| Author | |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 10:57am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
The kids and I are going to drive 95 from DC to Florida in July.  . I'm so excited at the prospect. Not.
Anyway, I'm going to make it a two-day trip, so we have some time to wiggle. Karoline is a major screamer in the car.Mike won't be with me. If I hadn't promised my mother, I so would not attempt this. Can anyone suggest some fairly quick but interesting stops along the way, where we can get out and stretch and forget it's 95 degrees and humid and we're stuck in the van feeling carsick? Oh, and I guess a prayer or two for my attitude would be a good thing  .
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
No suggestions, but lots of empathy and prayers! Ugh! 
Is Michael going so you at least have another driver?
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 12:27pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh Elizabeth, my heart goes with you. We just did this drive. Granted it was with one child and two adults, but it was a killer. I do not want to do it ever, ever again with a young one that must be strapped in a car seat! So I will pray, pray, pray for your journey.
We did a two day stretch, but our goal was Clearwater, so we did have to break from 95. but our first day we drove all the way to Savannah. That is lovely to walk the streets, the Cathedral is gorgeous. We also drove to Jekyll Island as a side trip.
I can't think of other stops on the way to VA and NC and SC. I don't recommend "South of the Border". Dh is very good about taking long stops, and not racing against time. Rest areas are definitely a time to run around.
Try stopping in St. Augustine for Our Lady of La Leche shrine!
Anyway, I should be more positive. I was also newly pregnant (and didn't know it) and my nerves were on edge...so that's another factor. God's grace will help you through!
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 12:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Well, we went to Jacksonville a few weeks ago, and it really was a nice drive. We noticed the difference in roadside foliage from state to state and listened to books on tape mostly. Our idea of stretching your legs is walking to the BP gas station bathroom from the pump so I can't give you help there although I think South of the Border looks interesting. One thing I discovered on the way home (when 6 of us had the stomach flu) was that diapers make great barf bags.  Praying for your trip.
ETA: Stop early someplace with a pool to deal with the wigglies. We like that a lot.
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jenn,
Honestly, the only reason I'm not fighting this trip is I have list (from Bridget's sidebar) that I am determined to take to Our Lady of La Leche.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 1:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
South of the Border never appealed to me as a kid, though the billboards were entertaining. Rachel, did you do the drive in a day or did you stop? Jacksonville is our destination. If you stopped, where did you stop?
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MarilynW
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4275
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
For the last 7 years we have driven down 95 to Hilton Head in July (obviously not this year ) - and always done it in a day - left about 4.30 am and got there about 4. I have always dreaded it - especially the years of pregnancy nausea, nursing and potty training. But nobody else really seemed to mind. We always had great books on CD - LONG ones like On to Oregon and nobody wanted to switch them off. The year Matthew was 4 months old - was a toughie as we got stuck in a bad traffic jam - we listened to the one cd which kept him from screaming (Beethoven!) probably 25 times!!! One year I planned all these nature study stops on 95 - but they ended up being so far from the highway. I will have to see I can find my Triptik for that year - as my pregnant brain cannot remember.
My main survival tips (and I had dh driving!!)
- leaving early - so we were well into NC before breakfast
- packing breakfast - as wait times to eat anywhere are huge in the morning
- keeping baseball and soccer stuff handy for the rest stops to tire everyone out
- Cracker Barrel ended up being the best places for us to stop for a longer lunch stop - and the nicest bathrooms. (and we tried a lot of restaurants and bathrooms!)But even then we know which ones to stop at and which ones are a little dodgy
The first year we went everyone talked about South of the Border - so we stopped there - I really did not like it (but then I am not a fan of amusement parks or Las Vegas either). Now we do not stop - though the kids have competions about who spots the first sign and who spots the most signs.
I think it is North Carolina that has the huge billboads along the highway advertising "ladies" and "inappropriate services" - not sure how to put this politely. Really irritates me.
Re stopping - Charleston and Savannah are both such lovely places and not far off the highway.
I will pray for your trip. I am actually so relieved that we will not be doing the long trip this year (and actually not in future years either) - we are hoping to go to a much closer beach (VA beach?) for a couple of days in September.
__________________
Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 2:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
MarilynW wrote:
My main survival tips (and I had dh driving!!)
- leaving early - so we were well into NC before breakfast
- packing breakfast - as wait times to eat anywhere are huge in the morning
- keeping baseball and soccer stuff handy for the rest stops to tire everyone out
- Cracker Barrel ended up being the best places for us to stop for a longer lunch stop - and the nicest bathrooms. (and we tried a lot of restaurants and bathrooms!)But even then we know which ones to stop at and which ones are a little dodgy. |
|
|
We left early, too (4:30), and were able to eat breakfast in NC. We do Cracker Barrel for the same reason, but we do it for breakfast, also. If you stop by 7:00, you beat the rush.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
msclavel
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 26 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 781
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Wow! The farthest I have gone by myself with all the kids is Atlanta. Last year, when I was pregnant
We did your drive as a kid because my parents were married in the Cathedral in St. Augustine and my mom lived in Jacksonville for a short time. I don't remember much of the drive. But St. Augustine is beautiful. I think you all will love it. Lots of history including pirates and Spanish conquistadors.
