The preparation for the trip actually went fairly smoothly. Of course I didn't get all of the cleaning done I had wanted to before I left, but when do you really ever get that stuff done. I was able to hook on our trailer without any really big difficulty and we left around 2:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
All was going well on the trip for about the first 15 minutes, that is until the tailgate for my trailer flew off while I was going 75 mph on the freeway between Tooele and Salt Lake. (Apparently the pins had not gotten put in, so it was just kind of hanging on to the back of the trailer.) Luckily no one was behind me and the gate landed right in between the lanes on the road. While watching it bounce and fly out was exciting enough, then the realization hit me that there was no one else to walk back the 150 yards to get the tailgate and drag it back to our trailer but me.
So, down the side of the freeway I ran (well, more like tried to run...I was 9 months pregnant) to try to get to the gate before any more damage happened to it or the car. I had to make a made dash to the middle of the freeway to pick the thing up and try to haul its some odd 50 or 60 pounds to the side of the road before anymore big semi's came roaring down the road and hit me. Next came the 150 yard trek back to the van and trailer. I admit, I had to stop several times and even felt a little like crying, but I made it back. I decided that I didn't want to have to repeat this whole scene again somewhere between Salt Lake City and Pocatello, so I decided to put the tailgate in the back of the van. So, again I hefted the heavy gate up and threw it in the back of my van. Got back in the van, back on the freeway, and promptly called Landon to warn him that if I called back in the next 45 minutes and was in labor, we would know why.
After about another hour on the road I was starting to feel pretty good and my body was not hurting anymore. I was feeling really good about the trip when suddenly the traffic on the road came to an abrupt halt just outside of Malad. I figured it was a wreck or construction but that we would get going again without too much hassle. Once again, how naive I am. Our fate was not to be sooo easy. It took us 45 minutes to go just over a mile to the Preston exit where they made everyone get off of the freeway and take a detour. Mind you, this was not a short detour, but a very long detour that took us on a long and winding road through the mountains to visit all of the little back towns in Southeast Idaho until we could finally get back on the freeway again at Downey. (If you are not familiar with SE Idaho just know that this added about another hour and a half onto my trip, not to mention a lot of miles.)
About half way through this detour Ellen informed me that she had to go to the bathroom. I told her that the first gas station we came across we would stop. We went about another 15 minutes with still no gas station in sight and I started contemplating stopping on the side of the road to let her pee but decided against it since there was no good place to pull over and there was a stream of cars behind us that would have gotten a nice flash of Ellen going pee with her 9 month pregnant mama helping her crouch on the side of the road since there wasn't really any cover anywhere either. Another 15 minutes went by when Ellen informed me that not only did she have to go pee, but she also needed to poop. Now, we could not stop on the side of the road because I had nothing to wipe her with. We drove on, still no gas station in any of the small towns we drove by and after about another 15 minutes Trevor has begun dancing in his seat and tells me he has to go pee. It was still about another 15 minutes before we got to Downey and finally found a gas station. We had to wait about 5 minutes to cross the road to the gas station since the traffic to the freeway was backed up going the other direction, detoured just like us. I have to say I am sooo proud of my kiddos. Both of them held it and did so without too much whining.
After getting back on the road at Downey we were home free the rest of the way to Pocatello. We were able to get to Pocatello by 7 p.m. That's right, a drive that should have been 3 hours took us 5. We all survived, and our van worked properly, so really I guess I shouldn't be complaining.
We were greeted in Pocatello by a very happy Aunt Annie who had pizza and corn on the cob waiting for us, which was good because we were starving. (I hadn't really planned on being on the road that long so I didn't pack a whole ton of snacks.) We spent a couple of hours chatting before Annie and Jason had to hurry off to the store to get some things for Jaycee's upcoming birthday that weekend. I stayed behind with my kids and Jaycee and just let them play. My boys of course wanted to play with the trains and the girls went upstairs to practice out outfits for Jaycee's party, hula theme. The girls decided that they wanted to get the boys in on the fun as well. Trevor would have no part of it, but my Levi was more than happy to oblige. They dressed him in a hula skirt and Jaycee even made him a fire stick that he was to wave around.
That night, all four of the big kids slept in the basement bedroom. It was really fun to see them getting to spend time with their cousin again. Jaycee has always been one of the favorite cousins at my house.
In the morning there was more playing with the trains and a yummy breakfast thanks to Uncle Jason.
There was also some really good time to get to snuggle with Eve and reacquaint ourselves with each other.There was also plenty of time for packing up our things as well as getting the rest of the baby things from Annie that we would need to welcome our new little one: the bassinet, baby girl clothes. Jason was also able to fix my bent and beat up trailer tailgate as well as load me down with a set of bunk beds and a twin bed with mattresses thanks to Annie's boss, Dr. Huneycutt, all for free.
Some last minute pictures were taken to remember the stay...
Aunt Katie and Eve
The Dixon Sisters
The three Kunz grand-daughters. The last time there would only be the three of them.
This picture was being set up by Jaycee who was getting a little frustrated because my boys were not the best cooperators. They kept getting distracted, go figure.
Then, we were off to the park for the Hill Family Reunion. It was really good to get to see so many of my cousins and catch up on their lives. All of my Aunt and Uncles were also there so I was able to get an update on how everyone was doing as well as give my grandparents hugs. My kids also had a lot of fun playing with their second cousins. It was fun for me to see them playing and remember doing the same thing at the Eschler family reunion. I was sad that none of my siblings were able to make it, except Annie for a very short stop by, but the time spent was well worth it.
We were back on the road by late afternoon, after having Landon check to make sure that the freeway was open, and prayed that our return visit would not be as strenuous on my nerves and patience. The return trip was fine and we were all very excited to see Daddy when we got home who had dinner waiting for us.
That night Landon was able to set up Ellen's newly acquired bed. She spent the next day and a half telling her Daddy thank you for her bed and saying how much she liked it. It was a successful and enjoyable trip that I am glad I made. Even if it was soo close to my due date.
1 comment:
you're a crazy lady. i was so nervous for you just reading about it. glad you had a fun time overall!
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