First Day
We did as much as we could the night before, in order that we could get up really early to drive over halfway the first day. When it was just the two of us, DH and I could make the trip in 2 days. The first time we drove with children, it took 3 FULL days. Now we are back to 2 days. This first day was the “day of bugs”. I actually managed to A) have nearly everything packed the night before and B) not overpack. Yay me! All we needed to do at 3:30 was load up the minivan and go. Unfortunately, the interior lights of the van attracted some weird flying insects. DD 11 has a HORRIBLE fear of bugs. This is not due to any sort of childhood trauma; it just is. Also unfortunately, her fear is manifested in lots of hysterics and histrionics. After much screaming and crying by DD and some cursing from DH, we shooed the bugs out and were on our way.
Our normal plan is to leave by 4 AM and get about 20 miles down the road before we stop for breakfast at McDonalds. This was the first of several dining “adventures”. When we pulled up to our usual McDonalds, the lights were out (at a 24 hour restaurant). An employee helpfully informed us that the freezer was broken. So we got back on the road.
Luckily, exits (and McDonalds) are plentiful in that part of the trip. We continued on down the interstate to the next McDonalds, and got our breakfast. We continued through Illinois and made it to the Kentucky welcome center by lunchtime.
Another tradition for our summer driving trips is packing a picnic lunch to eat at a rest stop on the first day. We have stopped at the Kentucky welcome center in Paducah before, and it is lovely.
The problem was that this year we stopped at a major cicada hatching time. DD's fear of bugs kicked in, and she refused to sit outside to eat. DH was not comfortable leaving her in the car with the engine and AC running, so we all ate our lunch in the car and continued down the road.
We stayed just north of Montgomery that night. The Holiday Inn Express was new and had many outlets and USB ports.