Yesterday was a strive and drive day! There was no time for lollygagging or funny business!
We drove out of Pittsburgh into yet another summer thunderstorm accompanied by sheets of rain. We had to pull off of the road onto emergency turnoffs or rest stops several times and wait out the storm. We experienced the same weather in Maryland. Yesterday was our shortest travel day and our last travel day though! Bethany Beach or bust!
As we left Pennsylvania and entered Maryland, Dan captured this picture of me trying to photograph the “Welcome to Maryland” sign. We missed it. We laughed so hard we had tears rolling down our cheeks.
We switched drivers in Maryland and I drove us through Baltimore and over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This bridge is long (over four miles) and high (525 feet). It makes me nervous to be a passenger crossing this bridge never mind the driver. My adrenaline rushed from tip to toe. You have a spectacular view of the Chesapeake though and for us it feels like our gateway to the beach as the smell of salt air and the expanse of sailboats scattered across the bay engulf your senses. Once across, you are on the DelMarVa Peninsula which is the largest peninsula on the east coast. It’s pretty difficult to capture a picture that doesn’t look like a blurry concrete barrier so here is a photograph that I found to give you an idea of what the bridge looks like and how high up you are. It’s pretty spectacular.
After we crossed the Bay Bridge, we received a message from Grandma and Grandpa saying that (what Dan has called “Operation Capture the Eagle”) was successful. They made it to Dulles Airport to pick up Evan after finishing his five day trip in Washington, D.C. Here is a picture of Evan and Grandpa. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for taking time out of your crazy week to pick up our guy and battle rush hour traffic all the way home. You guys are the best!
After crossing the Bay Bridge, we switched drivers. At this point we would like to give a shout out to our co-pilot Chew Chew Bear. He was a trooper from start to finish. We had some long days and wet pit stops. He was a good boy and traveled well. This was his favorite place to rest. I mean, look at that face…
To make up for all of the welcome signs that we missed, we hopped out of the car at the most important one, “Welcome to Delaware!” We must have looked crazy.
Here are Dan and I on Grandma and Grandpa’s deck toasting to our journey and safe arrival! We made it! We drove from the Pacific Ocean to Atlantic Ocean in five days!! Five of the best days of our lives!
Today we received an email from Evan’s Vice Principal, Mr. Olson, whom was the lead chaperone on their D.C. trip., saying that it was a fantastic trip and that he felt like this group was the most inclusive, connected and least clique-ish group he’s ever lead. Boys mixed with girls. 7th graders mixed with 8th graders and different personalities blended well together throughout the trip which was great to see. He said they rallied around each other all week. Here is a picture of their clan on the steps of the United States Capitol. Evan is sitting in the second row, two in from the left and to the right of his math teacher, Ms. Cotton. He has his hat on backwards, is wearing shades and is making the cowabunga sign with his hand. I think he’s ready for the beach. You can’t miss Mr. Olson front and center in the green tee. Massive man. Bigger heart. He has been wonderful to Evan from day one.
When Ev got home last night he showed us some of the pictures that he took during the trip that we hadn’t seen yet. He’s edited some with cool filters. The first two are from inside the Capitol.
We are so thankful that we were able to give Evan this experience. He has some great stories and even more memories. I just LOVE all of these smiling faces!
Today, Ev got to “Chase Some Waves” of his own!
“People don’t take trips…trips take people.” – John Steinbeck
Chasing Waves 