On the Road: Day 1

Mom and I said we were going to hit the road by 8 AM, and, somewhat to my surprise, we actually did.

Mom kind of loved the coffee in the lobby of the Super 8 (Yes, the Super 8 on the side of I-35 - hinting towards ghetto, but still with free wi-fi!). She opted for two cups of it rather than Starbucks. I was planning to drive the first half of the trip, so my usual Starbucks drink was non-negotiable. No offense Super 8.

Yesterday was super rough emotionally. I knew it would be hard to say bye to people over the weekend, but I was kind of surprised at how tough it was to say bye to the place also. And we didn't even drive away until this morning! It definitely hit me yesterday that I am leaving my home, but with a three-day drive ahead of us it hasn't really hit me where my new home is! The middle ground is really unsettling to me, and I'm looking forward seeing Andrew on Saturday.

After listening to the Bobby Bones Show for the last time for now I remembered the CD Sarah made me that was waiting in my purse. I teared up listening to "19 and Crazy" and "If It Wasn't for Texas," and I loved loved loved that the last song was The Eyes of Texas. Great send-off, thanks Miss Sarah.

Lunch options were looking pretty disappointing in Greenville/Sulpher town/wherever we were around 12:30, and then emerged from the trees (or the cluster of McDonalds. McDonaldses?):

I never eat fast food these days, but let's be honest, Braum's is a front-runner. I texted this picture to Kori because I knew she would be jealous. Her response: "UGH! So jealous!" <-- success.

Enter: lazy time. Mom's turn to drive, and my turn to digest Braum's for the next 5 hours.

We started the book on tape that Mom and Kori picked out last week - it's Kristin Hannah, but I don't remember the name of it. 10 seconds after listening to the voice reading the prologue Mom said "I feel like she is about to start talking pornography," which made it hard to concentrate on the story through all of our giggling at descriptions of tall trees and other suggestive things. We composed ourselves and listened to the book for the rest of the trip - I think that only got us through 3 chapters though. I'm interested to keep listening, but I'd like to tell the characters to buck up and grow a spine - really? You're so afraid? Your friend's been dating your brother for a week. It isn't that scary.

Fast forward to Little Rock, Arkansas where we tried two hotels with no available rooms whatsoever, and we ended up at this lovely Hilton Garden place where we had some AH-MAZING salmon at their little restaurant, watched the American Idol result show, and showered as if I have never showered before.

...Actually it was a really rushed shower because Mom said a new episode of The Office was on. I've been saying how the show needs to cancel itself now that Steve Carell will be gone, but I guess placing Will Ferrell in the next 4 episodes is a good move to keep people watching. Well played, well played.

PS - Andrew picks up keys to the new place tomorrow - can't wait to show pictures, we really like it! The date all my crap will arrive with the movers is still pending.

Next stop: Knoxville, TN.