Almost There

June 5, 2012 By Kelle

The only thing I don’t like about staying in hotels is the coffee. The coffee isn’t great. But the rest? It’s vacation adrenaline–every little nugget, from the tiny shampoo bottles to the hum of the big air conditioner in the corner, whispering, “Relax. You’re on an adventure.” An adventure that, for us, includes 27 hours of drive time. Before I end on this blessed upswing of how very much I love this road trip, let me say we’ve had our moments–kids crying, a bit of bickering (“I told you you should have taken that exit, but no–you had to keep driving.”) and a particular low moment in Tifton, Georgia when, after finally deciding to call it a night and celebrate with a cold beer at Chilis, we arrived thirsty to be informed that the South has some pretty conservative standards on Sunday drinking. Or, as our waiter (who looked like Zac Efron but spoke like Alan Jackson) said, “Oh Sweetheart, I’m sahr-ry but we’re a drah cow-ny on Sun-dahays.” Son of a Peach.

We’re headed out from Bowling Green, Kentucky this morning to make it to our first book signing in Skokie, IL (7:00 p.m. tonight–Come! Don’t make me pull random housewives from the cafe and force my signature on their Fifty Shades of Grey because no one showed up!). And then we’re spending a day downtown Chicago, off to Michigan for two more signings and finally headed up north for some blessed relaxation. Now I said “blessed” twice in one post–a little church past creeping up. We love us a good blessed.

I’m actually going to be doing a little bit of the driving today. You’d think it was my first time because Brett saw the need to teach me some tips yesterday.

“Now when you’re driving,” he seriously informs me, “It’s especially important that you look in front. Always be watching. You know you’re not the one I’m worried about; it’s the other drivers.”

I laugh. “Brett, I’m 33 years old. What are you, a Driver’s Ed teacher? I know how to do this.”

And then he says, “Nevermind, I’ll drive.”

Very well then. Here’s a little video of our first half of the trip.

Untitled from ETST on Vimeo.

And don’t forget, we’d love to meet you. Come out and see us at one of the book signings. I’ll draw something happy in the front cover of your book.

Check out Wiegand’s Nursery page. It made me smile. Gary has worked for Wiegand’s for over thirty years and, less than six months after Nella was born, one of the owners had a granddaughter born unexpectedly with Down syndrome. Wiegand’s has worked hard to put this event together, arranging to give a portion of Saturday’s retail proceeds to Band of Angels, and we are grateful.

Looking forward to meeting some of you!

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