Adventures on the road!

Texas.  It's a state the we know well, at least the Eastern part of the state.  Twice a year, we make the trek.  I know the route like the back of my hand.  Sometimes we leave at 5AM and travel the 14 hours in one day.  Sometimes we leave later and stay at a hotel along the way…we know the best hotels that allow dogs.  Because we always take our dog.  

Two adults, three children and one 85-pound dog…in a mini-van that can seat seven.  It's not too bad.  There's no DVD player, but we bring plenty of books on tape.

So we set off early on Dec. 23 for our semi-annual trek feeling confident that we would make it by bedtime.  Things were going well.  Six hours into the trip and we had already listened to one complete book - The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  I highly recommend it.  

Suddenly, the van started lurching and jumping.  We were in rural Alabama, miles from the closest town.  We pulled off the Interstate and headed toward town.  Just as we arrived in Atmore, AL, the van completely died.  Nothing.  

But we were safe.  And some nice men pushed us to the side of the road and gave us the name of a wrecker and repair shop.  We waited…and waited…and waited.  An hour later, the wrecker finally arrived.  

 The five of us rode in the cab with the driver, while Farley stayed in the van.  At one point we looked back and he was "driving" the van.  He was in the driver seat while the van was moving.  It was so funny.  

And we waited and waited some more.  We were in the lobby of the shop while Farley stayed in the van.  We cut crafts and colored, read magazines and did jumping jacks for entertainment.  For four hours we waited, (and the kids were wonderful) only to find out that the computer in our car had died and a new part would have to be ordered.

The closest car rental location was 30 miles away and the only car available (and we were thankful that there was even one car available) was a Chevy Cruz.

Five adults, three children and one 85-pound dog in a Chevy Cruz with 10 hours left to drive (and a return trip to look forward to).

It was hilarious.  I seriously spent the rest of the trip laughing.  Poor Farley. He was wedged on the floor behind the passenger seat.  I'm not sure who had the least amount of space.  It was a close call between Derrick (whose seat was so far forward that his knees were in his lap) and Farley.  

 Finally, Farley tired of sitting on the floorboard, so he jumped on the kids' laps.  And proceeded to roll down the window and almost fall out...at 70 mph.

With nowhere to put his head, the back of Derrick's seat became comfortable.

Our saving grace was the large trunk.

Oh boy were we thankful to return to Alabama after the New Year to retrieve our van.