My baby brother, Michael, has safely arrived in Utah. He drove the 2,164 miles by himself over four days, stopping in Cleveland, OH on Sunday night and in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday.
The travel bug in my thinks this whole adventure sounds like so much fun. Driving across America! Seeing the sights! I have to admit, I've always loved roads like Route 80 and I-95 that span thousands of miles. On bright sunny days in high school, I used to get the urge to just hop on Route 80 and keep driving. Not because I wanted to run away, but just because the whole idea that I could just head out on one road and evenutally end up in California enchants me. When Jenny and I drove from the Fort Lauderdale airport to Miami beach in the spring, I couldn't help but squeal as we got on 95. I mean, it's the same road I drive on to go to the mall at home! Isn't that cool?
On the other hand, taking this kind of road trip alone sounds sort of boring. I've been known to succumb to highway hypnosis on the simple three and a half hour trip from Baltimore to New Jersey, so much so that I actually missed my exit on the Turnpike on one occasion. (That was followed by a panicked phone call to my dad because OMG WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EXIT TEN? HELP DADDY, I DON'T WANT THE HOLLAND TUNNEL TO EAT ME ALIIIIIVE!) And sitting in the car for that long without the ability to sit Indian-style or stretch out on the back seat periodically would probably leave me on the side of the road with a sign that says "WILL WORK FOR ADVIL". So I guess I will just continue to live vicariously through my little brother for this particular adventure.
So, way to go, Michael! Here's to hoping for lots of snow.
I'll take the tour de I-95 with you!
Posted by: Laurel | Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 04:56 PM
Wow, yeah, that would definitely be rough on your own! Colby and I drove from Louisiana to Washington twice, and it was so much fun stopping along the way to see the sites and seeing the country go by.
Good luck to your brother :)
Posted by: Angela | Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 05:49 PM
Wow, that is a long drive to do by yourself! Tim's dad is in the midst of the Atlanta-Colorado Springs drive, which takes him about three days. This will be the second time he's done it, and he and Tim's mom will be driving back after Christmas. Except Tim's dad will still have to drive the whole way because Tim's mom doesn't do Interstate driving. That right there is a lot of driving for one person.
Hope your brother's adventures in Utah are well worth the trip! I'm sure he'll have a great time!
Posted by: Audrey | Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 06:55 PM
Brooks and I drove from PA to Wyoming one summer in college. It was such a fun adventure for the two of us. At the end of the summer we drove seperatly from WY to TN a week apart. I actually loved doing it by myself too.
Posted by: Stephanie | Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 10:29 AM
Shyze, Des Moines to SLC is one hella long day! I drove Salt Lake to Omaha in August in one day, and it's almost a thousand miles (plus a time change NOT in my favor)... hello LONG! DAY!
Glad he made it here safely.
xox
Posted by: heidikins | Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 12:20 PM
I'm glad he made it safely.
I hate road trips, but I appreciate that I'm in the minority.
Also, I just got this e-mail from my dad:
"No sun today... rain turning to snow. We will have a white Christmas. I hope to pull kids in the sled."
I'm thinking Michael will be happy!
Posted by: Isabel | Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 01:43 PM
I've driven across country twice. It was amazing. I'd highly recommend it.
Posted by: Keri | Friday, December 21, 2007 at 01:20 PM