So, we've been back from vacation for awhile, and I haven't yet posted about it. Well, I would love to say the week was a shocking and wonderful success, but that wouldn't be completely true. It probably should have been a clear warning when, outside of Columbus, OH, the rain that had been plaguing my driving turned into snow and ice in a matter of about fifteen seconds. Luckily, it turned back into rain is just about as short a period of time, but there were a few minutes of "holy crap, I need to slow down NOW, and I'll slide if I use the brake!" We had rain for about the first half of the long drive. Add driving in the dark to the rain, and you can imagine how fun the first hours of the trip were.
Once we got out of the rain and into the mountains, we had snow again. At about 3,200 feet elevation, these are not huge mountains, but they were high enough, and it was cold enough at night, that the ground and trees were covered in snow. At that moment, W. Virginia reminded me of the way Indiana had looked not too long ago. We were supposed to be headed south to WARMER temperatures. What the heck?? Anyway, after the snow, there was fog. Oh, and at some point in there, we had a two hour stop at a rest stop for the drivers to be able to rest and sleep, during which time one of the drivers couldn't sleep anyway. Can you say, "waste of precious time?" We survived the fog, though it was touch and go with people's nerves (everyone but the hubs, of course). He was frustrated most of the drive down because he couldn't drive as fast as he would have liked. At one point he was driving five mph UNDER the speed limit when my mom radioed us that he needed to slow down. I thought I saw a little steam come out of his ears, but that could have been my imagination.
Okay, so after we made it to the island, which was like coming home for my family, we checked in and proceeded to unload luggage at by far the nicest house we have stayed in to date. It was gorgeous and comfortable with flatscreen TV's in each bedroom, updated appliances, a pool, the works. The week progressed about as expected. We visited Poplar Grove Plantation and drove into Wilmington to spend one day visiting the USS North Carolina, the serpentarium (which contained almost every deadly snake known to man), eating ice cream from Kilwin's, and taking a short tour of an active USCG Cutter. As time wore on, so did everyone's nerves. The kids shopped at the local gift shops and we took mom on a brief tour of the southern part of the island. The real drama started on Thursday when mom's hubs, who had been fighting a cough all week, ended up with a temperature over 102. My mom with worry/stress is an emotional ride, but my mom with worry/stress and no sleep is a roller coaster from hell. Friday was not a great day, and I won't belabor the story. I'll just say that by Friday night, my hubs and I were happy to get to have a dinner alone (we left the kids with the other kids and adults) away from the passive-aggressive chaos that was unfolding over their dinner, laundry, and packing.
The drive home proved eventful due to bad weather, again. There was more rain and fog through the W. Virginia and Virginia stretch, and then as it got dark heading into Ohio, the fog only got worse. I was driving at this point, and because I don't see well at night or in fog (and I was dealing with both here), my nerves ended up stretched too tightly. I had to pull off and rest. This is where we hit a major crossroad with the other adults who basically refused to drive a mile further until light came or the fog lifted. It was only about 1:00 am at this point, so my hubs was not stopping now. We were only a few hours from home, so he took the wheel and we continued while the three other adults and two kids (16 and 12) crammed into a Dodge Caliber to sleep and wait.
In the end, everyone made it home okay, and we're still all speaking to each other. We had a nice time while we were there, but I don't think I'll ever convince my mom to make that drive again. Not that I'd ask. Well I would ask, but maybe not for a few years. Hopefully my sister and kids would travel with us again. But, looking at Spring Break 2011 from the rearview, it might be better if my family spent its next vacation alone.
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