On the Road

Well, this is an experiment in mobile blogging from the road, so forgive any formatting irregularities. The Great (North) American Family Roadtrip is underway, and we are zipping up I-81 into Virginia. Pretty country!

We set out yesterday morning, and though it makes me THAT mom, I have to crow over how amazing the kids were all day. We haven't driven more than a couple of hours at a stretch in years, so I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, Patrick and I argued more than the boys did, and that was for all of two minutes (over some minor point of automotive safety.)

We got into Knoxville, Tennessee in time for supper and a swim. Patrick's best friend from college brought his family and joined us. They hadn't seen each other in 20 years. I'm already thinking of this as the vacation brought to us by Facebook. Several items on our itinerary are owed to renewed connections there.

Remember how fun hotels were when you were a kid? Give them a swimming pool and a luggage cart, and it's as good as Six Flags. "Swim their hinies off," a veteran road warrior mom advised me. Great advice: they were asleep moments after lights out.

We're so far managing to eat reasonably healthy. Lunches and snacks are out of the cooler. Patrick teased me for all my list making of the past few weeks, but this morning he chivalrously ate his hat, marvelling over how well our little ship is run. Example: our clothes are packed, one day's worth at a time, in giant, numbered ziploc bags, stowed in the clamshell rooftop carrier. At check-in, we just grab that bag, and return it as laundry in the morning.

It's bound to all go to hell at some point, but so far, we're wondering why we don't just live on the road.

Okay, the pilot just announced that I am missing some tremendous scenery. Next stop: Pennsylvania.
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