Nine in Twenty-Four
Oy.
That is all I have to say about our drive back from Raleigh, North Carolina to Massachusetts. What seemed like a great idea yesterday morning proved to be a far greater challenge and journey. We initially decided to embark on this excursion because Dadisode’s grandmother was not able attend the family wedding in North Carolina due to health issues. After making a few simple phone calls to the airline, dog sitter, and car rental company, everything seemed to fall into place. U.S. Airways credited our flights, and our dog sitter and car rental company were incredibly accommodating. We figured driving up would be a great opportunity for grandma to to see her grandson and great grandchild.
The drive from North Carolina to West Virginia (where grandma lives) was smooth a smooth 5 hour drive. However, as soon as we left her house the freeways greeted us with heavy downpours and terrible visibility from the torrential rain. By 10pm last night, we gave up and checked ourselves into a hotel to let the storm pass and to catch up on sleep.
At 7:00am this morning we hit the road again starting in West Virginia. After NINE straight hours sitting in the car, we finally arrived home.
In the past 24 hours we’ve traveled through these states:
1) North Carolina
2) Virginia
3) West Virginia
4) Pennsylvania
5) Maryland
6) New Jersey
7) New York
8 ) Connecticut
9) Massachusetts (so glad to see this sign)
My butt is numb, and everyone is exhausted from all the traveling. Thankfully throughout all of the madness, one of us took it all into stride like a total champ…
Babisodes sat patiently the entire flight to our destination, and sang songs between naps during the drive home (photo above is her playing I-Spy from the backseat).
I hope to get to visit all of your blogs again soon!!!
Uggg…I have felt the feeling of a numb butt too many times. It stinks!
At least you didn’t have melt downs from the back seat! That always makes the trip interesting!
Krissy’s last blog post..Fundraising…..
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 am
So glad you made it home safe!! Sorry your ’smooth’ trip got interrupted!! Get some rest and we’ll look forward to your visit once you’re recharged!!
Sadie’s last blog post..Random notes…
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 am
I have been to Maryland and Virginia in the spring and it is a gorgeous time to be there! Welcome back and I hope you get a vacation after your vacation!
kspin’s last blog post..Ready And Go…
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 am
Oh yes, we did have some downpours yesterday!
You are a brave, brave woman to even consider such a long trip with a little person. I’m glad you made it home safely.
Jenni’s last blog post..This Stuff Matters
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 am
Grin, glad the trip went save, even though exhausting
!
And I’m sure Grandma was VERY happy and that’s what makes it worth it
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 am
Yipes. Glad you are home and that Ella was easy on y’all!
Nola’s last blog post..Still Missing Hopedale
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 am
that is a loooooong car ride. i don’t think i’m even ready to attempt that with two kids who keep bickering. unless i have an endless supply of dvds to keep them from poking each other’s eyes out.
Menchie’s last blog post..Three Guesses on How I Spent Last Weekend…..
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 am
Those are some states you drove through!! Wheee… good thing drive attendant is pretty!
LB’s last blog post..On the trail of a McBacon
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:16 am
hi sandy numb butt he he,
welcome back. what a trooper she is. yay.
thanks for your comments tonight. nose hairs!! hahaha
so grateful to be mormon’s last blog post..annette interviewed me — thanks, this was silly
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:56 am
Damn I wouldn’t wanna do a journey that long! Well done to Ella, I doubt Zack would have been so chilled… in fact, I just don’t even want to think about THAT!
Marylin’s last blog post..It doesn’t get better than this…
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:29 am
My kids would murder me if I even considered making them sit in the car that long…they barely handle 3 hours.
I just have to say, your comment yesterday totally stumped me. I had such a fart trying to figure out how you lived in the NICU for 7 years. I didn’t see any 7-year-olds there. Then It dawned on me that you were a nurse there lol! duh me!
Sister Sassy’s last blog post..I Loves Me Some Kiki
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Welcome home. With all that numb butt to deal with, you MUST persuade Dadisodes to massage said numb butt. That is, after all, a daddy duty that all mommies can expect from their dutiful, loving, slavish husbands. At least, that’s what SWMBO says.
Lou Lohman’s last blog post..Oxford without Morse
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:18 am
so u had enuff of the west coast? perhaps a trip to the east next time… hihi
wen’s last blog post..Business Strategy
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
I’m impressed that you had the presence of mind to take pictures of all the “welcome” signs as you crossed each state line. Normally by state three my mind goes numb from one too many enthusiastic renditions of “Wheels of the Bus Goes Round and Round…”
You’re a SuperMom! Heidi
Heidi Saxton’s last blog post..Making Mom Proud
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Lucky you guys that Ella was so accomodating! lol.
Ashley’s last blog post..2008 Organization
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
You are one lucky chick that Ella took things in stride. That deserves a round of applause!
