DAY ONE, part two: to Marianna, FL

DAY ONE, part two: to Marianna, FL


I-10 through the panhandle of Florida is not scenic…by any stretch of the imagination. We did drive over the Suwanee River, and of course I had to sing a few bars of “Old Folks at Home.” The skies have been grey and dreary, but it seems brighter ahead of us than it does behind us, and I am hoping that is an omen.

When we travel, I always want to stay awake and see what there is to see. Part of me does not want to miss a piece of the state or country that I might not get to see again. I envy my girls, sleeping soundly in the back, but I wonder if one day they’ll envy me and the sights that I have seen while fighting sleep in the front seat of the car. Currently, though, their little minds should be at ease, for all I have seen are trees and more trees. And that Suwanee River. 

The rain started around Tallahassee. It’s been pretty dismal driving in Florida. The best we can hope for is to get all the grey out of the way now. The next time we see precipitation I’d like it to be snow, for Ava’s sake. We’re pretty certain she’s never seen it, and Reagan can’t remember it. Those of you who know me know I’m not a cold-weather person, but this trip isn’t about me, so bring on the white and fluffy stuff, Mother Nature! Just wait until after Disney, please! ;)

For lunch we stopped at Po’ Folks. I think I remember one being in Orange Park when I was younger. Even though it’s a chain, I remember it had pretty good southern cooking, so I wanted to give it a try. It was a decent meal. We laughed about things like the “belly washers” and “naked chicken breasts” and “happy endings” on the menu. As I posted for my status, lunch was a success. Bellies full. Menu stolen.

Now I sit as we fill the tank and listen to my kids laugh and lovingly tease each other. I foresee stories during their adulthood about “remember the trip when Desirae’s pants were so tight we had to close our eyes when she climbed up to the loft?” Reagan just asked “Desirae did you wear those on purpose or on accident?” My sides hurt from laughing!

Memorable quotes of the day:

“John they forgot to add salt to the greens.” “Nope. They forgot to add flavor.”

“It was a TGI Fridays in Mexico. I’m pretty sure it was donkey-free”

“Mom, move. Your face is in the way of the ladder.” “So you’re saying I’m ruining your perfect camera shot of the ladder?”