We Left the West

This morning we left the west. I have evidence.

Well, ok, technically we were still in the west in this picture as I had not yet driven across the river. But once you cross the river heading east, you can't get a picture of the arch, because it's at your back. I was happy to be heading east, but let me tell you, those traveling west this morning had a doozy of a traffic jam, which would have provided them with an incredible photo shoot opportunity. In my mirrors I could see the arch and all of Saint Louis bathed in beautiful pink morning light. It was gorgeous! Almost enough to make me turn around and head west to get my picture. Almost! Then again, no picture is worth sitting in Saint Louis morning traffic! I got through by the skin of my teeth and was a bit in awe that I had escaped so easily!

Barreled our way through Illinois. I am so thankful to that state for doing away with their ridiculous split speed limit! It's so nice to be able to drive 65 like every other vehicle on the road, instead of the previous truck speed limit of 55!

Now if only CA, WA, OR, MT, ID and so many others would follow their example! Unite for uniform speed limits!!!! It's so much safer, not to mention makes for more pleasant travel for us!

And a few hours later we crossed the Ohio River...

...into Kentucky! Back in the southeast where tea is sweet and accents are sweeter. Where there's a new niece waiting for me to come hold her and a beautiful Montana bride waiting on a beach in Florida for her big day!

Nashville is just over the hill ahead, and Chattanooga is a couple more hours. An evening with my parents and then a road trip in a rental tomorrow.

Y'all say a few prayers for my girls, and my parents too while your at it. The "GrandLady" and "GrandMan" are puppy sitting for us. The girls don't know yet that they are about to get dumped for FOUR days and three nights. I'm not sure who I'm more worried for. My dogs who have never spent more than one very traumatic night apart from us at a time, or my mom and dad who are liable to have a nervous breakdown before we return from Florida if Ella and Toby can't figure out  how to get along or at least give each other space and not bark at each other the entire time. It's so hard leaving the kids. How do parents do it?