Brightwood Lights

In August of 1991, my grandparents celebrated 40 years of marriage with a family reunion in Maine.  My mom drove by herself with the 4 daughters, who were ages 12, 10, 6, and 4.  Her total round trip mileage was roughly 2, 565.

I, on the other hand, just returned from my own solo drive to Maine with my 2 children, ages 3 and 6 months.  My round trip mileage was about 1,482.  I suddenly have a profound understanding of what a challenge that must have been, and frankly, I have no idea how she survived.  My own trip nearly did me in.

Below are timelines of the drive TO Maine.  I know this may be tedious to read, but believe me- in some ways, that’s the whole point.  And please note, this was the GOOD part of the trip.  Stay tuned for tomorrow’s edition:  The nightmarish trip home.
THURSDAY:

7:30 AM- Depart home precisely on schedule.  Enter Maryland.

8:00 AM- Daughter throws up.  Stop for cleanup and a change of clothes.

8:25 AM- Back on the highway.  Start singing every children’s song you know.  Pass through Delaware and enter New Jersey.
9:15 AM- Run out of children’s songs.  Start telling stories.
10:10 AM-  Make first “short” pit stop to use the bathroom, change a diaper, and nurse the baby.

10:40 AM- Back on the highway.  Resume children’s stories.

11:20 AM- Both children fall asleep.  Rejoice.  Enter New York.
12:45 PM- Both kids are awake.  Stop for lunch, bathroom, nursing, and gas.

1:25 PM- Back on the highway.
2:40 PM-  Enter Connecticut.  Make another “short” stop at the Welcome Center.

3:15 PM- Back on the highway.  Follow GPS through endless turns.  Begin to second guess GPS.

4:07 PM- Wonder how you can be in such a small state for such a long time.

4:25 PM- Stop for another “quick” potty break.

4:42 PM- Back on highway.  Pass through Rhode Island and enter Massachusetts.
5:30 PM- Complete an 8 hour drive in 10 hours.  Congratulate yourself on an amazing trip.  Nurse starving but patient baby.

FRIDAY:

11:15 AM- Depart Plymouth, MA and head for Logan Airport.  Immediately get stuck in traffic jam.

12:45 PM- Pick up Opa at Logan, about 40 minutes later than planned.  Depart for Maine.

12:45 PM- Stop for gas.  Spend the next 20 minutes trying to find a fast food joint for lunch.

1:00 PM- Grab a “quick” lunch at a sit-down Italian restaurant.

2:10 PM- Back on the highway.  Pass through New Hampshire & enter Maine.

2:30 PM- Get stuck in massive traffic jam on the Maine Turnpike.  Count your blessings that Opa is in the car and on “entertainment” duty.
2:42 PM- Think about the fact that Caleb has just recenly boarded a plane to come to Maine.  Wonder if he will beat you to Aunt Nancy’s house.
3:55 PM- Finally pass accident causing traffic jam.

4:42 PM- Stop on the side of the Maine Turnpike for daughter to pee in grass.
5:03 PM- Arrive.  Say a prayer of gratitude.  Nurse starving baby.

5:58 PM- Caleb arrives.  Inwardly slightly resent how fresh and unfazed he seems by his trip to Maine.