Travel updates

Victoria and I left Chico at about 8:30 pm Thursday night and got into Pace, FL about 9:15 Friday morning. We knew Cori was in the hospital and Nate was with her but our real intent was to surprise Mama. As it turned out the surprise was almost on us. Mama and the kids were leaving the house just as we were arriving.

If the Lord had not held Mama up in her intended departure she and the grandkids would have been long gone on their way to the beach. But, as it turned out, we passed them as they were leaving the neighborhood – they did not see us, but we saw them. So Victoria called Mama and asked where they were going. It only took a moment for Mama to realize that we had to have seen them so she asked where we were. We were right behind them.

Mama pulled over and everybody got out – right in the middle of a driveway to a high priced apartment complex. Fortunately we only irritated three drivers who were trying to get into the complex. We all turned around, went to Cori’s house and unloaded, then headed to Pensacola to surprise Cori and Nate. The kids could barely contain themselves. We were not exactly the most quiet group as we wound our way through the hospital corridors with Nate guiding us to Cori’s room.

As it turned out, Cori was sent home that evening so we are still waiting on Savanah but that did not spoil the surprise. The doctor on call did not want to induce Cori’s labor at what he considered too early a date based on her original due date. They did determine that the baby weighs very close to eight pounds and based on Cori’s very pregnant belly, it will happen any day, but only as the Lord determines.

We went with Mama and the kids to the beach that late morning – after visiting the hospital. The beach was crowded and very, very hot. Mama did not bring any shade device so I tried sitting in a chair mostly covered while they enjoyed the water but eventually returned to the little van, opened the doors and slept in the shade provided there. The breeze through the open doors was enough to keep me from being completely drenched with sweat. Having been up all night traveling made Friday a blur but at least we were with Mama, safe in Florida.

Traveling through the night had its issues but all in all I think it was better as far as traffic, temperature and the number of times we were required to stop. Limited stops resulted in limited spending as well. We made the trip in just over twelve hours including three stops for gas and one for the bathroom only. We spent less than fifteen dollars on food items.

Victoria drove for about two hours – between 2 and 4 a.m. Those are always my most difficult hours. I slept that entire time. I drove the remainder of the time and was very pleasantly surprised (and thankful) that the Lord kept me alert and engaged.

Saturday was a catchup day for since the rain kept us from the beach. We swam in the neighbor’s pool for about an hour and took a very long nap. Sunday was good, but we missed our church.

Today, I think we are going back to the beach to roast some more.