The Indy 580

Lesson One:

Do not begin your cross-country trek with 12 hours in the car--unless, UNLESS you are fortunate enough to have gracious, easygoing, generous hosts waiting for you at the other end.


The motorcade rolled out of Alexandria almost on time (new for us!) and we were off!  Traffic is not bad at 7am in the DC area on a Saturday...


Here is another travel tip for driving cross-country from DC: Plan as much of your route west through West Virginia as you can. Sen. Byrd's many decades of service in Congress has its physical manifestation in the infrastructure of the Mountaineer state...should be good for a couple decades more.



Another fun fact...the Wendy's in Cumberland, MD is open at 9am, but does not sell breakfast. They will sell you a granola bar of some kind-um, no thanks. Turned out to be a good thing: we got an early lunch at some WV Cracker Barrel, in all its Americana splendor.

A little time out of the car.

Ah... Cracker Barrel

Then back to the road! We're not sure what the kids clamored for more--the candy stash from Cracker Barrel, or "are we in Indianapolis yet?"

Rest areas are less for rest and more for running around!  A very nice gent from the Ohio Rest Stop asked us if we didn't want to explore the path through the woods.  It's probably lovely, but a game of tag was really what everyone needed to get the wiggles out!






But it was all worth it when we pulled into the Weber's driveway to a very warm welcome, and a very welcome glass from Paul's famous wine collection.

Maria and Isaac Weber

Off to the great state of Iowa...