I've been putting off writing about our drive home from Montana. Honestly, it's too exhausting to think about much less write down. There were many bad things that happened to us along the way that for a couple of days "post trip" I had a hard time remembering the good things that we were blessed to have happen. So, here is my report: Good or bad? You decide.
Bad: Within half an hour of leaving the ranch, Kirsten began throwing up. Driving in a vehical while darkness enfolds us seems to trigger car sickness in my little girl. I pulled off the side of the road for she and Justin to switch places, hoping the front seat would ease Kirsten's nausea.
Good: This time, Kirsten was considerate enough to warn me of her pending upchuck. During the esperience, the kids were able to perform an experiment. Was Ziplock's slogan of "keeping your food secure and fresh" an honest advertisement? Our particular scenario proved it to be partially true. The Ziploc bag DID keep Kirsten's already eaten food secure, BUT it was NOT fresh.
Bad: The next hour or so, I had to endure the smell of vomit that apparently had gotten on Kirsten's clothes and/or hair. I had to beg her to refrain from moving, for each time she did, the smell increased ten-fold. Searching for a Rest Stop sign became my priority.
Good.: The rest stop was a clean heated building that sheltered Kirsten and I from the chilly dawn.
Good: We stopped at a rest stop in Idaho that had a couple of trails where we explored dried lava beds and canyons. Ever since our walk on the railroad tracks (back in Preston, ID) where we had talked about different types of rocks, Kirsten has been wanting a lava rock. This stop not only provided us a fun excuse to stretch our legs, but it also held many lava rock specimens for Kirsten to choose out.
Good: In Blackfoot, ID we stopped at a Wendys for lunch. The kids were so excited to see the sign for we haven't eaten at this restaurant since living in Texas. Were Wendys' hamburger patties always a square shape?
Bad: When entering Twin Falls, we had to follow a "line-painting truck" that was travelling no faster than 25mph taking up both lanes. It took us about forty-five minutes to leave this city and get back onto a normal highway.
Bad: A few seconds after crossing into Nevada, I got pulled over by the Sheriff for going 55 in a 35. Now I know some of you may be shocked at reading this, but let me explain what happened. The posted speed on the highway prior to entering Nevada, fluctuated between 55 and 70. I was driving down a steep incline, passing the border, when I noticed the 45mph sign. A big casino and gas station lay less than a quarter of a mile away at the bottom of the hill. I began to pump my brakes (because the hill was very steep) attempting to slow down to turn into the gas station. Before I could even slow to 45mph, the speed limit changed to 35mph. I continued to brake with my sights on that gas station. My visions of finally being able to get out the car to take a much needed stretch were interrupted by the flashing lights and siren of an oncoming police car that turned around making me its target. Sigh!! I pulled into the gas station and nervously awaited my sentence. The officer inquired about my new car (Are you the owner?), my destination (Where are you headed to?), my intentions (Do you plan to drive to CA without stopping?), and my sanity (Are all these kids yours?). I answered politely and didn't argue with him when he told me the speed I was clocked at when in the 35mph zone. What a perfect speed trap I fell into!
Good: The Sheriff was either impressed by my clean record, or felt sorry for me having to travel such a long distance with five children. I'm sure it was the latter when he graciously wrote me up for going only 5 miles over the speed limit. He explained to me that this ticket would not raise my insurance. Phew!
Good: After waving goodbye to the kind officer, my nerves were shot. With shaky hands I left the gas station (without filling up) and drove to a rest stop one mile away.
Bad: The kids boys were first out of the car racing to the bathroom fighting over who got to use it first. Steven won. Or rather he lost. He hadn't been in there more than a few seconds when we all heard screaming coming from his location. He darted out of that bathroom still screaming yelling to us that there are a million flies in it attacking him. Well, needless to say, none of us wanted to share Steven's fate, so we walked in the opposite direction toward a little stream surrounded by rocks on either side.
Good: The kids and I relaxed by the water seeing who could skip the most rocks. Justin won with an uncountable number. The rock skipped so quickly that we couldn't count it. We guessed it was around 15 times.
Bad: Right when I merged onto the highway, leaving the rest stop behind, the Sheriff's car passed me going the opposite direction.
Good: He didn't pull me over again.
Good: While stopped at Battle Mountain, Nevada for gas and dinner (cold cereal) a train passed in front of us not more than 20 yards away. Dave-o was so excited! This is the closest he's been to a moving train.
Good: We arrived at the John Ascuagas Nugget Hotel/Casino located in Sparks Nevada at 8:30pm. I had no idea the hotel would be so big with an east and a west wing. After parking the car in the garage I was unsure of where to go. The same moment we entered inside, an elevator opened to our left and a maintenance man emerged from it. I asked him for help in directing us to the front desk. He happily showed us the way (which ended up being quite a distance). While walking, he informed me that I was lucky to be staying at the hotel on a safe night. What??? Red flags are popping up in my head. I asked him to explain himself and he shared with me a shooting that occurred in the hotel five nights before. Hells Angels had been having a convention there when the president of the group was shot and killed. Two more people were shot outside the hotel. This information should've bothered me, but I think I was too tired to let it fully register in my mind. The lady at the front desk asked me the same question the Sheriff asked: Are all those kids yours? She gave us a room on the 28th floor (the very top) no doubt to keep us isolated from the other guests. The room was nice and we all had a much needed sleep.
Good: The next morning we checked out of the hotel at 6:45am and drove into our driveway at 11am. It was so good to be home. I almost cried when we entered California. Driving through the beautiful Sierra Mountains in the morning is breathtaking. The kids were great travellers. I was so impressed with how they helped each other out, thus helping me.
Will I do this trip again without a second driver?
Yes! I suppose the "good" did in fact out weigh the "bad".
