Today, was exhausting. I knew it was going to be, but still, as I type this at 10:30 tonight, I feel like I need a massage. And I’m totally not the massage type either. My legs are tight, my back hurts and I’m dehydrated. So far, this was been my least favorite day on our 3,000 mile trip.
Plus, we are quickly running out of podcasts to listen to and if I have to eat another handful of trail mix…. I might scream.
We left the hotel around 5:30 am, drove 2 hours and then somewhere in Wisconsin got off the freeway and found a long country road so The Girl could get a 15 mile run in. Seriously, who does that in the middle of a road trip? My daughter, that’s who. Did I tell you she qualified for this years Boston Marathon? Yes, yes she did and well, you know, the kid had to get her training in somewhere, right?
Driving through the Chicago area…. Is insane. I could never live there. And the gazillion dollar tolls… Don’t even get me started.
We also got pulled over in Indiana by the highway patrol. Apparently the speed limit had changed from 80 to 70 and I didn’t notice and well, don’t tell my husband this but the officer was super sweet {even though Lucy barked her little face off at him the whole time he was talking to us}. After he checked my license and registration in his car for like 5 minutes, he let us off with a warning. I was so certain I was going to get the ticket I deserved, but I didn’t. BAD MAVIS.
Sadly, we did not see John Mellencamp. Or a pink house for that matter.
Food we ate today: Trail mix, oranges, banana, fig bar, chicken Caesar salad from Panera, bread and a MRE. I think I’ve gained like 10 pounds since we moved out of the HOA house. The first month was due to inactivity {because of living in a 600 square foot apartment} and this week, well, I’ve been sitting in a car. Once we get settled though, I think I’m going to drink nothing but hot tea and chicken broth for an entire week. Also, my face and hands are really dry. Maybe it’s the colder weather? Or maybe I’m just feeling a little whiny today because The Girl and I didn’t make it to the hotel until way after dark.
Road trips…. Some days are better than others.
720 Miles to go. I don’t even care if I have to sleep on the floor tomorrow night, I just want to be HOME.
~Mavis
P.S. If you are ever in Minnesota, you MUST find a Caribou Coffee stand and try their hot chocolate. It tastes just like you are drinking Cadbury chocolate. Ah-Mazing. The Girl and I gave it a 5 out of 5.
Mandy says
Love these updates. Long time lurker from Oregon who is now in Tacoma of all places. Lived in Illinois through the winter months. It is hard to stay hydrated inside and out! It is a dry cold we are not used to on the coast. Tacoma is raining this weekend if you want to come back. LOL
Jane says
If you ever hit up a Caribou again, their mint condition was my fave and their chai lattes are some of the best! Huge congrats to your girl for qualifying for the Boston!
Antje says
Congratulations to your daughter for qualifying for Boston. I hope you go and cheer her on; and I’m looking forward to a post from you about Boston.
Drive safe till you arrive home!
Lisa says
I agree, huge Hurrah! for the girl and the marathon, and Mom Kudos for accommodating the run. You ladies are rocking this life thing.
Mary says
If you are into any type of science fiction, check out the Nerdist podcast. Some of them are quite entertaining.
Carolina says
Find yourself a Caribou coffee place when you get to New England!!! They are everywhere. Caribou, as you probably know is a place in Maine, though I am not sure that the Caribou coffee stands were named for the place.
cristinasorina says
Hello from Northeastern Ohio when you pass through! I’ve been a blog reader/ occasional commenter since 2013, and I’ve loved hearing of all your adventures! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this new home 🙂
Laura T. says
You’re making progress! You were in my neck of the woods! I live south of Chicago & I spend a lot of time in Indiana too. Everything is expensive over here! I don’t go into the city much as I’m not much of a city girl! It’s too crazy busy! Stay safe & be careful with all the snow you’re headed toward!
Katie says
Oh, I have made the cross-country drive many times, and I wish I would’ve thought to warn you about Indiana. I see more highway patrol driving through that state than all the others combined. Chicago traffic is the worst, and going east to west, I’m always so happy to leave it behind because I know I will be free from traffic for the rest of the trip. Going northeast, I encourage you to start finding secondary highways instead of the interstate. You’ll get away from the semi-trucks. And, I’m guessing you’ll be going through Western NY, it’s really quaint and pretty. It’s the only area between the Rocky Mountain front and the East Coast that I could justify living in for sheer beauty.
