Side Quest: The Journey to Maine

 Still in Orlando...

I, apparently, am all for taking on side quests by request! Received a message saying a cousin of mine helped open up 2 restaurants in the area and did all of the artwork for them. I stopped at the Santiago Bodega in Altamonte Springs area on my way out of Orlando, but they were closed. Not to worry, they let me in before opening so I could explore the restaurant and all of the artwork that was up there. Enjoy this photo dump! All artwork was completed by Robert Thompson.

Very cool place!

I got as far as Fredricksburg, VA the first night, and walked into the hotel with my stuff about 2 seconds before the storm hit. Glad I was finally off the road - that storm had been following me, which caused a beautiful lightning storm for me to view, but the rest of my driving experience was not great. Lasik definitely affected my night vision because I have nothing helping with my astigmatism. Apparently not everyone sees cars like this? In the rain nonetheless? Probably in everyone's best interest I was off the road.

(This is not my pic, but this sure is what it looked like!)

Thought I was getting an early start on the day knowing I had DC and New York to get through, but these are just lies I told myself. 

Hi. I'm in Delaware. (This will never get old)

Let's talk about NYC. Specifically the George Washington Bridge. $17 to cross. Found myself in the hazard truck lane, which is fine except semi truck drivers are NOT empathetic when merging. After the toll, like 8 lanes of traffic merge into 3. With no wiggle room and traffic that wasn't moving. Crazy. Also: it was pouring - I couldn't even see the city. 

12 states in 24 hours. If this child ever questions the love of his mother I shall forever defer him to this blog.

Side Quest Lessons:
1. I will likely never eat a granola bar again. Pretty sure that has been my only meal. So much for low carb days when driving.
2. When you can't figure out the gas pump in Massachusetts, they will ask you if you are from New Jersey and you should just go with it. 
3. A 23 hr drive easily turned into 26 hours courtesy of New York. 26 hours is a long drive. I might be too old for this?
4. I could never drive I-95 again and be ok with it. 
5. Connecticut doesn't believe in merge lanes - it's just more of a punch it short ramp.

Up Next: 
Phase 3: Acadia

🎈

Phase 2: Complete

 Orlando(ish) Florida:

Charlie's volleyball team decided to go to nationals this year in Florida. But before we spent our days in the convention center...

We Disney'd. When I got our tickets, I was also able to get reservations for the Be Our Guest lunch - which was fancy French food.

Queen. Or so she thinks.

While we were able to get on some rides, the lightning did make it more difficult. Although, tea cups right after a FULL meal of Fancy French Food will test your stomach. And reminds me that I have vertigo. Space Mountain was great - but we weren't able to get on Tron: virtual queue only and it was full 8 minutes after opening up. 

We had one day at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. I wish we could have done all of our days here: free parking, smaller space, they didn't check tickets when we came in either. 

It was a tough first day, but they redeemed themselves on day 2 taking 2nd in their pool after a very challenging match to a really good team (they ended up taking us out on day 4). 

Team dinner.

Charlie and I went to the outlet mall one day and got "Dragon's Breath", which was essentially fruit loops in dry ice. Fun treat!

We then had the longest game of pool ever. Twice. 

I was able to spend some much needed time with my Sass - between work and her social life I hardly see her. 

Lessons from Phase 2:

1. Orlando Convention Center is freezing. Unless you are by the garage doors which are literally on fire from the 96 degree heat outside. So, layer up? One side of the center was freezing and the other was blowing heat.

2. Don't worry about getting a place with a pool next time - those girls just wanted to sleep every day!

3. Traffic. Is. Irritating. In. Orlando. Which, for as many times as we have been to Orlando, you'd think I would know this. Yet, here we are. 

4. Playing too much 8 ball on your phone gives you false confidence on how good your pool skills actually are.

5. Try the grey stuff, it's delicious. 

Up next:

Side quest to Maine

🎈

Side Quest: The Journey to Florida

 Side Quest: Still in Ohio...

Not used to traveling solo on these trips. 

Where are my kids?

But when one of your besties is also in Ohio... 

You celebrate. With bacon.

Landed somewhere in Georgia and scored a giant room all to myself. 

Thought I had an early start on my way to Siesta Key. Got through Atlanta, no issues, no traffic.

But guess where I was. 

For hours. 

A side quest from my side quest complete with two side accidents and numerous blocks from state troopers.

Later than I had planned, but I found one child in Florida looking mighty tan already and we settled into our AirBnB for the week. Also picked up a bonus child for the week.

Side Quest Lessons:

1. Your GPS will not tell you when the freeway is blocked or for how far. 

2. Everyone takes a side quest when the freeway is blocked. 

3. When the jets in the pool go on at 10:13pm it does not mean someone is trying to break into the AirBnb. Thank you true crime podcasts for ruining me, but what else was I supposed to listen to for a 17 hr drive?

Up next: Nationals in Orlando

Phase 1: Complete

Summer 2023 

This trip is definitely going to be different... not a big trip with the kids this year, so just a lot of me wandering around the country. With a plan (mostly).

Phase 1: Barb and Jared's Wedding

 Dayton, OH

Hit the road on Friday morning: goal was to depart between 8-9, and we actually left the house before nine. Did I pack Friday morning for a 2 week trip? Yes, yes I did. Weird not having the kids in the car...

We definitely hit some traffic, but managed to check in, shower, and jump right into an Uber to head to dinner.

An Uber where Dan became a social media influencer for an 'independent distributor' of Impact water. 

Fleming's was not prepared for us...

Dessert anyone? Everyone? Sorry about your face, Tom.

We got up and headed to the farmer's market that was walking distance from the hotel. GREAT food!

Don't mind Abe, just making some pottery.

Dan got pooped on.

Pre-wedding festivities

And wait: we were in town for a wedding! Congratulations to Barb and Jared!!

Wedding photo dump!

                                    

Some post-wedding shenanigans...

The one thing Dan asked for (and not a bad breakfast after a wedding):

                                           Back to the market for some rolled ice cream (YUM)

                   We weren't sharing.                

Lessons of Phase 1:

1. Always defer to Urban Dictionary before trying out some new slang.

2. Milkshakes do, in fact, bring Monica to the yard. Also cowboys.

3. When your mom says Grandma doesn't move when she sleeps, she is lying. 

4. Abel snores.

5. Take the scooters, but beware the potholes. 

Up Next: Side quest 

Adventure is out there 🎈

IYKYK