the trip toto took to kansas... (part 4)

the next morning we were all looking for some serious caffeine and tylenol. it felt like we had been traveling for endless days. but really, we only had one day under our belts, and the next two days seemed daunting. i was beginning to think that we were never going to make it to kansas

i was handing out tylenol like it was candy. the kids were sick.  blazing high fevers, colds and congestion. we spent the morning trying to hunt down a vehicle to carry our additional cargo. we needed a 15 passenger van or something larger.  we called, and called, and called, and the only thing available in charleston, west virginia, was another 26 foot truck. it was our only ticket out of WV. you can only imagine the dollar signs climbing as we added another diesel sucking engine to our fleet.  as we scurried around to check out by 1pm, we were like walking zombies. thankfully, we found the only first watch east of the mississippi and filled our bellies with goodness.  then it was time to once again unload the honda and reload the 26 foot truck in 110 degree weather. the beauty of another 26 foot truck is that all four children could simultaneously ride in a "big truck". they were THRILLED! we strapped the kiddos in their car seats with the AC cranked.. and the four adults unloaded and loaded. the inside of the truck was a balmy 125 degrees. we changed clothes (AGAIN) and lined up the fleet. we had to keep clicking off the miles or we would NEVER get to kansas. at this point i was SERIOUSLY considering going back to VA, we were only 300 miles away from home, comfort, and sleep. i wanted to throw the towel in and say, "well, looks like all the signs are saying we shouldn't move to kansas... everyone ABOUT FACE!" but i didn't. i somehow convinced my cloudy emotions to press on.

i was going to lead, mark was going to be in the middle with a 26 foot truck, and dad would be the caboose in the OTHER 26 foot truck. i put the van in drive, checked my rear view mirror only to see dad jumping out of his truck and throwing his hands up in the air.... "this is NOT happening!" i thought to myself. with some colorful words added. i slowly climbed out of the van fearing i was about to receive bad news, again. dad shrugged, "the lights on the trailer aren't working! they delivered a broken trailer!" at this point penske was ALREADY going to hear from me in no uncertain terms, this sealed the deal. collectively we decided a ticket was far easier than trying to get another trailer. we decided the de-funked trailer would ride in the middle, always followed by someone who had working lights.

FINALLY at 3pm we left charleston.  we had a long day ahead of us, BUT we were ALL glad to be moving.

between bathroom stops, meal stops, gas stops, and moving at a slower pace with our TWO 26ft trucks, we rolled into the hotel at midnight. the kids had rested ALL day long. which was EXACTLY what their little bodies needed. we were glad for 9 straight hours on the road with no break downs or fires.

we did the "unloading in to the hotel" production again and eagerly climbed into bed....

just as the fire alarm in the hotel began to beep!!

~s