I tried my hardest to get off work early on the Thursday that we left so that I would have at least a little time to get last minute stuff done. However, it didn't happen. I just knew that I was forgetting SOMETHING, but we managed to squeeze all our stuff into Bessie (I honestly think that our Suburban trunk isn't nearly as big as it seems to be) and get on the road ON TIME!
Now, by on time, I mean by 3:30pm.. but to Hubs, that is considered LATE. "Early is on time, on time is LATE!" he is always saying to me.. and this is why he is always setting our clocks 15 minutes fast. Because I'm always LATE.. But you try getting yourself and 4 heathen children ready and somewhere on time! I'm telling you, it is impossible. So, the fact that we were in the car and on the road at exactly 3:30pm was a minor miracle.
We stopped at a random Cracker Barrel for dinner. What we thought would be an hour stop turned into a 2 hour one simply because it took them an hour just to bring our food. It wasn't even all that busy. I don't know what the deal was with that. But we got our tummies full and Boo Bear nearly beat me at a game of checkers and we were on our way once again without buying anything from the gift shop area.. another minor miracle.
Now, I've driven through North Carolina before back when Hubs was in AIT at Ft. Jackson, SC.. but I've never stopped. It is a pretty drive, but it was pitch dark by the time we arrived and Hubs didn't get to see any of the prettiness. He drove most of the way and did comment on how hilly and curvy the roads were. He apparently thought that they'd just blast straight through the mountains instead of going among them..
We arrived at the Country Inn & Suites (hotwire deal online) at about 1am or so.. I honestly don't remember other then it was really late and we were pooped!
Unfortunately, there was some sort of mix up and, despite the fact that it clearly stated 2 adults and 3 children (the max allowed on hotwire) we were given a single, King room. Yep.. just one bed. No pull out couch, nothing. Just one bed. There wasn't another free room in the place, so the girls camped on the floor and we got a porta-crib for Buds. We were too tired to care. At least the room was spacious.
The next morning we got up and ate a really good breakfast (seriously, their continental breakfast is pretty awesome!) and headed towards Penske Racing Headquarters. Hubs was in 7th heaven!
He was so impressed with how clean their shop was!
The kids thought that getting close to the race cars were cool!
Hubs got to talking to the receptionist there and she encouraged him to turn in an application.. He says he didn't care what he did, he just wants to work for Penske! LOL! He said if he just spent all day emptying trash cans he'd be happy!
We then went to the Nascar Hall of Fame. It was about lunch time so we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, which was connected to the museum. I got a black bean burger which was good except the server got my order wrong and then took forever to bring back the missing toppings. I don't remember what Hubs ordered. The kids got a bunch of appetizers and shared them. I gotta say, the fries were delicious but it could have just been that I haven't eaten fries in a long, long time.
Now, I wasn't looking forward to the Nascar Hall of Fame. I thought it would be boring and I would be spending my time trying to keep the kids from wreaking havoc upon the place. But I have to say, it was pretty cool! There were TONS of hands on activities for kids (of all ages, including adult sized children like Hubs!) to do! I was quite impressed!!
There was an exhibit on women drivers there that the girls though was cool!
I didn't know that the Hudson Hornet was REAL!
"Selfie" of me and the Hubs.
After the museum, we headed back to the hotel and asked if a different room had opened up. None had, so we walked over to the Melting Pot for dinner.
That was probably the most chaotic and stressful meal I had ever had in my life. Trust me.. do NOT take kids under the age of 13 to the Melting Pot. Just don't. I had to drink two Mojitos to keep from having a break down. It was yummy though.. what I got to enjoy of it anyways. Hubs and I definitely want to go back one day when we are kid free.
We took the kids swimming at the hotel after dinner in hopes of wearing them out but they continued to bounce off the walls until they crashed. We got up early the next morning, loaded up the car, had another delicious breakfast, and hit the road. We stopped at a Starbucks for a cup of deliciousness and it was the nicest, most efficient one I'd ever been in.
Some thoughts on North Carolina:
Now, I haven't visited the whole state, but I must say that I was impressed. It seemed like they were building some sort of park in the middle of Charlotte, which would be a pretty addition to the city. My favorite city I've ever visited is Indianapolis as far as user friendliness.. I'm unsure if Charlotte will have the same feel, but I got the impression they were trying to make it that way.
The roads were well kept and clean. And LANDSCAPED!! Shopping centers were all very nice and well kept. I seriously saw the nicest Goodwill and Dollar Tree in the WORLD! The people seemed nice (our server at the Melting Pot was a saint!) and we got the impression that they take a lot of PRIDE in their area! It reminded me of the St. Matthews area of Louisville.. very nice and upscale.. just without that element of snobbery. I have no clue if the whole of North Carolina is like that, but I saw a DISTINCT difference when we travelled out of North Carolina and into South Carolina. Gone were the landscaping and nice, clean roads. Instead, it just seemed.. dingy. Along the coast of Georgia it was kind of dingy as well. I also got very sick of seeing nothing but pine trees, pine trees, and more pine trees. Just flat land, garbage, and pine trees for miles. Not the most enjoyable drive.
Tomorrow, I will upload more pics and get started on the Florida portion of my trip report!
Woot! My DH has no student loans because of the GI Bill. 
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. I hope your trip home is safe and up eventful.
