Yesterday we got back from a nice trip to see Paula in Baltimore. I am taking today off to recuperate from the long road trip (about 14 hours one way). Here is my account of our trip.
(note: I started this entry on June 30th but it is now July 12 when I finally finished it.)
Saturday:
We headed out at 9:30 to drive as far as we can before taking in a hotel. We decided to do the toll/turnpike route through Indiana and Ohio. We finally stopped for lunch at the first Ohio oasis. Yuck, what a pit. There isn’t a whole lot of options for stopping on the Ohio turnpike. Right after we got back in the car I noticed a missed call from Paula. She gave us a weather forcast that some heavy thunderstorms were going through Ohio. A minute later we were in one of them.
When we hit Pittsburg we went searching for a hotel. The first place we tried they didn’t have any rooms, the second place, they only had a smoking room. I took a look and it was depressing. I seen a billboard next to them for a Red Roof inn about 4 miles back so I called and got a room there.
We went to Olive Garden to eat since our hotel was next to the mall area. It has been a long time since I was there so we thought what the heck. There was a drive-inn theater near by and thought it would be fun to go see Get Smart there but then the thunder and lightning started up. Instead we drove around by a strip mall. It was funny because for some reason RAW decided to go around it and it seemed like we drove forever behind the strip mall. It was actually funny. That was one long strip mall.
Sunday:
After hitting the Denny’s which shared the parking lot of our motel we headed out.
We got out to Paula’s at about 3:30. I would never guess Paula is a Nascar fan. We get the tour and walk around her neighborhood.
Monday:
We head out to see Baltimore. We go to the aquarium and check out the fishies and we take in the dolphin show.
When get done there we hit Cheesecake Factory for some lunch then walked around the mall. I find a music magazine that features The Flight of the Concords on the cover so I buy it.
Tuesday:
We go to DC. Paula drives us there as oppose to taking the train. She parks in her work garage and we go up to see her office and meet the people she works with. She is a CPA
From there we head out to the zoo via the subway and lots of walking.
Nice zoo but really our main objective is to go see the kiwi. We get to the bird house and am bummed that at 11:00 M-W-F, for the first 20 people, you can meet a kiwi. Dang. I found some video of what we missed here
We go in the dark room to try and spy the kiwi there and after a good long time in the stuffy hot dark room we finally see him. Mission accomplished. Hollace is happy. We move on.
Aunt Paula buys Hollace a big kiwi stuffed animal in the gift shop. Hollace names the kiwi, Pomegranate. I buy this funky penguin with baby at the aquarium (Luann and Tibby) and Hollace gets an otter that she names Hibiscus. For the rest of the week, Hollace plays day care center with all the new stuffie
Wednesday:
It is time to hit the Hershey chocolate factory. It is about a 90 minute drive from Paula’s. The only free candy you get is 2 little dark chocolate Blisses.
Thursday:
The weather is starting to get hotter and more humid. We are tired of all the walking so we lay low and go shopping. We hit Ikea and I buy $75 worth of stuff. Earlier that day I realized I got a $150 Spot award in my paycheck when I checked it online. For some reason I keep picking up all the expensive dinner tabs. Paula is trying to get some fish for RAW but I think he is coping an attitude about the fancy expensive restaurants.
Friday:
It is now officially hot and Paula only has a one room AC in her bed room but she doesn’t have a fan downstairs. Since we are sleeping in her room, she is realizing just how much she needs a fan. We go to Target to put a fan. I buy Hollace a cute headband to help her hide her growing out bangs. For the first time I can really see her face. She looks adorable.
Paula then takes us to Anapolis. It is cooler by the water as there is a nice breeze but also a storm is rolling in. We cut our trip short.
We go to our last expensive restaurant. This time I am not picking it up. Paula hands RAW some money to cover her meal, drink, and appetiser and I let RAW pick up the rest even though he just ordered soup!
Saturday/Sunday:
Saturday morning I went online and booked us a room at the Springfield OH Holiday Inn. Better be prepared this time.
We headed out around 9:30am and drove and drove. We showed at the hotel at around 6pm like we planned.
We get to the room and quickly realized the carpet was damp. Well that isn’t cool. I realized I put my purse on the floor near the most wetness and it was totally wet. We went to the front desk and told them of our problem. I showed her my purse for affect. She was really nice and put us in the room directly across the hall. It opened out to the poll. I guess that is an upgrade. After we had dinner in the restaurant we went to the pool. I took the first shift with our little fish. I think I did an hour and a half before RAW took his turn.
I go to take a shower. I strip out of my wet bathing suit when I realized the patio door curtain was wide open and there is was no way I would be able to get any clothes since my suitcase was in front of that door. I then try and get into my wet bathing suit which was virtually impossible but I managed to do it. I am sure I was a site. I close the curtains and continue on with my shower.
The next day we hit the road and get ourselves home by 2:00. Getting that hour back traveling back to Central time helped.
I took Monday off to recoup the long ride. Since we got back so early on Sunday, I got unpacked and got the laundry done. Monday was then all about relaxing.
I went to work on Tuesday and Wednesday before I was off again Thursday and Friday for the holiday weekend.