morgi3: Heading South for the Winter

As I promised, and we all wished were not true, the day to head south

came.

And early it arrived.

Like 3:30 a.m. kinda early.

I realized something on the previous night as I watched the sun sink down below the city; that was the last time I'd see Connecticut, New York City, and New Jersey in daylight.

The next time I'd see the sun, we would be hours away from there.

When we awoke, it was freezing. Which was fine. No, it was great. We are so not southern, warm weather people. We belong in the freezing, snowy air! Yes, it was a interesting to load up the car very early in the morning in temps of a near 30', but it was good.

After unloading the car, re-loading the car, then unloading a bit more to the trash because there just wasn't enough room, we were finally at take-off point. Then after a last stop at a bagel shop for some onion bagels, we hit the highway.

And then we found ourselves stopping at numerous places for the traditional statement you will always hear on a long trip especially after handing out drinks.

We've never seen so many gas station, rest stop, and starbucks bathrooms.

We even brought ourselves to using port a potties at this place:

Which we visited out of Taylor's request. Her light of love burns bright for that #10;) *Copy write it Taylor*.

We took another pit stop in Virginia to visit child #1 at college.

Grabbed some Subway.

And continued.

(This photo is a personal favorite;)

Sneaking a few strokes with Dad's hairbrush as Dad rests for his shift to drive.

However many hours later, (I can't even remember how long it took......over 12 I do know that.)

we dragged into the driveway with:

90% of the passengers asleep

1 packed trunk

1 stinky dog with no kennel. (It became a victim of the "doesn't fit? chuck it!" organization.)

We emptied the trunk

and crashed into our pillows,

in our beds.

The next day we made couch potatoes look like hard, descent workers.

Poor Dad had to be to work early that day, and missed out on be a potato day.

Luckily I documented.

The laundry piles and stacks of shoes made me look even smaller.

The knick knack souvenirs were everywhere.

Suitcases were strewn about in every place, each dug through for necessities. No one dared to empty and replace everything to it's rightful home.

I believe that action pronounces the official end to the trek.

Which we did not yet want to realize.

Some took to different activities hoping they might be as equally entertaining as the grand festivities they just experienced every day of the previous week.