Holly and I drove down to Illinois to visit my family over the holiday weekend. We left Saturday around 9am and made it to my sister's house in Western Illinois about 2ish (271 miles). We then met up with some old friends of mine for dinner at their house around 4 (21 miles), back to my sisters around 10:30 (21 miles). Both Holly and I had a hard time sleeping, as there seemed to be alot of noises we weren't used to, like coyotes and clock radios and me snoring.
Sunday morning, we we're up early to head to church (32 miles). I have a friend from my high school days who is pastoring a new church plant on the riverfront in Peoria, and we also got to hook up with some other friends of mine, Cory and Vicky. After church, Holly and I we're invited over to Cory and Vicky's (7.4 miles) for lunch and a chance to talk and catch up.
After lunch, Holly and I headed back to my sister's house (40 miles) for my youngest nieces birthday party. After cake and pizza, we hang out for a bit to talk with my mom and stepdad. about 5:30, we leave to head to my dad's house (30 miles) to watch the Nascar race and hang out with my dad and stepmom.
Up Monday morning for breakfast, then off to my paternal grandparents (59 miles) to have lunch with them and catch up. My Dad's folks are 84, and living in their own house after taking a stab at assisted living. They didn't care for the assisted living deal, so they bought a house that has a handicapped accessible bathroom, as Granddad had a stroke about 5 years ago and has limited use of his left side.
Next stop: Maternal Grandparents (18.5 miles). No food here, just a chance to visit for a couple hours. After that, we head to my mom's (1 mile) for dinner. Mom went all out: meatload, peas, biscuits....so much good food. We sat for a while after dinner, during which I entered a slight food coma. Holly took the wheel when we left for the first leg home, aided by my GPS. We stopped in Rochelle Illinois to gas up and get beverages, and I took the wheel for the rest of the way home (250 miles). I dropped Holly off at her house about 1am, then made my way home.
I included the mileage because I wanted to show that "going home" is never a short hop, even once I get there. We did it on less than three tanks of gas, two energy drinks, 2 sprite zero's, 1 diet coke, and a bag of cheese curds.
Why do I make that effort? I am blessed at the age of 32 to have all four grandparents, and I love my family. It's worth the numb butt and gas money to see them when I have the chance.
2 comments:
You know I just read this and thought of something really cool for you to do (if you took pictures of trip). You know the Mastercard commercials where they say merchandise and do a price afterwards and then do the "priceless" thing. You should do a photo blog to show off to friends. Food for thought.
You knew I'd have to add it up - over 750 miles.
Loved having you two over tonight - will continue praying for you both and for a hurry-up of God's timing!
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