I never realized how different folks can be when traveling. I get in the car and drive. I stop when I have to stop and I make it quick. Chad, Nicole and Addie . . oh, my . . a 9 hour drive took 12 hours.
First, Chad knows I cannot drive on scary, curvy roads along the edges of mountains. Understand that Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas mountains are not mountains to some but to this southwest Louisiana girl . . a hill to some is a mountain to me. Chad said he would drive from Missouri through Arkansas into Oklahoma and across the Red River, then I could have my car back and he would ride with Nicole.
Second, I told him I cannot drive after dark. No problem . . he would drive my car once it got dark but . . since we left at 7 a.m., we should have arrived at our destination before dark. Nope, that didn’t happen.
So . . we left MO at 7 a.m., right on schedule. Stopped in southern MO at a McDonald’s and had breakfast . . . sat inside and ate instead of eating in the car while traveling. Then Chad took an extremely curvy road through the Ouachita Mountains. Then we took a drive through Beaver’s Bend State Park. Then we stopped at a very slow, but very good restaurant for lunch. Then we got caught by the longest train ever . . which was at a complete stop for at least 20 minutes. Finally, after seeing people turn around and go down a side road, I called Chad and told him that I was going to try that. They didn’t trust me so they continued to sit. I got around the train so I called them back and told them I was going to drive 20 miles to the next town and get gas. I got gas, called them back and she said the train was moving. I told them I would drive slow and they could catch up to me. I didn’t want to impede traffic so I pulled into a parking lot and waited about 20 minutes for them.
We ended up getting to the hotel at 7:30 p.m. Yes, I was driving in total darkness for at least 2 hours – two lane roads, curvy, narrow, hilly and unfamiliar.
I have lots of pictures but my phone is totally drained (as am I!).
Tomorrow, we get up and finish our trip . . to my aunt’s memorial service.
Another long day but at least it isn’t all day driving.
Sherrill Pecere says
I LOVE Beaver’s Bend! So pretty! For me, it depends on how I drive. When I used to make the trip from Pagosa to DFW, I hit the road, drove til gas was required and that was a pit stop/snack stop as well, then repeated til I got to my destination. If it’s 3-4 hours, I might dilly dally a little. I don’t mind bridges or curves but HATE after dark driving (cause you can’t see what’s out there til it’s right in front of you!). Glad Chad et al are driving along with you.
Diane in CA says
Apparently you CAN drive on curvy, hilly, scary roads in the dark..! Great lesson for Addie to see Grandma kicking butt through the scary stuff.. !!
Eileen Eisner says
That Chad!! At least he didn’t lead you over any bridges!! Or did he? :>}
cassews says
I agree with Diana in CA ; gotta show how to get over fears in front of the grands and not let the fears get to you. The sigh heavily when you get to the motel/hotel. Been there done that with the fears in front of the grands …