeed. My family. Our trailer. My husband. He was rewarded with a kiss as I hopped into the truck.
The children played car bingo and shape games until they fell asleep around 10pm. We drove on until midnight, finally stopping at a KOA somewhere in Indiana.
At some point, you have to fire all the planners, throw away the lists, and simply leave. At 6:35pm, we did just that.
Of course, at 6:35pm the children hadn’t eaten (nor had we). We needed ice. We needed gas. So, John stopped at Sheets and I ran across the street to the McDonalds in the rain.
The trailer did not fit in the parking lot.
On my way back across, arms loaded with dinner and drinks for five, I saw our fully loaded truck and trailer at the gas station. The bikes on the rear rack hinted at the size of its occupants, and anticipated their adventures to come.
Still, I couldn’t believe that this is us – our family.
Jay pulled around. Realizing the precariousness of my load, he jumped out of the F-150 and ran around to open the door. The rain seemed to pause for a moment, giving way to his chivalry.
Indeed. My family. Our trailer. My husband. He was rewarded with a kiss as I hopped into the truck.
The children played car bingo and shape games until they fell asleep around 10pm. We drove on until midnight, finally stopping at a KOA somewhere in Indiana.
The picture above shows our happy children, the so-called ‘pit crew’ helping to ready the camper for our departure early Friday morning.
An hour or so later, we would experience a very, very embarrassing setback.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. You'll have to enjoy their smiles until Day 2.
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6 comments:
Car games=torture for me. You are a better mom.
I am trying to imagine doing this with my four kids, and I get dizzy.
I can only imagine the setback.
I could never. You deserve an award. Welcome back.
Indy - Somewhere I reminded my children that some children have never even left Ohio.
Brigette - Just read them The Brothers Karamazov.
Badass - It was pretty sad. I'll put it up tonight.
OHmommy - Tee hee. You could do it. Its just a different kind of travelling.
how do you spell exhaustion???
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