She had other plans for us today...
We left snowy (but not snow-ing) Lincoln, NE around 10 am. It was my turn to drive, and I took the wheel with confidence and lots of coffee. I really prefer driving. As the one in charge of the van, the driver gets monopoly on the radio. Score. I promptly plugged in my iPod and subjected the poor riders to my eclectic musical stylings. We hopped from Beatles, to Motown, to Regina Spektor, to Sara Bareilles, to some weird (but good) music my Beau had given me. Looking in my rear view mirror to change lanes, I caught a glimpse of the gang...most were head phoned and sleeping...so I took that as a sign to crank up the tunes and sing my little heart out. We were clipping along until we got into Iowa. Then it began. That pesky white stuff started as a pretty little dust, to a full on storm. Luckily, the roads were clear and the snow didn't seem to be sticking. We stopped somewhere in Missouri for lunch, and I made a phone call to my Mama Joyce to set up an impromptu side trip. We were about 4.5 hours into the drive and I decided I was done for the day, so I gave the keys to the next person on the list. We set out and were making pretty good time, when we all heard (and felt) what sounded like a gun shot inside the van. One of the gals sitting over the back left tire exclaimed, "I think we blew a tire." with a wild horse look in her eyes. We pulled over (in the snow) and our driver got out (in the snow) to check the tire (in the snow) and it was indeed blown (in the snow). We bundled up and all piled out of the van to assess the situation. About the only thing I was assessing was how flipping cold it was outside. I wouldn't even describe it as "snow"...it was like fiery ice chips shooting at your face. The lone male in our group set in to get the job done, with some help from a couple of the ladies (I decided the best way I could help would be to stay out of the way). At first it wasn't too bad. Then my toes started to go. Then my fingers. I eventually wrapped my (very thin) scarf around my head to keep my ears from falling off. I think the word "babushka" got thrown around, but hey...it was doin' the job. It didn't help that whenever a semi whizzed by it blew not only a huge gust of frigid air our way, but muddy snow ick as well. It is safe to say we were all slightly miserable, BUT we. could. not. stop. LAUGHING. My roommate and I are actually laughing right now after watching a video she took on her phone of the whole fiasco. She just ran to the bathroom by the way, to avoid a giggling accident! SO anywho, after much giggling, and huddling for warmth, the tire eventually got changed and we piled back in the van...45 minutes later. We decided a hot chocolate stop was a must. The next exit was our haven and we plodded in like weary, wet soldiers of the open road. Really, we were all just cold and whiny...one of us even sans pants. Don't worry, she had on a really long coat. ;) We were a sorry, but generally cheery sight. I guzzled down some hot cocoa once in the van and away we went. Everyone was much quieter this leg of our journey. All of us a little waterlogged and in need of a van nap I think. We made it to Springfield well after dark, but relieved to have made it.
After a very hot, very long, very un-green shower I collapsed onto my comfy Hampton Inn bed. I never thought I would appreciate a bed that has probably been used by hundreds of people so much. Ew...don't think about it...don't think about it.
Tomorrow is a day off. Sleep is coming very soon. Like, now.
a) this is the best picture of you I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteb) that music is not weird.