Carolina / Columbus

sofas and a fireplace @ Wendy's

 

Already time to head for home...

Up at 7am. David and Anita already up. Enjoyed a quick cup of coffee ahead of my run. Took my time enjoying coffee, David and I watching some of the British Open, the last round already underway.
Headed out for my run near 730-745am.
Decided to run the opposite direction on Rockbridge, out towards Bird Island. Ran about 1.25 miles before turning around and then diverting out to Bird Island. Ran down to the back entrance to Mindy's purple lake house. Not nearly as attractive from the road. Ran the other direction, too, though not all the way. Back out to Rockbridge.
Took another off-shoot, Little Point. Ran down about 3/4 of the way until two dogs came out seemingly interested in a one way relationship. :)
Headed back to the lake house. Glad I finally went the other way.
David was making breakfast again, a breakfast sandwich. Before enjoying one, I took Mindy coffee then got a shower.
Afterwards, I packed all my stuff for the trip home.
Enjoyed breakfast with the others. Mindy wasn't hungry.
Watched golf for about an hour or so, relaxing and chatting.
David made us a picture CD to take home. Lots of great action photos with his Canon Rebel and 100mm-400mm zoom lens.
Mindy showered then packed her stuff. Didn't take long to get our stuff organized. It was the kids stuff that took the longest. Glad Mindy dealt with all that.
While she did that I put the water skis and wakeboard back in the Thule. Didn't use either.
Mindy finally woke the kids, who were slow to motivate.
Didn't take long at all to load the Pilot for home.
Before leaving, we did the ceremonial picture pose on David & Anita's front stoop using a tripod and self-timer feature.
Hugs goodbye. I hate goodbyes.
Pulled out of the lake house at 1112am.
Somehow we missed our preferred route to I-77. Ended up finding it after going 18 miles but entered on exit #41 instead of #48 like we've done all other times coming and going. Oh well. No biggie.
I talked about filling up at the gas station at the entrance ramp at exit #48. There weren't any at exit #41. We still had just under half a tank. Figured we could make it north of Charlotte where we could refuel, have lunch, and possibly avoid a 2nd stop for gas for the entire drive home.
First 100 miles went super fast. Generally the slowest part of any trip, this time the first 100 miles went super fast. Hit a significant slow down around 120 miles. Took 20 minutes to go just 3 miles. Jam was due to single lane merge at an overpass.
Exited for lunch and fuel at exit 82 in Jonesville, North Carolina. I believe it's the same exit where Mindy and I stopped for lunch on our way home last trip (June).
Lunched at the newly remodeled Wendy's complete with sofas and a fireplace. How about that! I tried the new pretzel bun burger. Good.
All totaled, our break for gas and food lasted about an hour. No biggie. We'd drive about 155 miles of the 505 mile trip.
I asked Mindy to drive from there. I was tired and needed to relax before heading back to work on Monday, which was already causing me to stress. Very depressing thinking about heading back to the grind, though we had one heck of a two week adventure.
I dosed two or three times but only briefly. Still, the drive goes even faster from the passenger seat, which is a perspective or opportunity I don't often get.
Mindy managed to scare me shitless more than once as we wound through the mountains of Virginia and W.V. Asked more than once for her to dial back away from the truck in front of us.
Crossed the state line into Ohio near 645pm.
Once near Jackson Ohio, Mindy called Gloria to let her know that we were about an hour out. We planned a stop there to pick-up the pug.
The last two legs across I-35 and then US 23 N went quick. Arrived at Gloria's near 815pm.
Visited for just a handful of minutes before loading up the pug, her toys, bed and food.
Mindy promised the kids a quick stop at the Taco Bell drive-thru on Wilson Rd. I didn't want anything. For me, it 's time to get back to eating healthy. Can feel the vacation bulge.
Home by 9pm.
The first thing I noticed was our ridiculously long grass. It was lush and green though.
I also noticed how tattered our pentunias are. Caught a baby rabbit eating last Tuesday when we got home from boating. They've managed to eat even more over the last 4 days. Pisses me off!
Mindy reviewed the plan before we pulled in the driveway. Everybody needed to help carry in all of our gear before they could eat their Taco Bell.
Took not even five minutes.
While they all ate, I feverishly unpacked and put away all of my stuff. Didn't waste a minute.
I was completely unpacked and organized for Monday morning's return to work by 940pm.
Without discussing it, I filled a glass with ice water then slipped off to bed. Tuned into the tail end of an episode of Family Guy and then one of Big Bang.
Mindy joined me just as Big Bang began.