July 9, 2011

Emerald Isle, NC --> Dickson, TN

Happy Birthday, Billy!  It stinks to have to spend your birthday in the car.  Sorry, buddy. 

Billy:  Do you have a present for me?

Driving out of the driveway at 4:15 am has its advantages.  There’s no island traffic at that hour and we didn’t stop for the first 4.5 hours.  All the kids slept some in the car.  We arrived just west of Nashville at 4 pm.  We gained a time zone and didn’t even realize it.  The kids swam in the pool while I went for supplies (Coke Zero and peanut butter).  We ate dinner at one of those steak places that let you throw peanut shells on the floor.  All thought this was radical and very fun.

During the drive, I noted a few facts from looking in the visor mirror.

1. I do not look good after only 4 hours of sleep.  Where’s my lipstick?
2. I no longer tan.  I just freckle-up, in spite of my spf 50 and my hat.
3. My hair turns white on the ends, in spite of my hat.
4. That hat isn’t doing much for me.

The Smoky Mountains were pretty.  Gerry noted that the landscape looks the same on both sides, whether you are in Tennessee or North Carolina.  You don't get that in New Mexico.