Phase Two: The Ride Down
Friday morning, headed south on I-65. Traffic somewhere between moderate and heavy. Barbara and Candy drop off to sleep almost immediately. This is a good thing. I place the radio on some pleasant driving music, set the cruise and begin pondering “things” as we move on down the road. (Note here — I enjoy the quiet, undisturbed ride without being urged to slow down, move over, look out or having brakes applied to the right side floor.)
After about two-and-a-half hours, they awaken abruptly as I hit the brakes and horn simultaneously. A semi that I was beginning to pass suddenly decided to pull into my lane to pass another. Around the first, he then got even with a double trailer and swerved toward it, coming within inches before recovering. Finally passing the second Semi, he pulled back into the right lane. At this time I hit overdrive and left the obviously too-tired driver in my rearview.
Now fully awake, both Barbara and Candy were amazed and delighted at our progress.
About this time, I’m wondering just how far along Chris might be, thinking he’s most likely 20 to 30 miles further down the road, when Lana calls saying they are about to stop for gas and a drive-through burger — at the last exit back. This puts us 20 miles further down the road.
So, needing a restroom stop myself and it being nigh on to lunch time, I pull off the road at the next exit. McDonalds, it is! Grab and go, then we’re back on the road. Still ahead of Chris by 17 miles; he says, “Don’t slow down I’ll catch up.”
Five miles further and we pass the last rest area before exiting the interstate. And as we are slipping by in the left hand lane I hear, “I planned on stopping there!”
Well too late now. So another stop is now in order. McDonalds No. 2 … quick stop and back on the road.
Another call to Chris, compare mile markers, and he’s now five miles ahead wondering how he passed us without seeing us. Now, this time, I tell him “Don’t slow down, I’ll catch you.” And we do close to within three miles when he reaches the beach exit.
Now this time he does stop and wait on us, so we can travel the remainder of the trip together. He takes the lead and we move on toward Orange Beach.
Without any further mentionable incidents, we arrive at our hotel about 30 minutes before check-in. But rooms are already ready, so we complete check-in, unload, take a breath and walk down to the beach.
And wow, is it ever so beautiful! A very calm Gulf with light waves kissing the white sandy beach. Temperature next to perfect with a slight, very mild breeze.
After about 20 to 30 minutes of just taking it in, Chris suggested we head on to supper as it was after 4:00 on a Friday afternoon at the beach.
A slightly more than brief discussion of where to go landed on a place where the “locals” liked.
All now packed into one car, we headed in that direction. Then we passed a familiar place we all liked, so decision made, and a quick “U-turn”, and we were headed back to Tacky Jack’s.
Good food, good fun, very tired and back to the hotel for a good night’s rest and a new adventure beginning on the beach early the next morning.
Candy’s birthday…
Just Pondering…