It’s the big finish – Woo Hoo! In case you missed it, here are parts 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Be sure and check out Se7en’s blog cause he has his own version of the trip AND he was the one with the camera!
Where was I? Oh right, I left you in Memphis. Anyway, I think I skipped Arkansas. Which was probably on purpose as it was not my favorite state, (although the people were really nice.) And I must admit I did have a major fondness for a Super 8 motel that was not only dog friendly but had an actual dog run. OK, so it was a big patch of grass but still! I also had my first Waffle House meal there, making me a fan for life. All right, enough disclaimers, I am still not a big fan of Arkansas. Boring scenery, too many 18 wheelers, and endless construction. Anyway, as we were driving through we hit a major flash flood. When I say major I mean the kind where you can’t see two feet in front of you and it’s scary as hell to be driving. I was behind the wheel and I finally had to pull off the road for a bit until it eased up. We were all nervous, especially Ally da Pup. She hates two things, the car and thunderstorms. Talk about a double whammy for the poor baby! We finally got back on the road but it still wasn’t great driving. At that point we stopped at McDonalds for some food. We took turns going in to get food and do our thing. Se7 went first and then it was my turn. I decided to sit in the backseat with the pup to calm her down. She promptly put most of her body across my lap. Se7 drove as I ate my burger with one hand, and cuddled Ally with the other. Sigh.
We were all happy to get to Memphis and get out of the damn car!
The next morning I ate at my first truck stop. The motel, (although clean,) was kinda in a crappy location and there was a truck stop right next door. Se7 convinced me we could get a good meal there and off we went. The food was quite tasty! I had oatmeal and sausages, Se7 had homemade biscuits, eggs and bacon. All prepared by one highly overworked short order cook. I thought it was funny that there were a whole lot of guys giving me a “what the hell is this woman doing here?” look. I was surprised at how many healthy choices were on the menu as well. I guess it makes sense when you’re sitting all day you don’t always want fattening food. Plus a lot of the truckers were middle aged so I’m sure they have to watch their cholesterol. Afterwards we wandered around. They had showers, Chinese massage, and a store that sold everything from electric stoves to dvd players. Who knew?!
Around Nashville, we got off I-40 and took a different route. We wanted to see a different part of the country without spending a lot of extra time in the car. Plus there was a blogger we both wanted to see. Off we drove through Kentucky via the Blue Grass Parkway. What beautiful country! All those gorgeous rolling hills and lush green scenery. The whole state looked like one big picture postcard. It was so stunning you almost took it for granted after a while. The best line was when I said, “Se7, you’ve got to see this panorama coming up, it’s amazing!” His response? “Eh, you seen one panorama, you’ve seen them all.” We laughed very hard.
Next stop, West Virginia. Not too shabby in the scenery stakes as well! And we finally met our friend, the lovely Nanner. She headed out to our Holiday Inn Express with her charming son, Nate. I went to take Ally for a quick walk and ran smack dab into both of them coming out of the elevator. I knew them right away and I think they knew me! It was like meeting an old friend although it was my first time, (Se7 had met Nanner when she came through New Orleans a few years back.) We had a delicious meal and then went to Nanner’s house. She had a terrible fire last year and has been rebuilding ever since. What a tragedy for her, especially since she lost so many precious possessions AND several of her beloved cats. Anyway I’m happy to report the house looked wonderful, and it was so great to see all the progress in person! What a fun evening that ended much too soon, (Se7 and I had driven an extra long amount to make up for our play day in Memphis and we were exhausted.)
We had a hard time getting going the next day as the fatigue was catching up with us. We finally hit the road knowing we were going to see New York that night. More driving, and while the scenery was beautiful we were anxious to get there already. About an hour out of New York, we told the pup that she was almost at “Ally’s house.” She was so excited! It was practically the first time the whole trip that she looked at us as we drove. She usually had her face buried in the back cushions, or against her teddy bears. Or both. Poor baby. We hit some traffic at the George Washington Bridge but finally got through it. Se7 was thrilled since we were on the upper level and you can see much of the city. He had coincidentally just seen a documentary about the bridge and told me lot of fun trivia. We finally drove to my street and thanked our higher powers since we found parking in front of my building. I was beyond jazzed as the last thing I wanted to do was drive around the block for an hour. I parked the car and turned it off as Ally danced in the back seat. That was one happy pup as she finally walked on “her” street. I was too tired to dance but I knew how she felt! We let her do bidness, unloaded the car, and went upstairs. We then decided to go to a local diner as I had no food in the apartment. As we walked out the door it started to rain. Whew, dodged that bullitt!