Burgh Baby’s Mom’s last blog post..Having the Two of My Life
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:28 am
I am amazed that you managed to be awake at each border crossing. I am sure that I would have missed half of them. Glad Ella was happy for the whole trip. A cranky toddler could have made that an even longer drive. I play eye spy with my grandson Ben. The game can go on a long…long…long time.LOL
Christine’s last blog post..Life Is So Exciting!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Whew! What a whirlwind trip. Sounds like it was fun. I like your pictures of all the “Welcome to _____” signs.
Amy Shipp’s last blog post..Happy Earth Day!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
LOL! What an adventure! You get some rest girlie!
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 am
Weclome home!! and WHEW.. nine hours… I am laughing though.. my son and I play eye spy all the time.. and he spys all the same things..LOL
Kim’s last blog post..Zombie Sexiness
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:07 am
Welcome back! I Spy. We play that constantly.
Sister Honey Bunch’s last blog post..Martyr or Moxie?
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 am
Glad to hear that she took it like a champ!!! And welcome home! (Numb butt and all…)
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
I Spy is so much fun!
AtomiK Kitten’s last blog post..Thank YOU Femi-Nazis!
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I remember MANY trips like this …(and have a collection of signs like that stashed away somewhere)… ‘games’ like I Spy saved us. Looking at your post today methinks it would certainly qualify for this week’s Heads or Tails prompt … ‘Direction’
Hugs and blessings,
storyteller’s last blog post..Heads or Tails #3 & Ten on Tuesday #4
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I loved car games. That was the best part about road trips.
How cool that Ella took the traveling so well!
Nissa’s last blog post..Not one of the cool kids, I guess…
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Glad to hear that you and the fam made it back home safe and sound! And even more glad to hear that Ella was a great sport during the car ride. That’s a LONG time in a car for a toddler!!
SherE1’s last blog post..Be Careful What You Ask For
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Wow! That was a heck of a trip! And Ella is indeed, a champ among champs!
Jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..Music Monday – “Respect” – Aretha Franklin
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:51 pm
i hope you didn’t come thru pittsburgh and not contact me!!! i think you did and now i’m gonna go cry. lol. i kid. i know you were trying to get home as soon as possible.
jameil1922’s last blog post..A Love Letter
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I can completely sympathize. We drive from NC to MA twice a year. We stop on the first leg in VA and then go from VA to MA on the second day. All I can say is thank God for the DVR and for McDonald’s with playlands! Oh yeah…and Dunkin Donuts coffee…love me some Dunkin coffee!
Beth_C’s last blog post..Rubia tonta?
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
You are SO lucky she was such a good girl.. my step son gets antsy going from STL to KC..which is 4 hours TOPS…
mp’s last blog post..Recap Yet Again??
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
All I can say is WOW. I cannot imagine trying that with a toddler. You are brave & she is an angel.
Anglophile Football Fanatic’s last blog post..The Mars and Venus of Parenthood.
April 22nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
How wonderful that she traveled so well. It could have made the trip that much longer. Yeah for being home!
Karen’s last blog post..Side Effects
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Nine straight hours and that little sweetie didn’t fuss? What a champion! That is fabulous.
Glad you are safely home. Finally.
Kathryn’s last blog post..An Update
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
A nine hour drive?
Yep, I know how that feels, we get to do that every year when we go on holliday to the Provence!
Hope to see you soon, I missed you!!!
Jientje’s last blog post..Project Green, # Two
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Yowza.
Well glad you’re back. Even though due to the utter incompetence that is TWC internet installers I didn’t know you were gone because I’ve been gone.
rachel’s last blog post..Bite Me, Roadrunner
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I don’t know if you are incredibly brave or completely out of your mind! The pictures are great though.
Tasina’s last blog post..A bit of bio
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:56 pm
How lucky that Ella handled it so well!!
Glad you’re back, safe and sound.
cyndy’s last blog post..Decision Time
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Sounds like you have the best kid ever. I am taking her on vacation with me next time!
Beth’s last blog post..daily photo (365/48)
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Holy moly! That’s a lot of signs and a lot of driving. Good thing the little cutie pie did well.
Linda’s last blog post..James Franco To Be the New Gucci Man
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Wow… that was a serious road trip. Congrats and Whoo hoo that Ella took it all in stride.
Tara R.’s last blog post..The family that tattoos together, stays together
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Lol!! I hate road trips, glad you made it okay!
Have a good trip!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’m glad you all survived!! What a little road champ you have!! Lucky you!
I can’t think of driving 9 hours or more with my three kids… UGH! but just when I say that, they would probably be better on the 9 hour drive then on the 20 min one to the store.
Kids!
Hugs, Jenn
Jennifer’s last blog post..Finally!!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
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