Day 1 to DC: Ohio is too big

On Saturday morning, I woke up at 5:15, got in the shower, got ready, put stuff in the car and suddenly realized: I've not been up this early in I-don't-know-when.

It was then I knew the only thing that would resolve this problem: coffee.

A quick trip to Starbucks for refreshments and I was off. First stop, picking up Blanche and then to FitnessNerd's house to pick him up for the drive to the airport. Our trip would include a car rental, a mini-van specifically, and all the way there I hoped and prayed that all of our luggage would fit.

A veteran of many a road trip, I've found that sometimes the hardest part of a trip isn't the trials and tribulations of the trip -- it is the packing of the car with hopes that everything fits. This trip was no exception -- five adults, one child and luggage for 25.

To add to the madness, we needed to pack air mattresses, pillows and blankets because we are staying at Mom's brother's house in Virginia. While the house is plenty big to house us all (total count: 7 adults, 2 kids, 1 dog), sleeping arrangements were limited. Thus, the need for extra bedding and even tighter quarters in the van made for interesting packing arrangements.

Now is the time where I espouse the virtues of our van. While I've never owned a van, I've ridden in plenty over my years. This van is spectacular. It is a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country with stow and go seating. The stow and go saved the day -- all pillows and bedding fit neatly inside and then there was plenty of room for the other luggage throughout the car.

The trip started out with three stops in three hours. After that, the drivers (FitnessNerd and I) made a rule that there were no stops until food and/or gas was needed, with bathroom breaks as absolutely necessary. It was then we started to make decent time.

After being in Ohio for what seemed like three days, we finally crossed into Wheeling, West Virginia. FitnessNerd and I were trading our driving back and forth every few hours and the roads had been clear and clean. Ohio had much more snow that Indy, but as we drove further and further into West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, the snow diminished with each passing mile. The only thing that changed: the scenery.

The Appalachians were rising before us and it was then that FitnessNerd told me he did not like driving in mountains. He wanted to ride the brakes all the way down the mountains and I had to encourage him to only use them sparingly -- as I did not want our trip to end in a fiery heap at the base of a mountain. I took over at this point and drove us into Virginia.

Two highlights of this journey -- seeing the Appalachian Trail and Cumberland Gap. As a student of American history, the Cumberland Gap was always defined as the gateway to the west. Driving through, on perfectly maintained interstate roads through this area I could not help but wonder how thousands of early Americans drove wagons, cattle and horses through this area to venture 'west' and to parts unknown. It was then I decided I would have made my fortune by setting up shop in this area and would have been content not to travel any further.

The Appalachian Trail was another highlight. I've had friends and relatives travel all or part of the AT but to see it myself, even a small portion, was moving in a way I hadn't ever considered. Looking over the terrain around me, it was then I realized what a feat this was and understood the pull of the trail.

We arrived last night in Vienna, VA around 8:30. We had stopped for lunch, stopped for dinner, and a million small stops in between. After unpacking the van, the five of us (Maestro, Blanche, FitnessNerd, Mom and I) headed to a local sports bar, Glory Days, for a celebratory beverage and appetizers. After toasting to our successful journey and eating better-than-average bar food, we ended the day back at Mom's brother and sister-in-law's house, asleep by 11.