Yesterday I drove 350 miles to Kentucky to retrieve my two older children from their grandparents' gracious hospitality and their aunt's creative entertainment. The drive gave me some time to ponder some things. What a perfect time for Mrs. 4444's Friday Fragments!
- I used to drive long distances by myself. No cell phone. No gps. No passenger. Just me and hundreds and hundreds of miles. Then my life changed and now I drive one square mile a day. Yesterday, when I arrived at my parents' house, I had a blister on the underside of my finger from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. I can't believe it.
- Did you know that US 23 calls itself The Country Music Highway? There have been many big names in country music from a handful of counties here in Eastern Kentucky. Tom T. Hall. Loretta Lynn. Ricky Skaggs. Patty Loveless. And many, many more.
- Last summer I thought I would take my kids to see the tourist attractions surrounding the area's bragging about their country music stars, but in pure East Kentucky style, there isn't much here to see. I think that innocence is pretty nice.
- Steel roofs on houses are a big thing here. The colors are bold blues, reds, and greens. I think I'm starting to like the look. I'd have a white house with a green steel roof. There would be a front porch, of course.
- I think the drive through Detroit is a bother. The drive through Toledo is okay. The drive through Columbus is a little fast. The drive south of Columbus is a frustration. There are a million small towns and each one has its own speed limit. So the travel goes from 55 to 35 to 50 to 60 to 40 to 45 to 35. And those towns? Each one has at least one stop light.
- Why is it that when I make this trip and I look in the rearview mirror and see a car FLYING behind me and then ZOOMING around me, it is always from Michigan?
- My kids always watch the movie, "Nacho Libre," every time we make this trip. I still think it's funny.
- Tonight I will go to the funeral home visitation for my brother-in-law's mom. She was bright, talented, and strong, and she and her wonderful husband raised some mighty fine children.
- Later today, a lady from my parents' church is going to cut my hair. I said I needed a cut. My 8 year old niece then asked about the white part of my hair. Maybe a color is in order, too.
- Sending you all a smile and gentle wave. That is the way they roll here afterall.
19 comments:
I see you didn't go anywhere cooler. Enjoy your time.
I would cherish a road trip like that...in my mind.
I used to drive from The SF Bay Area in CA. to Oregon and back all the time in my younger years. Now I am lucky if I could consider a 50 mile drive!
What is it when we get older?!?
You are so funny...a blister, really? I just love a good road trip. In fact, we are taking one tomorrow morning!
Have a great time and a wonderful weekend. Love you!
I take a LONG road trip every year......13 hours! It's fun for about the first 4 hours, then I'm ready to just be DONE. And I feel your pain about the speed limits. We go from 55 (MD) to 65(VA) and then wooohooo ...75 in TN!!
I love a good road trip, and I'd much rather be by myself than with people who aren't good travelers!
And you reminded me, I need a hair cut. And color.
I'm so not a road trip girl.....I should work on that, eh?
I'm sorry that you're making the road trip for this reason but there's something inherently wonderfully about being on the road.
OK thats it! Next road trip will be to my house and we can sit on my front porch!
My husband loves road trips. I do, too. But only if there are no kids in the car. If there are kids, then someone needs to be sedated. I don't care who.
I laughed so hard about you having a blister on your finger! I don't drive here, so when I go home and can drive I feel the same way *L*
I was just wondering about you today! I had kept up with the journey to KY last week, camp the first part of this week but then my mind began to wonder "where's Caution?".
Alas...I'd forgotten you had to go back and get your children! Good thing you didn't forget, eh?
Guess from here on out, I'll just tend to my own business/schedule!
Wow....I'm envious! I love long solitary drives, for yes, it is a great time to just let the thoughts meander and see where they go.
Enjoy your time in KY again. Sorry to hear of your brother-in-law's mother....peace to everyone. Drive safe going home.
Your comment about the blister cracked me up, Caution :) You know, now that I think of it, I see that same thing around here (Michigan cars), but it's also Illinois. And the hair thing? Too funny! How'd it turn out?
I would like to visit that area one day. With a translator.
When I was at the convention in Florida in January I had 2 customers from Kentucky that were inquiring about buying a headvase from me but I couldn't understand what they were saying. I'm not kidding.
I envy you getting behind a wheel for hours... I'm serious. Of course it's not the same if kids are arguing behind you or throwing balls at the back of your head (did I mention our dvd player died the month after my Hubby left for Iraq?) so I should specify that I envy your trip TO get the kids ;-)
(My family is all from western Ky and yes, I'm as inbred as they come)
I love road trips!! I always get a sense of adventure and I find that my son really opens up and talks to us - especially when we are driving in the dark. Mary Ellen from Adopting M.E. and I did a road trip with another friend when we were in college and it is still one of my favorite memories. The stop and go reminds me of the NJ Turnpike where they have toll booths so close together. It seems like you just back up to speed when you have to slow down again. Frustrating!
Hope your hair came out great!
I love a good road trip. But a blister? No way...and I am recalling a time when my own children asked me why I had so many colors in my hair. Help me.
You've totally given me the road trip bug!
Sorry yours was on the way to a funeral. Best wishes and prayers.
Wishing you safe travels! You will definitely be missed at Blog Fest:) Perhaps there will be pictures...??!!
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