Day 7: Longest Day So Far
Whoa. The difference between how you feel after a 6-hour day and a 9-hour day is pretty massive. There was a lot of pretty country, but after Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois, we were pooped. I think you all are going to start spying a theme here. Happy, but tired.
Cory asked how we made the travel back from our honeymoon a couple of years ago. We drove Weatherford, TX to Portland, OR in two days with the dogs. One stop in Moab and that was it. What were we thinking? But, in our defense, we were coming off of a week in Belize, not weeks and weeks of packing and stressing and such. I think that was the difference maker.
Today were were up and out at the usual time: 7:15a-ish. However, this was the first day that I realized we were heading to the land of humidity. In Portland, I would surely start this morning bundled up. By 8a in the midwest, it’s shorts and a tank for me. And, I bet it’s only gonna get hotter.
This was also the first day that we experienced traditional traffic (unlike the sightseeing variety in Yellowstone). We had to take a hefty detour, due to the flooding. Guess you never realize how bad things are until you’re there. I heard about the flooding from numerous news sources, but did not picture it as something that submerged roadways and where vehicles needed to be rerouted. That’s the small part. People’s homes and farms were underwater. Tough to witness.
As I mentioned yesterday, Midtown Omaha is pretty cute. But, between there and Marion, Illinois (where we are tonight) is the land of:
- Culver’s
- Perkins
- Billboards (more of them)
- Oddly-named antique stores
Also, on our route we passed FOUR Air Force Bases. No Army or any other branch, but we got to peek at Ellsworth, Offutt, Whiteman, and Scott AFB. I’m taking that as the good juju for the day. :) #usaf
Even though we’re in Marion, Illinois tonight (I’m sure none of you have heard of it), we did pass through Kansas City AND St. Louis. I have a REAL DISTANT pic of the arch. As a bonus, we drove by the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center. That lady is still one of the most amazing athletes in my book.
Tonight, we settled into the hotel and decided to get real gross and order take-out Chinese food. General Tao’s for Cory and Orange Chicken for me. Needless to say, we’re looking forward to getting back on track in less than a week. I’m gonna start peeping Crossfit gyms and Cory is gonna go to work (which is much more strenuous than my hour-long daily Xfit). Feeling sluggish……….MSG……….but the family that owns Asian Star in Marion, IL is SO cute. The kiddos watch cartoons in between customers, but run to the back to grab orders as people arrive. Adorbs.
You guys?!?!?! We only have two full days of driving left in this journey. AND! Each day shows less time on the road. 6.5 hours tomorrow, 5.5 on Sunday. So stoked, but trying to enjoy the time we have cooped up together before Cory starts work and I go back to the grind. ;) Still trying to decide if I should keep up this blog. If I do, it will be at a much slower cadence, but thinking that some people might be interested in what it’s like to PCS or even just start fresh somewhere (good, bad, and ugly). Hmmmmm….thinking it over.
It’s not just the decrease in hours that is getting me excited: 1) We’ll be getting to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN tomorrow (do I hear Dollywood anyone????) and then 2) rolling through Asheville and Morganton to Southern Pines (new home!!!). Fun places with a heck of a lot of good food.
We close on our house on Monday and our belongings are scheduled to arrive on Friday (fingers crossed). Then, it’s all about setting up shop. For the next week, we’ll be sleeping on an air mattress and getting our life together. Ya know, utilities and whatnot. But, at least we’ll be…home.
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On the Radio: Back to a little music. If you’re in this part of the part of the country, turn your dial to 101.9 The Keg. It plays dope old school hits.
- “Dream On” by Aerosmith
- “Backroad Song” by Granger Smith (News reported his little boy passed away yesterday. So tragic. Hoping he has a lot of love surrounding his family today)
- “Invisible Touch” by Phil Collins? or was it Genesis? (I can never tell.)
- “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” by Great White (This is a song that I can most vividly remember my brother, Tim Morton, singing when we were kids.) hahahaha.
Tomorrow: Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I’m super excited about this one because I used to go to cheer camp in Tennessee during the summer as a kid. Meemmmmmorieees!
If you skipped over yesterday, it’s about the realities of road-trippin (mostly uninteresting). Makes you wanna read it, right? Just in case, here’s the link.
