Here's my top 5 stretches of road we encountered on our 3,300-mile odyssey from Corvallis to Gloucester.
5) The entrance way to a rest area near some remote I-80 outpost in Wyoming. I think I had to go since Utah. You try holding it that long.
4) The parking lot of the KFC in Waynesboro, Va. , after something like 520 miles of driving, with another 170 or so to go. I pulled into the KFC and the kids in the van let out a rousing cheer. You should have seen the look on the faces of the gals behind the counter when we rolled in like the incoming tide. "Yes, we are one family," I said. "And hungry. I hope you got some fried chicken ready, because I wouldn't want to be you breaking the news to this crowd that they're going to have to wait a few minutes to eat."
3) The ribbon of highway that cuts through the craggy cliffs and pine forests -- with a Rocky Mountain backdrop -- in Colorado where it drops down into Fort Collins from Laramie, Wyo. Gorgeous. Just plain gorgeous.
2) Highway 26 from Prineville to Unity. Pine forests, mountain streams, lush meadows, gorges, snow-capped peaks, big sky, little cowboy hamlets short on population but long on character ... can't beat it as far as I'm concerned.
1) That stretch of concrete in front of the garage at 7258 Jeanne Drive in Gloucester, Va. Not a prettier sight all trip. And that's saying something.
We arrived home about 8 o'clock Thursday night after 11 1/2 hours of hard riding from Brentwood. We were greeted by a paint-scraping rainstorm. In southwest Virginia we drove through counties that were under a tornado watch. It's good to be home, I tell you and feel like even the elements are out in force to greet us. I can't tell you the last time I drove under a tornado watch in Oregon. (Editor's note: Let me help you out: Never. Author's reply: I knew that.) Within minutes of getting in the house, the little boys' room was covered with toys. I couldn't walk through there without stepping on a light saber, Legos, puzzles or various other toys that just minutes before had been neatly stacked away ... sigh. The girls ran from room to room. I actually saw Evie rub affectionately the cabinets in the kitchen. I think maybe she had plumb lost her mind. She seems OK this morning, though. Julie beamed and walked around and just kept saying how good it was to be home.
God is good to us and watching over us. We drove 3,300 miles without nary a problem with two cars. We had some mild sickness, but nothing serious. We got to see old friends and family all along the way and made new friends practically from shore to shore. What a blessing.
5) The entrance way to a rest area near some remote I-80 outpost in Wyoming. I think I had to go since Utah. You try holding it that long.
4) The parking lot of the KFC in Waynesboro, Va. , after something like 520 miles of driving, with another 170 or so to go. I pulled into the KFC and the kids in the van let out a rousing cheer. You should have seen the look on the faces of the gals behind the counter when we rolled in like the incoming tide. "Yes, we are one family," I said. "And hungry. I hope you got some fried chicken ready, because I wouldn't want to be you breaking the news to this crowd that they're going to have to wait a few minutes to eat."
3) The ribbon of highway that cuts through the craggy cliffs and pine forests -- with a Rocky Mountain backdrop -- in Colorado where it drops down into Fort Collins from Laramie, Wyo. Gorgeous. Just plain gorgeous.
2) Highway 26 from Prineville to Unity. Pine forests, mountain streams, lush meadows, gorges, snow-capped peaks, big sky, little cowboy hamlets short on population but long on character ... can't beat it as far as I'm concerned.
1) That stretch of concrete in front of the garage at 7258 Jeanne Drive in Gloucester, Va. Not a prettier sight all trip. And that's saying something.
We arrived home about 8 o'clock Thursday night after 11 1/2 hours of hard riding from Brentwood. We were greeted by a paint-scraping rainstorm. In southwest Virginia we drove through counties that were under a tornado watch. It's good to be home, I tell you and feel like even the elements are out in force to greet us. I can't tell you the last time I drove under a tornado watch in Oregon. (Editor's note: Let me help you out: Never. Author's reply: I knew that.) Within minutes of getting in the house, the little boys' room was covered with toys. I couldn't walk through there without stepping on a light saber, Legos, puzzles or various other toys that just minutes before had been neatly stacked away ... sigh. The girls ran from room to room. I actually saw Evie rub affectionately the cabinets in the kitchen. I think maybe she had plumb lost her mind. She seems OK this morning, though. Julie beamed and walked around and just kept saying how good it was to be home.
God is good to us and watching over us. We drove 3,300 miles without nary a problem with two cars. We had some mild sickness, but nothing serious. We got to see old friends and family all along the way and made new friends practically from shore to shore. What a blessing.
Well you'd never seen a tornado warning in Oregon but we finally had one yesterday. Sounds like you would have been greeted the same way either direction.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home my friend, they say that "home is where you hang your hat" or "home is where the heart is" but there is nothing like being home-home!! (Especially after you have been on a long sojurn like you guys have)
ReplyDeleteSo rub those cabinets and dump those toys it's time to party!!!
Welcome back, Sabos! I've been enjoying your trip accounts. Glad your journey was fun and safe.
ReplyDeleteBefore I opened this blog, I was thinking of you as I read this Wall Street Journal piece on Romanesko: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124417273336788109.html
So glad to hear that you made it home without any trouble. We were tracking with you as we made the southern route to TN. So beautiful in many places but soooo good to finally arrive at the destination - only we have the drive back yet!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your home as you settle back in. We will be praying for you regarding the job!
Blessings guys!