Welcome to our blog! We've officially started our epic road trip, but went straight to family for the holidays, so… not officially 'on the road yet.' For now, just giving the highlights, before we forget, and then we'll start filling in some of the background. And we'll start keeping more updated posts for all the friends and family out there wondering where we are, how we are, and have we got arrested yet?
11.13.2010
Day of Departure.
It took us all day to finish up the last minute packing, organizing, and shutting down of the house, but we were able to leave Pulaski on our scheduled departure day. We put everything in the basement, locked up the doors, said goodbye to 23 Windcrest, hopped into the RV and got the Hell out of Dodge, in our Ford. We left at 7.30 pm, filled up the gas tank ($145.00!), drove through an uneventful night, and reached Cleveland, Ohio, at 4.30am. We survived off of supplies from the survival kit from Carrie and Mike. Parked in Mom's Sisters' driveway, watered the dog, and passed out.
Soundtrack: Dvorak (New World Symphony) and NPR podcasts of Studio 360.
11.14.2010
Nicole's Birthday!
Woke up at sunrise because we were too tired to pull the blinds down before passing out at 4.30am and found Maggie, the Bloodhound, biting our tires. She does that.
We were welcomed in by Mom's sister Diane, her husband Jim and daughter Lizzy. Son Jimmy was away at college. After a hot breakfast, Sister and Neighbor Deborah came over with her husband Gary and kids Joseph and Maria. Spent the day lounging and chatting and recovering from the manic packing spree. After a great family dinner, Nicole's 30th birthday was celebrated with a handmade chocolate cake in the shape of the United States, with our planned route highlighted in sprinkles. Alaska was a brownie. Hawaii a collection of coffee beans. Joseph made a paper RV that sat proudly atop the cake. Nicole was presented with her birthday gifts… 6 bottles of wine, 1 pack of single serve wine, and 1 pack of premixed Kahlua and Creams.
Soundtrack: The Beatles (The Say It's Your Birthday). Obviously.
11.15.2010 - 11.22.2010
Long Stay in Cleveland
Highlights: Trip to the Cleveland West Side Market. Lunch at Melt. Dinner at Russo's (a chef trained at Brennan's, New Orleans). Many family meals. Fine tuning the RV - thanks to many electrical upgrades and lock work by Jim. Pitch games! Cousin Lizzy's 16th Birthday. Joseph's Marching Band concert.
Our favorite event was selected by Maria for girls' night out. We went to the Cleveland Roller Derby! (We are trying to see as much of America as possible!) It was a blast - especially Musical Chairs on Wheels!
Soundtrack: Maria Maldaur (I've Got a Brand New Pair of Rollerskates)
11.23.2010
Drive to Chattanooga (12 hours)
Cincinnati - Lexington - Knoxville (two hours sleep) - Random rest stop (two more hours sleep) - Chattanooga!
