There and Here

Chance and I survived his 20 year reunion, and the beach is going well.  We had two whole days to ourselves, and it was extremely odd, just getting up and doing things I wanted to do.  I wanted  to go to the beach, so I just went--I didn't have to make sure anyone went potty, or pack snacks, or rub lotion on people who hate lotion. I wanted to go to the grocery store, and I didn't have to figure out which subset of kids would be least unhelpful. For this relaxation time, I owe my Judimom, who took the kids so we could have a break.

Cotton is getting over her hatred of sand and waves, which is good.  We're all enjoying the beach and eating far too much macaroni and cheese. It was 10 boxes for a dollar at the Winn Dixie. Part of the fun of vacation is that I get to go to the Winn Dixie, which is just fun to say. And last time I went, there was a thunderstorm and the power went out briefly.  I think if the power goes out and you're in a grocery store, you should get your groceries free.

The water has been pretty rough compared to other visits so far--only red and yellow flags.  The kids are bodysurfing and getting the hang of catching a wave just right. No jellyfish, yay!

Here and There

Now that we're here and I've had two showers and food that didn't come from a drive through window, I can file a brief report regarding the advisibility of driving 800 miles with three kids, two being unable to entertain themselves.

Just don't.

If I didn't know I was going to get to go to a beautiful beach, I would have turned around shortly after Tyler.  When I realized I'd missed the second of the five important turns of the entire trip.  It's difficult to focus on the driving when you've got yowling, crabbing and pouting aimed at the back of your head.  Of those 5 turns, I only made one on the first try. One.

I also didn't even get out of Austin for nearly two hours (if you're counting Round Rock as Austin, which a lot of people do. Normally I don't, but it makes for a more dramatic effect here.), because they'd shut down the first road we needed--I35.  It had opened about an hour before I got on it, so what I thought a a brief bit of leftover morning traffic turned into a slow moving cocoon of 18-wheelers that lasted long enough for me to consider calling a do-over and trying again the next day.

Then we got to our traditional stop point, Monroe. Generally we stay right off the interstate, and visit the zoo in the morning before heading on.  I get to the hotel, and notice a school bus, and think, "Hm. I wonder if it will be noisy."  This isn't what I should have been thinking, as you'll shortly realize.  Faster than I did, I bet.  I ask for a room with two beds, and am told that all they have is smoking.  I picture the kids complaining about the smell for hours, and decide to try next door at the other hotel.  The one that seems to have a softball team in the parking lot.  When I get to the desk, I'm behind two men, who are asking about another hotel down the road.  I still don't twig to the problem I am about to face.  They leave, and the woman at the desk answers the phone while I wait.  She begins what is clearly a personal call while I stand there. I decide to plow on ahead and just speak over her, asking, "Do you have any rooms with two beds?" "Oh, we don't have any availability at all."

Finally, I see the problem and run to the car to scoot back to Hotel #1.  Just in time to see the salesmen from Hotel #2 get the smoking room with two beds.  The last smoking room with two beds.

We'd been in the car for 7 hours at that point.  I think about the zoo, and the long stretch of nothing between Monroe and Vicksburg.  And my brain just froze.  So I ask the kids--stay or go?

They vote go. So we slap The Muppet Show in the DVD player and press on.  We got to the hotel in Vicksburg about 9:30pm, 12 hours after setting off for errands in the morning, and more than 500 miles from where we left.  The last two hours were the best driving--everyone happy, pretty sunset and then a hotel with rooms.  And Dominos delivery. 

The next day was a snap. How could it not be? A dragon could have tried to eat the car and it would have been simpler.

Fun and Funnies

Summer Fun

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