Day 8 - "Home James, errrrr David"

I forgot to read the "heartstrings clause" in microprint in the vacation itinerary. It says, whenever grandparents (specifically Merdies and NaNas) have a desire to see their grandbabies, it supercedes all other plans. With that being said, Jean and Gail used this clause to veto the Gettysburg stop, just like the broadway show option too.
As I mentioned in the previous post, the Howard Johnson's was a last ditch effort to find a room during the hurricane like conditions that were blowing through the mountains of PA. It was a large hotel (2 floors) but it was definitely dated. (Don't read this part Kellie) Gail found a live roach in their bathtub, the tile around both tubs had mildew/mold in the grout, there was a mold ring around the toilet bowls, and the rooms were quite warm which took the a/c half the night to cool the rooms. They obviously had not used this wing of the hotel recently and weren't prepared for travelers to be diving off the interstate seeking refuge. However, the sheets were clean and the pillows comforted our weary heads. We had planned to wash clothes, but no washer/dryers, so Gail and Bob's clothes could stand in the corner by themselves. Also, no elevator on the property.... you guessed it, we had 2nd floor rooms which required a 2 flight walk up, less stairs than the NY apartment and not as steep and narrow, so we survived.
The continental breakfast was okay, cereal, yucky bananas, and "cop food" YES the donuts were fresh and melted in my mouth, yummmm. During the meal, Gail and Jean stocked up on cream cheese, jelly and utinsels for a planned picnic later (we had bought bologna, salami, bread and chips at the WalMart in Hazelton, and I found a 6 pack of Birch Beer-my childhood favorite soda)
We also saw Santa in a "kilt", he was obviously forced out of the skies, the previous night too. As we were checking our, we saw him again wearing a green Santa Claus Convention t-shirt. I didn't know he had conventions for his elves :)) We followed him out of the hotel driveway; he was driving a Chrysler PT Cruiser-- what color you ask... why of course, Red with White Convertible Top and a "Santa4U" vanity license plate. As we mentioned this to each other, he and the car just seemed to disappear, he must be out checking on all the good little boys and girls.
We actually drove right past Gettysburg 45 mins later.... oh well.. saving that for another adventure because we had to make Florence SC by sundown. We picked the Holiday Inn Express (our fav) for its decent breakfast, reasonable rate and a washer/dryer... gotta get those clothes washed. Jean and I had 3 suitcases between us and enough clothes for probably 2 weeks, Bob and Gail kept to the 2 suitcase rule.... they are so obedient. (HA HA)
We had our bologna(Gail & Dave), salami (Bob) and cream cheese and jelly(Jean) sandwich picnic in I-95 rest area in southern Virginia. I made the mistake of parking in the buses only parking area to be close to the picnic tables as it was beginning to rain. The rest area "parking nazi" warned me that I would get a ticket if I left the van there and directed me to the front of the building. Well that was a trick because as you know, most rest areas are "one way" in and out. Hmmmm, what to do, I just whipped it around into the employee parking area off the outbound driveway and hopped out. I knew the nazi wouldn't bother it because it was raining and I read somewhere in the history books that parking nazi's melt in the rain like the Wicked Witch of the West. The picnic went well, refreshed, invigorated and wide-eyed we were off like a herd of turtles, because traffic had slowed to a crawl since we cleared Washington DC. Advisory signs said it would clear at exit 160 and sure enough when we had crept to that exit, traffic started to move steadily and eventually we got back up to cruising speed. The was no accident, police activity or other reason for the delay... my theory to the group was someone said "its Sunday, let's choose exit 160 to back up traffic today"
After that we made good time and arrived at our Holiday Inn at 8pm. A very nice hotel. We passed on the indoor pool, and opted for food and decided to try Zaxby's Chicken where none of us had ever eaten before. Actually, though a little pricey for fast food, it was not bad (Bob said he'd eat there again) and we did get plenty of food for the money, plus it was cooked to order.
We had hauled our Scrabble game this whole trip and hadn't had a chance to play, So this was the night, we would play while the clothes were being washed. Boys against the Girls, no holds barred, well not really like a steel cage wrestling match, but close LOL More on this later in the wrap-up epilogue wrap-up. Let me just say that the result was not exactly a bloodbath, but the cream did rise to the top :))