So, let's pick up where we left off--me wanting a good night's sleep. hahahahahahaha. My room was very nice but after I turned out the lights and tried for that sleep, the people upstairs began clomping around in cement block shoes AND the people in the room next door may have been hard of hearing. Or it was just poor planning on the hotel's part that they mounted the TV for the room next door on the same wall as the headboard of my bed. Not good. Not even my relaxation music could drown that out. I did my best trying to tune it out, but the occupants either watched TV most of the night or they fell asleep with the volume up enough to wake the dead. Either way, I woke up later and grumpier than I had hoped.
I did manage to grab a cup of coffee and a bagel from the breakfast buffet before they closed at 9:30 and I was off to Chesapeake, VA to visit some friends. I plugged the address into my GPS and it seemed like a simple drive. Once again, maniacal laughter on my part.
The ease of driving on 95 was hindered by lots of traffic and when I finally hit South Carolina, I was hindered by po-po everywhere. I have never in my life seen such a heavy police presence on the highway. I counted 9 cars pulled over--some with multiple police cars. It was crazy and of course, you have the people jamming on the brakes every time they see the lights, despite the fact that they are busy on the side of the road with another car. UGH
And once again, my GPS appeared to be on something as I was instructed to "turn left onto Outlet Drive" while cruising along 95 with about 20 miles or so to the exit where I was supposed to get off. I don't know if it lost the signal or what...........but for the rest of the day I was plagued with this. After being stuck on 64 during rush hour, I finally made it to my friend's house. (And what a lovely home it is!) She led me inside for a long awaited adult beverage or 5 and prepared a delicious dinner and a wonderful before meal snack. Her hubby got home from work and joined us as we stared at the TV and the latest hurricane news. We had some great conversation and this girl was mellow and ready for bed about 11pm..
Off I went to my bedroom and settled in for what I hoped a restorative sleep for the final push to Pennsylvania the following morning. I had a comfy bed, perfect temperature for sleeping aaaaaaand my body said... do you know what acid reflux is? I'm gonna make you feel bad all night long. I guess I overdid it on wine.
My gracious hosts let me sleep until I woke up about 8:40am. I grabbed a cup of coffee, repacked the car and I was on my way again.
If you know me, you know that I hate tunnels. HATE them. It is an irrational fear, but there it is. My head knows it's irrational but my body goes, there is no AIR in here. Let's hyperventilate! Once again, my friends were to the rescue and helped me map an alternate route out of their town and onto 64 that didn't involve a tunnel! YAY!
The entire drive, despite having chosen this route on the GPS, it kept trying to tell me to make U turns and go some other way. Once again, I pulled over, shut off the GPS and then reentered the information, choosing highway 17. And once again, it keep wanting me to get off 17. It got to the point, where I wasn't sure how to proceed because I saw no 17 signs. So, I followed GPS and it was telling me to make a U TURN on the highway, on a bridge. I frantically call my friends and they ask where are you...........so I started naming things. What the effing GPS did was somehow route me in a complete circle and headed me for.........................you guessed it...................the Monitor Merrimack tunnel. Well, there was nothing I could do, so into the tunnel I went, sweating like crazy and trying to breathe normally. When I made it out the other side, my hair was plastered to my head with sweat and I felt sick to my stomach.
It was shortly after that, I noticed I was down pretty low on gas, so I saw at WaWa at the next exit and got off the highway. I treated myself to a peach/mango smoothie after that ordeal, got gas and was back on 64 thinking the worst part of my day was over. hahahahahahahaha
Traffic was running fairly well on 64, there were areas that were still stop and go, but mostly we were able to maintain a good speed. I merged onto 95 N and the traffic there was heavy. However, from Richmond to DC (and no I am not exaggerating) it was bumper to bumper traffic. I never got above 25 MPH. It was all stop and go...........all those miles. OMG I was hateful. I will admit to some road rage--screamed at people but only I could hear the noise.
Finally, finally, finally I made it over the Potomac River and the GPS said to get on 1-270. Ok. that sounded reasonable. I've driven that road many times on the way to the Outer Banks. I eased into the HOV lane as it was Saturday and I was allowed and cruised the whole way up at a lovely 80 mph. As I pass a couple of towns, I know that US 15 is next for me. The GPS is telling me to go another 53 miles on this different road. OH NO. I know 15 and I know it's the right road, so I shut the B off. I finally made it to my friends house in PA at about 5:30.
I took a nice hot shower and got cleaned up and rid of 'car cooties' and we went out for dinner and I had my first wonderful crab cake in more than a year! Nick's 114 I love your food! After that we just talked and vegged out on the couch. And I finally got that wonderful night's sleep I've been craving.
Which brings me today, I also enjoyed sleeping so much, I slept until 10:30. LOL Had 2 cups of coffee and met my son for lunch at Duke's, where I had yet another crab cake for lunch. Then I got to see my the lovely place my son is living now. And we did a bit of shopping for his place. Great time!
While we were out and about, my phone rang with a number I didn't recognize and I let it go to voicemail. When I saw the message, I was not happy. Amtrak called to tell me they cancelled train service on Wednesday--the day I was to get aboard. And when I called them they said they had no idea why the service was cancelled but they could get me on the train on Thursday. I said, ummm isn't that closer to when the hurricane is going to pass by? Won't it be cancelled again? She was, I don't know and I don't know why the service for Wednesday is cancelled. I think I rolled my eyes so hard, I hurt myself. She also told me they should be getting an update on the hurricane impacts on Monday or Tuesday. Ooooooooook.
So, I'm booked Thursday but who knows if I will be able to get out. Sigh. I texted my Manager this and was told, no problem. Enjoy the extra time with your family.
So there you have it folks. My life is sometimes a comedy but it's life.
jilly
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