My Thanksgiving 2008 Road Trip

Over the river... through the woods...

And up Interstate 85.

My family hit the road this Thanksgiving for the first time in many years. We were invited to my nephew's home in Haw River, North Carolina (near Burlington) to have Thanksgiving lunch with his wife and two sons, his dad (my older brother), my parents and my niece's parents and grandmother. It would be a house full of folks. Fortunately my nephew had built a new home big enough for this Crabtree crowd.

I had the feeling it would be an adventure.

We brought our two dogs along. This was my idea so my wife wouldn't worry about Jackie and Teddy while we were gone.

The dogs' travel cage took up a lot of space in the back of our SUV, plus we had to bring a large cooler to transport foods Gayle had cooked that needed to stay cold.

When it came time to pack a large platter filled with dressing, we were officially out of room.

The platter ended up in the front floorboard under Gayle's legs. It couldn't have been comfortable, but she was a real trooper and didn't complain.

By 8:30 a.m., we were on the road, only 30 minutes later than I planned.

I saw quickly this was not a trip for speeding on Interstate 85. State troopers were on the road in force in both South and North Carolina, and buddy, they were pulling people over. I kept my speed in check.

Our first big event of the trip happened at a North Carolina rest center just above Concord.

The four of us went to the restroom, then Gayle and I put the dogs on leashes to walk them in the dog exercise area. After ten minutes or so, we put them back in their cages, got in the car and prepared to blast off again. But we noticed something...

We hadn't watched our step closely enough as we walked the dogs. The dog lovers ahead of us had not cleaned up after their little loved ones.

The next thing you know, I'm heading back into the restroom to wash shoes.

And if I may paraphrase Dr. Seuss: Oh, the stares! The stares! The stares!

Okay, we're back on the road. A couple of miles... and we run into our next big event. The traffic... stops.

We creep for miles.

I figure there's an accident ahead of us. Turns out there was, but it was on the -other- side of the road. Our side's traffic was at a crawl due to rubber-necking. The Highway Patrol had even put a state trooper in the median to wave our northbound traffic on, the first time I'd ever seen an officer used that way.

We made it to my nephew's home and enjoyed a terrific meal. After visiting with the family for a few hours, it was time to head back... a beautiful day, a fine Thanksgiving.

By the way, I stepped in mud there. I had to wash my shoes... again!

I decided I was tired of driving, so daughter Lauren got behind the wheel for awhile.

When I awoke from a short nap, I noticed we were passing everyone.

Lauren drives faster than me.

At the South Carolina Welcome Center, I got back behind the wheel. We made it home just fine. The dogs had been good travelers on their first extended trip.

Things were fine at home, but we realized we'd forgotten something important. There was no food prepared at -our- home since we'd gone to eat Thanksgiving elsewhere.

What to do for dinner? The pizza places were closed. Our favorite Chinese food restaurant was closed. Everyone seemed to be closed.

Everyone... except Jack-In-The-Box.

So after a home-cooked Thanksgiving lunch, our dinner was Jack-In-The-Box burgers and fries.

Fortunately, they were good. Just seemed like a strange swing of the food pendulum.

The day ended by watching the Sylvester Stallone movie "Rocky" for what must've been the 100th time. I almost know all the lines. And I still love it. Yo Adrianne!

Thanksgiving 2008. Mine was a watch-your-speed, watch-your-step, see the family, how do you want your burger road trip.

I hope yours was filling and fun.

Stay tuned to see what Christmas brings!