Terri at The Frugal List says
Oh wow, a 15 mile run in the middle of a road trip, that’s crazy! You should tell her to do her run first thing in the morning, so you can sleep in!
Chellie says
It’s probably too late, but I like Dirtbag Diaries’ podcast for grueling road trips. They’re stories about epic outdoor adventures loaded with type two and three fun. Type one is regular fun, type two not fun at the time but fun to talk about, type three fun barely survived but come abway with an epic story to pass down to the grandchildren.
OregonGuest says
Mavis, I feel your pain. I made several cross-country trips as a kid (sticky red-pleather station wagon seats in 90 degree heat without air conditioning, my brother was probably farting, my sister was writing her 16th love letter of the day to her boyfriend, and both of them were sitting too close to me and breathing too loudly, I was tapped out playing the license plate game and doing MadLibs, and Wall Drug was a let down after all the signs, etc., etc. — did I mention my siblings were sitting too close to me?). Drive carefully — you’re almost there! By the way, you might see if local truck stops will rent out audiobooks you can return at another next truck stop later in your trip.
Marcia says
Ugh you’d be doing better than me.
Yay for the kiddo qualifying for Boston! That’s a big deal. One of my mom friends (our boys are in 6th grade together) also qualified, so she’ll be there! She’s in her mid-50s though…so your daughter probably had to run faster to qualify, I’d imagine.
15 miles though…eek.
Ronda says
Podcast reps for the last 720 miles: The popcast by Knox and Jamie & the Lazy Genius – both highly entertaining.
Safe travels.
erin in ia says
We drive to Chicago from eastern Iowa about once every 2 years to experience the city. I always complained about the driving there until we went to Dallas for spring break last week. Chicago is a piece of cake after that. My GPS was constantly lost and rerouting….I’ve never seen so many huge highways put together like that.
Jennifer says
Ugh, I live in Texas…I do my level best to avoid Dallas. I can usually skirt west around Fort Worth if I’m headed to Alberta, but having to skirt east, going to the airport, or anything involving Arlington is getting more and more difficult.
Teri says
Congratulations to the girl for qualifying!! That is a major accomplishment and I’m sure you are all proud. Will be looking forward to reading your blog post about it when it happens. Next month, I think?
Leslie says
Good to know- don’t know if I’ve ever noticed a Caribou Coffee outside of the Denver Airport.
Jean says
I like to listen to The Minimalists podcast. Hours upon hours of listening!
Bri says
You’re getting close hang in there!! Question – is the Girl doing all the driving or are you taking turns? Just wondered since you appear to be working on your awesome rug in the car, right?
Erin in WI says
Congratulations to your daughter! I run roads like that everyday. Made me smile to see her running in the dairyland.
Sarah says
Yup, Caribou Coffee is one of the perks of living in Minnesota. Hope you enjoyed the drive through the state Miss Mavis.
Lolly says
It’s the change in humidity making everything dry…you’re used to all the wet. We have this issue when we leave southern alabama (it is soooo humid), and go north to see family. My lips and hands dry out and hurt. My nose…I sniff and sniff….the dry annoys it. And i cough a ton. In a week, I’ll use up a whole tube of chapstick! (Good thing Mrs HB gave you an extra tube, yes!!!?)
Joanna says
We once flew into St. Louis Missouri, then drove east through Illinois and to Evansville, Indiana in the winter, with an 18-month old. I HATED that 3 hour drive. HATED IT. I hated the too-bright winter sun, the car was too hot, the ground was too flat, and the scenery was too brown.
Julie says
the air in your vehicle is very dry….that’s why you’ll crave snacks ( salty ones in my case) and be thirsty…more so than usual. But of course, I never want to drink too much not knowing when the next available rest stop will be. I hate car rides.
Wendy M says
Didnt dawn on me that you would head through the Hoosier state. I should have waved! you wanted to see Mellencamp or his little pink house, you would have needed to head to Bloomington. 🙂 Glad you are making progress on the road. Praying tomorrow is a better day for you and you will be home soon! nice job on the rug!
Mel W. says
Recommended podcasts: By the Book with Kristen Meinzer, Oprah Super Soul podcast, Jen Hatmaker’s For the Love, Gretchen Rubin’s Happier
Nancy W says
When we drove cross country three years go I hated driving around Chicago! Enjoy life on the east coast and yes you will find the winters very dry (lots of hand cream etc). The summers are better! Can’t wait to hear more about your new home!
