OK, may go back and update these with some more detail later. But, I am tired and watching the playoff game in a Motel 6 is Des Moines, Iowa while Sam is already down for the count (as is Lucy). Just pumped out a quick update of the first few days to get something up. The book on tape for the first part of the drive has been "Lisey's Story" by Stephen King.
ME
Day 1: False Start, Thursday, January 5, 2012
Well, our original intention was to leave sometime this afternoon…
The moving truck came on Monday. It was a success loading that thing. Our driver, Keith, was a big help. We had a lot more stuff that the space would allow if we had packed the thing. Our expert truck driver made sure we got everything in place, though. We are the first load being picked up and the last one to be dropped off. Stuff should arrive the weekend of January 14th.
We had been staying at Dad’s place in Mansassas the past few days after cleaning out the Oakton apartment. I have to admit that I will miss our old apartment. It was Sam and my first place as a married couple and the first place we picked out together. I won’t miss the commute or the ridiculous rent in the area, but there is some nostalgia in that unit.
Took the car in to Dad’s trusted mechanic, Kevin, so we could have the lights looked at and to check on a noise the wheels had been making. Turned out that the past few mechanics to look at the Subaru didn’t really care to take care of it. The back light console had been broken off and part of the under carriage was hanging on with a zip tie. The noise in the wheels turned out to be some bad ball bearings. Kevin was great enough to get some new ones ordered and put in the same day. Anyone in Northern VA, we can’t recommend Complete Auto Care in Manassas enough.
Even after the car issues, we are still feeling good. We locked down a new place to live in Hillsboro! Got a nice price on a 2 bedroom townhouse with an attached garage. It is just a couple miles from work and walking distance to the light rail. We are excited. No rush now that we aren’t trying to find a place before our stuff gets there.
We are taking it easy and leaving tomorrow. Pack the car tonight for a good early start in the morning. [...]
Day 2: 7 States! Friday, January 6, 2012
Got up this morning and said our good byes to Dad. Packed the car last night, so we didn’t have a lot to do to get going. Unlike our last trip, we went to the vet before leaving to get the cats some sleepy pills for the car. Lucy was unbearable when we moved down from Alaska. She got a check up and a prescription about a week and a half ago to help us keep our sanity in the car with her. Gave both cats a happy pill before taking off and they were looking groggy eyed. Naturally, we hadn’t even made it to the freeway this morning before Lucy hurled. The pills worked like a charm though. We had two very quiet cats today.
Our original plan had been to crash somewhere in Ohio last night. Then, get into Chicago fairly early to hang out with my brother, Chris, his wife, Dawn, and their two beautiful girls. Of course, a wrench was thrown into it. We just took off instead today and wanted to see how far we could get. Nice thing about the East is that the states are smaller and you can get through so many in a day. At some point in the day, we were in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. We made it all the way to Chicago. The weather was great and we had plenty of energy on our first day out. All 700 miles today. And it felt like we paid that much in tolls today, too. Good god with the tolls. $12.50 to the state of Pennsylvania for using the interstate. $12.50 to the state of Ohio for using the interstate. $7.50 to the state of Indiana for using the interstate. And another $3.50 to get into Illinois and on the Chicago sky way.
But, we made good time, and it was great to see my brother and his family again. It really helps driving West and gaining an hour crossing the time zones. We hadn’t seen them since the wedding. Chris had some Pad Thai waiting for us and we brought in a bottle of wine. Nice evening socializing with the adults once the kids went to bed. Of course, the girls were allowed to stay up to see us get in. Chris and I were up until almost one catching up. I can tell tomorrow won’t bring as many miles.
Day 3: This definitely is not heaven. It’s Iowa, January 7, 2012
We slept in a bit today. Stuck around in Chicago to socialize some more and have breakfast with everyone. Our cats were surprisingly well behaved during our time here. Thomas just hung out in the kennel. Lucy explored and got along with the kids.
We didn’t get out the door until well after noon. No rush today. Take it easy today and keep up the driving energy for the rest of the trip. Our plan was just to make it across Illinois and to Des Moines (basically the middle of Iowa).
More toll roads! Got railed again to drive through Nowhere, Illinois. The tolls seemed to end once we got close to the Illinois/Iowa border though. This area of the country is flat and redundant. Not a whole lot to see on I80. Made it the 350 miles from Chicago to Des Moines and in time to catch the Saints/Lions playoff game.
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