Or is it westward, ho?So yesterday we finally hit the road. I was woken up by the thunderstorm at 5:30 and assumed everyone else was, too, so I got up and started preparing for departure. Sadly, that was not the case.
We had no end to the problems of getting our new trailer hooked up and turned down the driveway. I’d say it was a comedy of errors, but it was more like a hysterical hours-long rage-filled spastic fit of errors. Liz says she wishes we had filmed the entire process in grainy black-and-white, sped it up, and had some old-timey piano music to play over it. I assume it goes without saying that we lost a few square feet from the flower gardens. We finally left Victor at 10:30 am.
As we reached the Thruway entrance four miles from home, Izzie looked around and asked “Are we in Alaska yet?”
We got to the outskirts of Toledo at about 6:00 last night, and setting up the first night was almost as much fun as our departure. The power cord that runs everything was actually tied in a knot deep in the bowels of the camper. Dad had to get out tools and disassemble the port while I was setting other things up.
The best part of yesterday was that Grandma Gowman came down to visit us
and stayed out at the campfire with us until almost 11pm. The kids were very happy to see her, and had a great time playing with her. We all enjoyed what is sure to be one of only a few campfires we can have on this trip, and got to roast marshmallows while gazing at the stars. We were all saying that despite the hardships of the day, sitting around that fire put us firmly in vacation mode, and the thoughts and stress of work were already feeling like a vanishing memory.
But yesterday’s final hilarity was Liz, Gabe, and Alex going to see Transformers in Toledo…. And taking Izzie’s pull-ups, blankie, and Molly the Dolly with them until nearly midnight. At least she got to see the stars!
So thank goodness that yesterday is behind us and we can get on to relaxing, starting with a nice relaxing ride in the car. Liz is driving and I get to blog and everything is good and vacation is upon us at last…
Except that Dad just accidentally went over the world’s steepest train tracks ten minutes into our drive at approximately 94.835 miles per hour, and the bike rack on the back of the RV has broken. (sshhhhhhh... he's kind of upset about it... don't bring it up...) My beloved Kona is hanging on for dear life… We’re heading for Home Depot right now to try to effect repairs. But at least we get to see more of Toledo, Ohio. It’s lovely this time of year.
UPDATE 12:30 pm: Okay so we made it to Home Depot, but then realized that the bike rack couldn’t be fixed. So we headed for a bike shop. But the Garmin Nuvi GPS sent us into a wildlife preserve instead. So we got the bike rack installed and headed back to the Ohio turnpike. But the Garmin Nuvi GPS sent us into a neighborhood gold course instead. But now we’re heading in the right direction.
UPDATE 1:10 pm: So the Nuvi sent us one way and the road signs sent us the other. Mom and Dad followed the Nuvi (hah! suckers) and Liz and I followed the road signs. And the Nuvi was right. So we had to stop to turn around now that Mom and Dad are 10 miles west of us, and we decided to make some quick adjustments since the trailer was riding funny.
UPDATE 1:14 pm: Liz just ran a red light.
UPDATE 1:21 pm: We are at the Toledo Airport, and are now entering the Ohio Turnpike. We are now SW of Toledo, and even if we have more fun later, we will be away from Toledo. God, how I hate Toledo.
Man, if only I had Twitter.
Did I mention that Liz and I forgot to bring our atlas?
We hope you enjoy our little blog this summer… By the time you read this, we’ll be in scenic Milton, Wisconsin.
We had no end to the problems of getting our new trailer hooked up and turned down the driveway. I’d say it was a comedy of errors, but it was more like a hysterical hours-long rage-filled spastic fit of errors. Liz says she wishes we had filmed the entire process in grainy black-and-white, sped it up, and had some old-timey piano music to play over it. I assume it goes without saying that we lost a few square feet from the flower gardens. We finally left Victor at 10:30 am.
As we reached the Thruway entrance four miles from home, Izzie looked around and asked “Are we in Alaska yet?”
We got to the outskirts of Toledo at about 6:00 last night, and setting up the first night was almost as much fun as our departure. The power cord that runs everything was actually tied in a knot deep in the bowels of the camper. Dad had to get out tools and disassemble the port while I was setting other things up.
The best part of yesterday was that Grandma Gowman came down to visit us
and stayed out at the campfire with us until almost 11pm. The kids were very happy to see her, and had a great time playing with her. We all enjoyed what is sure to be one of only a few campfires we can have on this trip, and got to roast marshmallows while gazing at the stars. We were all saying that despite the hardships of the day, sitting around that fire put us firmly in vacation mode, and the thoughts and stress of work were already feeling like a vanishing memory.But yesterday’s final hilarity was Liz, Gabe, and Alex going to see Transformers in Toledo…. And taking Izzie’s pull-ups, blankie, and Molly the Dolly with them until nearly midnight. At least she got to see the stars!
So thank goodness that yesterday is behind us and we can get on to relaxing, starting with a nice relaxing ride in the car. Liz is driving and I get to blog and everything is good and vacation is upon us at last…Except that Dad just accidentally went over the world’s steepest train tracks ten minutes into our drive at approximately 94.835 miles per hour, and the bike rack on the back of the RV has broken. (sshhhhhhh... he's kind of upset about it... don't bring it up...) My beloved Kona is hanging on for dear life… We’re heading for Home Depot right now to try to effect repairs. But at least we get to see more of Toledo, Ohio. It’s lovely this time of year.
UPDATE 12:30 pm: Okay so we made it to Home Depot, but then realized that the bike rack couldn’t be fixed. So we headed for a bike shop. But the Garmin Nuvi GPS sent us into a wildlife preserve instead. So we got the bike rack installed and headed back to the Ohio turnpike. But the Garmin Nuvi GPS sent us into a neighborhood gold course instead. But now we’re heading in the right direction.
UPDATE 1:10 pm: So the Nuvi sent us one way and the road signs sent us the other. Mom and Dad followed the Nuvi (hah! suckers) and Liz and I followed the road signs. And the Nuvi was right. So we had to stop to turn around now that Mom and Dad are 10 miles west of us, and we decided to make some quick adjustments since the trailer was riding funny.
UPDATE 1:14 pm: Liz just ran a red light.
UPDATE 1:21 pm: We are at the Toledo Airport, and are now entering the Ohio Turnpike. We are now SW of Toledo, and even if we have more fun later, we will be away from Toledo. God, how I hate Toledo.
Man, if only I had Twitter.
Did I mention that Liz and I forgot to bring our atlas?
We hope you enjoy our little blog this summer… By the time you read this, we’ll be in scenic Milton, Wisconsin.
UPDATE 9:55 PM: We have arrived in Milton, Wisconsin, and it appeared for a short time that the Four Horsemen had arrived just ahead of us and the world was about to end. Fortunately, all we got was a bit of rain and a spectacular light show and a lovely double rainbow, and the rest missed us. This... was a day.
Oh! By the way Brian, can you just help me turn on the lights and set up two or three microphones? Thanks.
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Hi Mark.....Jill here, remember me? (Brian's sidekick in the library for 5 yrs)
ReplyDeleteI have access to your trip blog through Brian's, and I just want you to know how much I am enjoying your commentary!! I've been sitting here laughing out loud! I think it is SO cool that your families get together and do this. I've been to many of the places you've visited and treasure those memories.
Enjoy your trip and I'll have fun reading about it!
Jill Jean
Sorry dude. Retired. I am nowhere near the blogger you are... LOL x6
ReplyDelete