Sandy says
Used to live in Chicago Metro (south) and NW Indiana. There’s a reason I moved to Oregon. You experienced several of the reasons in that post right there! Also, it’s the dry air that’s getting to you. You are used to PNW moisture! Get thyself a humidifier, stat! Chicago area has some of the nicest people you will EVER want to meet — nothing against the people. Just so many of them in one place and the WEATHER! Oy. The worst. Epic bad.
joely says
Keep the faith Mavis! You are getting closer. Go “the Girl.” Rooting for you in Boston!!
Toni says
I am from MN and love caribou hot chocolate! I like the milk hot chocolate with a raspberry shot… It’s sweet but so delicious! Have fun in the snow. And yes, you are dry because of the cold… You should invest in a humidifier, at least in the bedrooms, your nose and skin will thank you.
Valerie Barbeau says
I love the updates!
You need to hydrate! And you need to eat reall food, protein,veg,carbs…come on ….
And I think your daughter had the right idea with the training….
Meg C says
Did you already pass through Cleveland? If not, you’re welcome to lunch at my house or in my neighborhood! We would love to have you!
Safe travels!!
Pj says
Mavis, I hate to break it to you, but your skin will never be the same. Rain forest to the great northeast… I look forward to your future dry skin remedy posts. I move from Florida and my skin has NEVER recovered. The olive oil soap in Italy and the Italian climate were the only thing that helped. Alas, it was only a two week vacation.
Candy C. says
Yep a humidifier is the way to go even if you have one on your furnace. My mom’s hands always cracked and bled in the winters as it was so dry and the snapping when folding clothes made one fear that chore. Once I married, my husband purchased a humidifier and what a blessing. However, if it empties you are quickly reminded when folding clothes that you need to fill it.
Norma says
Ha Mrs HB will be sending you the big packets of chapstick from Costco in no time☺
Cant wait for the next update.
Julie P says
This is amazing, really enjoying it. We only do 1400 miles from home to the coast of the Algarve each winter and it’s draining, then the same roughly back in the spring. Doing it in three/four days twice as far is a hideous thought. The goal is near now and such beautiful scenery the mountains, wow. You’ll sleep well tonight. Love and prayers for a safe arrival to a bed tonight are sent across the pond.
Lisa Scott says
I’ve been MIA for a bit. Did Mavis say where on the East coast she is moving to? I’m in Virginia and have my fingers crossed she will be my neighbor Safe travels Mavis and crew! Looking forward to many more posts about the new place.
Emily Brower says
Ahhh…. the ‘Bou got you! Their hot chocolate is pretty darn delightful. My daughter worked there all through HS, and through college when she came home for breaks and summer. Great local company, IMHO. The options of dark, milk, or white chocolate too?! My go to is dark chocolate, 1/2 the regular amount, 1/2 pump of almond, skim milk, and WHIP! Getting these brought home to you can be a slippery slope…a DELICIOUS CHOCOLATY slope.
I’m glad MN served you well in the beverage department. Shame you missed out on Kramarczuk’s, they are tasty!
Linda says
You haven’t gained weight- it’s water retention. You’ll lose it all after arrival and move-in anyway. The rest of the trip will be more traffic, so get some good rest. We went through Wyoming with a one of those southern trucks (U-Haul) full up six years ago, and the “service engine soon” light came on. I called and they said “Oh those trucks frequently do that.” We worried the whole way to Ohio, but made it okay. Glad you are closer. Please wave as you go through Ohio – we had snow this week on the first day of spring. Major bummer.
Love the rug. The only time I got out of a ticket was when the kids were little and crying in the back seat with eyes as big as saucers – “Are you going to put my MOm in j-j-j-jail?????” Glad to know they were reasonable. You don’t need extra expenses right now.
Looking forward to hearing where your “home” will be, and all you’ll have to tell.
Marti says
You must be so proud of your daughter for qualifying. My son runs (or should I say plods) marathons. He thoroughly enjoys them and I try to attend to cheer him along but alas, not a fast runner. My husband is from upstate NY and we settled in SW Wisconsin–an 18 hour trip to his parent’s house under good conditions. We usually would drive straight through. When we got close to Chicago and I was driving, I would stop so he could take over. That traffic is NOT my comfort zone. I’m use to drier and cold weather so have learned that moisturizer and lip balm are just daily routines. Keep the updates coming–you are almost home!!
Jennifer says
Caribou is the Starbucks of the Nort’ ❤️ So happy for you, Mavis! Making dreams a realty totally rocks…