Tag: drive across america

We made a break for it and drove the rest of this nearly straight, leaving Erie a bit later than we wanted, but satiated with what have become addictive McDonald’s breakfasts. My poor arteries are probably solid by now. It was my own weeklong version of SuperSize me…

We also had fun today, and you should definitely look at these photos. We, for the first time, took a break to see a national monument – the first for the trip. We went to Niagara Falls!

A very tired all of us. I got some lovely photos, so take a looksee. I’ll definitely be going back to Niagra Falls, just to spend more time, see the Canadian side, see the Falls at dark – all that fun, touristy stuff.

This day did not start well, what with the trailer having its license plate stolen, then Lunar getting out of the SUV at the above-pictured rest stop (yes, really, that’s the inside of a rest stop in Indiana) and making a break for it. The day just got worse from there – I’m surprised we were speaking to one another by the end of it.

I was always getting up last on the trip, so Dad had gone outside and seen the problem with the trailer before I was even out of the shower. That, combined with a distinct lack of coffee and absolutely horrific and grossly expensive breakfast put him in a nasty mood, and he took it out on his driving, nearly getting into accidents several times (once nearly involving my mother and me). Then, to top things off, I needed to change the water for the cats, and had restrained Toledo – the one always trying to get out. Lunar had been cowering and never trying to get out, so I paid little attention, which was my mistake. Lunar leapt from the car and made a mad dash for it.

Now, in this area, in addition to having funky airport rest stops, the freeway is simply adjacent – there is no wall, no ditch, no nothing. Just a short stretch of grass, then speeding cars. Which is right where Lunar darted. Thankfully, he turned and ran under the trailer, by which time I had gotten my parents attention and Toledo back inside. Mom ended up capturing Lunar, grabbing him by the tail, which was a painful sight to see. He’d also managed to break a few nails, probably when trying to get away from Mom.

That was my stress of the day, probably the trip. It was hell, terror, and I couldn’t imagine watching him getting hit by a car. Thankfully, it didn’t happen. He got a lot of cuddling later that night, when he felt like being near me.

Anyhow, this was the roughest day, the day before finishing the trip, which I think might be rather normal. And, there are some inside jokes in this particular set of pictures,… hope you enjoy them, mystery person they’re for. 😉

Daily total: 660 miles
Trip total: 2166 miles

Made it a bit further, but am in a really foul mood, so not going to say anything. If you can’t say anything nice at all,…

Drive tally: 618 miles
Total: 1524 miles

Too tired, tonight, to write much – we did make it almost through Nebraska today (only about 200 miles left), though, and are officially in Central Time. Not much to say, but I did get the photos uploaded. Dad swears it’s getting boring soon, but he’s said that for most of the trip, and Mom and I have stayed enthralled by the dramatic and gorgeous landscape.

I used Audible for the first time this evening, buying about $20 worth of audio to listen to tomorrow (all Greg Proops – w00t!); actually $30, when you count the year long membership fee, but they gave me credit for one free, so it all works out in my advantage, as what I bought was worth about $35. I’ll probably sign up for the free NYTimes subscription, too, and have a go at listening to the newspaper while doing dishes or somesuch. A way to maximize my time, while getting things I need to do, well, done.

I passed through Laramie, Wyoming today. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I admit I’m at least a little surprised there was no mention whatsoever of their entire ordeal. No tourism things for sale (no books, videos, awareness items), nothing. It was just like any other place we’ve passed through, and Mom and Dad had to ask why it was important for me to be awake as we passed through.

Also, Charles? The Escape Pod recommendation was AWESOME, thank you! I utterly love it, and am in the process of downloading more; I grabbed 8 stories this morning, and was entranced. I especially loved “I Look Forward to Remembering You”; I cried, in fact. I very much plan on dropping them a thank you note for the hours of entertainment, but figured you deserved the thanking first. I quite owe you for helping preserve what little sanity there was left. 😉

If anyone else has recommendations of what to download, I have two more days of driving, if not three. I find audio books and comedy routines keep me engaged and awake. Just drop me a line. Also, Megan should email me with her address, as I have something for her.

We try for Pennsylvania tomorrow. We won’t make it, but we’re trying.

We are also officially halfway there. This feels weird. The dramatic changes you can do in 40 hours time…

We only drove about 580 miles today, which is a far cry from what Dad wanted us to get. He’d not switched us over to Mountain Time last night, which meant that by the end of the day, we’d gotten hours lost and mixed up. Plus, I think he just doesn’t want to admit that he’s not driving as fast as he thought we would be.

Still, we’re 1/3rd of the way done. We didn’t hit Cheyenne tonight, but are instead in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Oddly enough, my uncle might be here, too – he works oil, and right now the fields are in full production mode. That, combined with the Real Life, Honest to Goodness Working Rodeo (yes, so impressed I capitalized) Roundup going on right now meant hotel rooms were hard to find. Still, we did it.

I’m planning on more than 5 hours of sleep tonight (ahem, Michael and Laurie :p ), so should be better to drive tomorrow. So long as the rest of me holds out, which is questionable at the moment – my god I’m sore!

The cats are doing well, and my father and I have settled into a comfortable level of snippiness combined with information across the walkie talkies. Unfortunately, I hear that the flat out gorgeous scenery we had today goes away when we hit Nebraska, tomorrow, and it becomes flat, monotonous, and thoroughly boring.

I bought two books on tape, and I might see about buying an Audible account before bed,…