Are We Crazy?!

Yes, you read the subtitle correctly...our family is driving from Charlotte, NC to Anchorage, AK! I'm starting to think we're crazy, too--after all, this trip will consist of about 10 days of driving! Let me start from the beginning... First of all, I realize our daughter looks like she lives at a trailer park. She just got out of the bath and saw that I was taking a picture of our starter pile of luggage and she ran over in time to say "cheese".

Roy's dad needs to get a suburban to Alaska. So in late January, Roy asked me if I thought it would be fun to take a road trip out there this summer. At first my reaction was shock and awe that he would even suggest such a thing, and then...I thought about it. What other time would we be able to take a nice sight-seeing trip of the USA with just one child? The next day, I told him that I thought we should do it. Well, the next month I became pregnant with baby number 2. Although it has been an extremely easy pregnancy (I constantly forget I'm pregnant), the idea of sitting in a seat for 12-14+ hours a day--currently right at the 6 month mark into my pregnancy--alarms me!!

When I have told people about this trip, I have had two responses:
1.) "Are you crazy?!" and
2.) "Wow! That's so cool! You'll have so much fun together!"

I keep focusing on door number two. So, to prepare for our trip, I have made sure everyone riding in the Black Bandit has exactly what they need to make them content and somewhat happy. We purchased portable DVD players for Caroline to immerse herself in watching movies all day if she so chooses! This is the one time I am not going to feel guilty for having my child watch too much TV. Those of you who disagree, you try taking a road trip with a 2 year old trapped in her car seat for hours upon hours! And per Roy's request, she has kid-friendly headphones. Apparently he doesn't feel like hearing the Disney princesses sing about love and adventure all day long. You can see the pure joy in her face in the above picture of her showing off her DVDs and headphones! She also has an endless supply of coloring books, books, an etch-a-sketch and other educational supplies, for those of you who may be worried that we are going to fry her brain on Disney and Sesame Street. Oh, and we can't forget Bitty Baby. She is also along for the ride.

Roy requested books on CD. He loves them, but they have to be about business or real estate. So for Father's Day, Caroline bought him 5 LONG books on CD. Too bad he can't wear headphones while driving. I searched Charlotte and Ebay looking for an XM Radio car kit for his XM Radio, but had no luck. Sorry, Roy. Maybe we can find one for you along the way.

I have my DVD's to watch (FYI, Blockbuster has a pretty good late fee policy, so I rented all the movies that I have been wanting to see for months). I also have 4 books to read and of course, my "trash" magazines, as Roy calls them. I prefer to call PEOPLE, InStyle and the others " pure entertainment and insightful reading". Thankfully, I also have the internet. So don't worry, I will make daily entries to this blog as long as I can get a signal! Roy also had the brilliant idea of making a "bed" for me and my pregnant self in the suburban so I can lounge if I get too cramped and swollen. I'll have to take a picture of this and post it soon. All I can say is that my husband is a genius! I think he remembered my pregnancy with Caroline, when I became swollen from our annual Christmas road tour and I broke down when I couldn't put on my new slippers due to my enormous ankles and feet.

But first off, we are making a pit-stop on Saturday in Lynchburg, VA to visit my family for the 4th of July. It is also my parent's wedding anniversary on July 1st. They are celebrating their 40th year of wedded bliss, so all five of us girls, our four husbands and all 8 of the grandchildren will be there to party with them!

So, enjoy our blog and come back often for daily details, experiences, pictures and recaps of our fun packed days along the US Highways!