Day 14 - Last Day of GGLT 2011

While this may be the last day of GGLT 2011, our trip and fun was not finished yet. We rolled out of Sandusky, OH by 8:30 a.m., and after our first gas stop, headed towards Indianapolis. ETA for home - 9:21 p.m.

Other than the u-turns, there wasn't much excitement during the first leg of the drive. I could tell Mark had been around David/Luke too long as the first time I called for pit stop, I got a quote from a John Wayne movie.  

We stopped in Cloverdale, IN for lunch where Mark dropped me off at Subway and the rest in the van went to Arby's (across two parking lots and a street). I told them I would walk over - the stretch would be good. The McCoskey's chose Subway too and offered me a ride over to Arby's, so Lisa and I shared the passenger seat, each with one butt-cheek perched on the edge. While we had a tremendous amount of togetherness on this trip, I think this may have been the max. Glad it wasn't a long drive to Arby's!  We took our lunch in to eat with the rest.  Dave commented that this was the first time we had eaten at a fast food place on the trip (other than the 'foreign country' McDonalds in Canada which Molly wanted). If you're planning a trip - definitely use tripadvisor because their recommendations were right-on. We had good food as our clothes, and I'm sure our credit card bill, shows. We finished our lunch with David 'sneaking off' (Nikki's words) to get two turnovers, and Lisa telling Luke  'don't break her' when he was trying to pop Nikki's back. Our travel buddies are great for entertainment!


A few sights seen along the road included two huge crosses (don't know the story behind these), and Lisa may have seen the World's Largest Candle. The arch over the road when leaving Ohio was pretty cool, but I couldn't whip my camera out in time to take a picture, and Mark refused to double-back for it. (Can't believe he wouldn't want to!)

Most of the ride was pretty quiet with everyone taking naps, browsing the internet, reading, etc. I also had to take 'memory' shots...

napping

my view for two weeks of the McCoskey van in my side mirror

Mark's rear view mirror view of two weeks

our inside view of the umbilical cords to technology while driving

We had one last attraction that could not be passed by - the World's Largest Bottle of Catsup. Yes, it exists! Lisa had told her co-workers about it, so there was no option but to stop.

Emily is finished with the attractions; Frankie is now in hiding.

Shot from our 'camera cooler'

We coasted through St Louis, by the arch and football stadium, through Columbia and into KC where we had to do our final group stop.

 

During this trip, Lisa and I had walkie-talkies which are much easier to travel with, so Lisa had to turn it over, and we of course needed a final group picture - now a tradition. After taking the shot with the camera on a timer and propped on our 'camera cooler', a lady in the parking lot offered to take a shot for us.

Our kids and good friends

It was a sad moment to see them driving away - Davids grin and Lisa taking a picture. (Luke was probably thinking about the next time he could tag Molly, and Nikki was probably back in her 'hole' in the back seat where she slept most of the 14 days. Just kidding, Nikki!)

We traveled almost 4,000 miles over 14 days as one family sharing experiences that will never, ever happen again for any of us. (Lisa - I know you're crying here. I have a few tears myself.)


But I can't stop the blog here.

We headed out for our last 30 minutes of driving and to drop Mom off. As we were leaving mom's, the luggage and stuff shifted in the back, and Abby asked her now infamous last question 'Was that the bread?' We cracked up. 

To explain, when we were in Glasgow, MO, exactly two weeks prior, Molly and I went into Charlies Market to buy food for the family reunion (which was a laugh of its own). I hadn't had the time to make anything or the space to bring it anyway. I bought chips, dip, salami, cheese, crackers for the reunion, and bread to go with the PB&J I had packed. That loaf of bread traveled, not only with us, but throughout the van as we unpacked and packed at each stop. During the 14 days, three slices were eaten, but no one even considered throwing it away. It is now our 4,000-mile-loaf. So, to have Abby break the silence and ask with a concerned voice about it, was just hilarious. Plus, I think we were delirious after the 12 hours in the van. We are always talking about how we spend a lot of time in five square feet, even with at 2,600 sq ft house, but this long with six of us within the confines of a van, put us over the top. Of course our laughs didn't stop until we pulled in the driveway - ready to put our feet on the ground at home. Well, Abby actually laid down in the driveway, but she's a nut - what can I say. Needless to say, the dogs were so excited to see us - running from one person to another. It also didn't take long for the girls to head back out to friends houses as Molly and Abby were gone in 30 minutes. Teenagers.


Thanks to all of you who went along for the ride with us - as Marianne calls it -armchair travelers. All I can say is - Woohoo What a Ride!