THE LONG RIDE HOME

Wednesday, Thursday, January 31, February 1, 2018

Erie, Pennsylvania

34 F

We left St. Augustine early Wednesday morning for the long ride home. The ride was quite unremarkable and we reached the Hampton Inn in Fort Chiswell, Virginia, by about 5 p.m. I am grateful that TK reserved a room because the hotel was full and we know it is not fun to look for a room on the fly, especially after 5 p.m.—been there, done that. It turns out that about 2-3:30 p.m. is a good time to pass Charlotte, North Carolina--traffic was minimal with hardly any slow downs. We heard that Atlanta, Georgia was the worst area in the nation for traffic, but TK thinks the I-95 corridor around Washington, DC, the Charlotte area, and LA surely are in the top five!

Today we got up early again and TK finished the drive—it was about 1000 miles total and would take about 15 hours if we never made a stop. The roads were clear all the way and we only hit rain in Pennsylvania. 

It did seem great to see our home again--standing without snow or wind damage. The plants were still alive and green thanks to son Brian, who obviously kept them watered. I face the daunting task of taking down two Christmas trees, all the rest of the Christmas decorations, and washing loads and loads of laundry, but it is good to be home.

We had a great 30 day trip and if anyone asked about the highlights, I would have to say TK, the rocket launch, Donna and Lawrence, Scorchy and Mary Lou, and Judy and Sunny. Memories are always about friends and family.