We had a bite to eat, came home and collapsed. Ally was already passed out in her bed sleeping very hard. We weren’t too far behind her.
To recap: we drove 3000 miles roundtrip, spent 2.5 days in the car each way with a tranquilized unhappy dog, experienced only one major fight, saw gorgeous scenery, ate fattening food, met cool bloggers, hung out at Elvis’s place, and had one hell of a good time! Maybe we’ll even do it again sometime.
The End.
It was wonderful meeting you and Ally da Pup and seeing Se7en again. Having company is so rare for me but since the fire I’ve tried to change that. Thanks for taking time out of your trip to visit with me and Nate at Casa Peach. Hopefully the next visit will last longer.
sounds like a fab trip, though it’s true what Dorothy said, isn’t it – there’s no place like home.
Well; haven’t y’all had quite the adventure! I’ve read about the whole trip and you guys are brave. I also hate driving in rain, espcially the really hard kind where even when you slow way down and have rain-x on the windshield you still can’t see a thing. Also, how have you managed to live this long without Waffle House?! Middle Son dreams of opening the first WH in New Orleans and heads straight there as soon as he gets back to Atlanta for a visit. Finally, I have always had that same experience meeting blog friends in *real* life. It’s like seeing a life long friend. Hoping Ally is settling in back home. *sophmom heads off to se7en’s place for more*
Welcome back, honey!
Sounds like you’ve got the foundation for a real life story to put on the big screen.
Especially that ‘magical moment’ when you guys finally pulled up to your building after a long trip, and found a parking place RIGHT IN FRONT.
Doesn’t that kind of parking karma in NYC only happen in movies when a space has been cleared in-advance?
I caught up on most of….so Lisa? When is there going to be a movie about this??
Glad you’re back and settled in now
Hey Lisa: This was such a great Travelogue. It’s hard to imagine anyone along on this journey who wasn’t laughing (except Ally Da Pup, but she really was iimpressive to me)! Great photos from Se7en! A road trip that rocked!
I loved Arkansas. Then again I hit there after driving through western Texas and Oklahoma and was just thrilled to see greenery. I haven’t gone through Kentucky or West Virginia but would imagine both to be picturesque based on my experience of driving up 81 from Tennessee.
I am sure that Ally is elated to be home, much like Natasha would be.
@ Nanner: Very mutual, my friend! Next time we’ll play longer, or you’ll come to da city?
@ Kathryn: Dorothy has indeed got it right!
@ Sophmom: It was quite a fun time! As for Waffle House? You don’t know what you’re missing until you have it
@ Annie: I know! That parking karma will probably never happen again lol.
@ Slick: We will see
@ Michael: Thanks! It really was a blast. I THINK Ally has forgiven me
@ Dagny: West Texas and Oklahoma will do that to you! LOL! I’ve heard parts of Arkansas are really pretty but I think we were at the wrong end of the state.
Wow – that was quite an adventure. Sounds like it was fun and exhausting…must be nice to be home …
Nothing like a roadtrip, indeed… But its always so nice to finally be back among familiar surroundings!
You missed New York! I know you did!
I’m always too scared to do road trips. Don’t know why. Admire all that you crammed in here, wow!
You managed to make me want to go to Arkansas.
Okay, not really. But almost.
That’s one hell of a road trip. Don’t know if I could do that drive in 2.5 days, but I’ve done it in my younger days (Orlando to Saratoga Springs in that amount of time). Sounds like a great time. I’d love to meet Nanner in person as well. One of these days.
@ Janet: It was and it is!
@ Mizmell: I agree!
@ mb: I missed NY a lot
As for road trips, I’m not sure I would have done all that I did if Se7en hadn’t been there!
@ GW: Piffle
@ Vince: It was about 10 or 11 hours in the car every day. Sure made for a long day but it was still a fun trip.
You know, reading about your trip has given me a super big craving for Southern food. I need biscuits in sausage gravy right now. Anyway, glad you had a fun time.
I want biscuits and gravy now too!!
Oh, and what’s a Waffle House?
Luuuurve the Blue Grass Parkway. Stunning view, isn’t it?
So glad you are home safe and sound!
Welcome home! What a journey!
It’s cool you got to experience a truck stop; the only way we can truly get out of ourselves is to place ourselves in something so not “us” — and change our perceptions about what it’s about.
Now, go take that pup for a long walk and a special treat …
That was an excellent adventure!
Can’t wait for you to do it again in my direction
that is one hell of a trip. I’ve never drive farther than like 6-7 hours, and even THAT was exhausting!!
You’re back! Kewl, so am I! but dang, I didn’t get to go anywhere!