Marietta to Richmond

 Friday, August 16, 2024

It's nine o'clock and we're out the door!  I had time to stretch and Ginger had time for a phone call with Andy!!  She puts our next destination, Jeremy and Cathy's house, in the GPS and we're on the road.  Jeremy is Ginger's nephew and he and his familylive in Richmond, VA, with their twelve year old son, Dylon.  We should be there around six.

Not bad for two weeks on the road!

Ginger has made a tuna and cream cheese spread and has brought crackers and lebne and peaches, so we're all set and hit the road running.  The miles tick by and the conversation flows and at one point we wonder at the fact that we never run out of things to say.  We pass a couple of interesting vehicles.  One is a little tear-drop shapes trailer with words painted on the back.  "I go where I'm towed to."  And there's a big semi with "inedible" on its rear end!  And a newly-engaged lady's car with hearts and "the future Mrs. Ransey" on its back window.

We are definitely in the Deep South!

We leave Georgia, cross through South Carolina, and stop at the North Carolina welcome station, where the ladies actually make us feel welcome in their southern accents.  They have abundance, clean restrooms and a water-filling station and the grounds are tree- and crepe myrtle-covered and invite you to sit and rest for a while.  But we don't!  We've got places to go!

I'm here, too!

Oooo!  mountains!

We make our second gas stop at a (I kid you not) Sheetz and notice something interesting.  The 87 octane unleaded gas is $3.49 and the 88 is $3.29.  Easy choice, except that's not one of the choices at the pump! We check out the convenience store - that's what a Sheetz is - and nothing calls to us.  Ah!  But there's an Aldi's right across the street and it's even easy to access! 

The check out kid is chatty and adorable, and we leave with a six-pack of an unfamiliar stout for Jeremy, breakfast bars for New York, and treats for the car.  Ginger and crunchy salties and I've got grape tomatoes and we're off again.

Interesting bridge!

Woohoo!  We're in Virginia and Ginger calls Jeremy to warn him that our ETA is still six o-clock. We follow Mr. GPS and we're at our destination right on time.  Cathy greets us at the door with Jeremy close behind.  I've met them both at Ben and Elizabbeth's wedding and as soon as we see each other it all comes back to Jeremy and me.  They are as charming as I remember and soon we're eating tacos and black beans and rice and corn and really yummy wings that they saved from last night (Thank you very much!) and having a wonderful, easy-going time.  

Dillon is going into seventh-grade on Tuesday and is ready to go back to school.  That's refreshing to hear from a young teen!  He's a really cool kid, very conversational and comfortable in his own skin.  He's at ease around adults and is also a talented athlete, playing travel baseball and leading off the line-up.

After dinner we go to the Windy Hill Sports Complex where they have batting cages, areas to practice your golf swing, putt-putt, giant Jengas, a giant Connect Four and live music! And it's the highest point in Chesterfield County, so we're hoping for sunset; but it's pretty cloudy and we're also a little late.  Oh well. Jeremy and Dillon takes turns in the batting cages and even score some free swings while the guy makes some adjustments.

Jeremy finds out that the musicians are taking a break, but he feels obligated to buy a beer while asking his question.  He learns that they are two men with guitars and are retired cops "so don't drink too much"!

They return and we listen for a while and then head for home, where the conversation continues until everyone starts to fade.  Jeremy tells us that he helps out with Dylon's team.  He's the "Dugout Daddy"!!

Jeremy offers the sleeping options and I tell Ginger she needs the guest room since she is doing the driving and I need her to be fresh in the morning!  I'm very happy on the couch where Jeremy says he often sleeps when Cathy is snoring! It's pretty close to midnight when the lights go out.   Dillon has to leave for a morning game at eight, Cathy has to go to work shortly after, and we're hoping to be on the road by nine, so it's definitely time for bed!  What a great start to this road trip!!