I have never been to South of the Border and I was always so angry at my parents about that. Looking back, I totally get why they refused to stop there  . I do remember my parents always picking hotels with pools.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Rachel May
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 24 2005
Location: Kansas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2057
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 6:05pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We did the drive in 2 days. We left at about 9 and drove until 5:30 or 6. We stopped in Santee, SC. The Best Western was nice, and there are statues of an elephant and some cows right behind the hotel, and a Cracker Barrel a mile away. Cecilia LOVED the elephant. The second day we drove from 9 until about 1.
I think it's the Mexican in me that know that there would be some TJ type trinkets that make South of the Border appealing.
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 6:25pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Okay, so I'm not even going to attempt a one-day trip. I'm going to find a locator for all Cracker Barrels. I'm going to audible.com to download 24 hours worth of books on tape. I'm going to start a novena for my sanity now...
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
J.Anne
Forum Pro
Joined: Oct 24 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 303
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 6:58pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
If you put in the starting and ending zip codes on the Cracker Barrel website, they will mark your trip and all the CBs along the way. I  Cracker Barrel!
__________________
Jennifer
http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mrsgranola
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 17 2005
Location: North Carolina
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 442
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 7:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Elizabeth, you are more than welcome to stop here! I live about 10 mins. off of I-95 where it intersects with I-40.
Actually I do most of my driving on I-40, so much so that I had forgotten about those risque billboards someone mentioned! Yes, there are a few in this county and the next one down. 
Most of the cool stuff I can think off is not around I-95 but there is a new kids science center up the road in Rocky Mount or Wilson that I've heard is really good.
I'll see what else I can think of...
JoAnna
__________________
Mom to Jacob, Grace, Mary, Lucas, Emma, Carrie and Gianna
Parente Adventures
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
DivineMercy
Forum Pro
Joined: June 14 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 146
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 7:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Elizabeth wrote:
| South of the Border never appealed to me as a kid, though the billboards were entertaining. Rachel, did you do the drive in a day or did you stop? Jacksonville is our destination. If you stopped, where did you stop? |
|
|
Though I can't help much with the drive down, I do live in Jacksonville. A visit to St. Augustine would be wonderful to visit the shrine of Our Lady! And depending on your schedule, a visit to Immaculate Conception in Jacksonville would also be an uplifting one. I may be a little biased as it is my home parish, but it is beautiful and steeped in history.
There are not many rest stops in GA on 95, but the ones available are usually clean and safe. There is construction just about the entire way through the state.
We will be praying for your trip!
Love in Christ,
Michelle
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 7:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
One recommendation from someone who lives off of 95. Hopefully, you are not traveling Thursday through Monday for the first day. You do not want to be anywhere near 95 South from the Beltway to Fredericksburg, and even to Richmond, on those days. We avoid anywhere near 95 every weekend, all summer!
Make sure you leave early enough to clear Fredericksburg by 1pm on any day.
Coming from your way, we would not head down 95 but take back roads to 17, and take that to 95. If you are interested in some alternate routes, let me know. Court is the king of back roads and alternate routes!
I am just 9 miles from 95, just north of Fredericksburg. But I am sure it would be way too soon for a stop. There is a Cracker Barrel of of 234 West in Dumfries, and another in Central Park at Rt 3 in Fredericksburg.
And don't forget to call 511 on your cell for traffic updates.
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Elizabeth
Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5595
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 7:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Molly, you are scaring me.
I was planning to leave on a Friday and drive on Friday and Saturday. And then I was going to do the same thing in reverse on the following Friday.My grand plan was to leave right after lunch which is Karoline's regular naptime. That would get us to Richmond right in time for major traffic, huh?
I would drive through the night if it meant that she wouldn't scream but I am afraid I can't stay awake...
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 7:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
So sorry, Elizabeth! I'm glad Molly mentioned that. We lost about 2 hours coming home on Saturday through Richmond with traffic. Making good time until then...it was awful.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 9:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Elizabeth wrote:
Molly, you are scaring me.
|
|
|
Be scared! I am not kidding. 95 South on the weekend (Thurs-Mon) is a nightmare. The best you could do on Friday is to leave very early in the morning. I would still cut through down to 17, down 28 probably, and then to 95. Or even find a route that would put you further south on 95.
Can you go during the week? There are never any guarantees, but your odds are better.
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Leonie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2831
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 9:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Prayers for a safe trip!
I used to play Gregorian Chant in the car, to calm the crying babies. That, and family singing aloud ( and loud!) , helped!
__________________
Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
helene
Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 10 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 304
|
| Posted: June 17 2007 at 9:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Don't get tacos to eat in the van. Youwill regret it.
__________________
Happy Mom to five girls (20,17,13,11and 4) and five boys (19, 15, 10, 8 and 6)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Traveling along 95...
