Travel Journal 1

Saturday, August 1, 2009
7:30 a.m.

Waking up in Annapolis is a beautiful thing—even after a rough night. I think I only slept for about 3 hours. Ugh.
I woke up thinking about the verse in the Bible where it talks about God enlarging one’s borders. I feel like my borders are being expanded. God’s broadening my horizons so that I will eventually be confident enough in Him to go out into the wide, wide world. Truly, he’s already at work—a continuous process that I have really begun to recognize over the past three years.

9 a.m.
We’re on the road again—headed to Baltimore to see Poe’s grave!

10:15 a.m.
We’re in Baltimore! I still can’t believe we’re on our way to Boston. Leaving Poe’s grave—our first literary stop.

10:33 a.m.
Harvin’s driving, Haley’s reading Anne of the Island, and I’m sucking on cough drops. Since we’ll be in Salem tomorrow, my reading material for the day will be The House of the Seven Gables. Appropriate, yes?

11:50 a.m.
Got a text from Dr. Thompson. I wish she were with us. I just connected the name of the journal she gave me (Explore New Boundaries) with what I wrote this morning. Another affirmation from God that He is indeed at work. What an adventure!

(We’re in Delaware now.)

1:27 p.m.
We just stopped in Bellmawr, NJ for lunch on the run at Subway. People in this town are CRAZY. Lots of angry, cursing motorists are vying to get back on the turnpike. Lord, help.
And it’s official—I’ve entered the land of unsweet tea. Apparently, these northerners think green tea is an appropriate substitute. Uh, wrong; they’re just plain wrong.

2:47 p.m.
We hate New Jersey and its bloody turnpike. We’re currently stuck in ten miles of backed-up traffic. Ugh. In order to pass the time, Harvin and Haley are playing with the GPS’s settings. Instead of a car icon rolling along the road, we now have a colorful beach ball bouncing along the turnpike—and a British voice to add a bit of cultural flair. J

3:54 p.m.
Passing Newark airport (and IKEA)! Still hating New Jersey though we did finally get out of the traffic jam. I’m ready to leave this state behind and see New York. After seven hours on the road, I’m finally feeling a bit better. Hallelujah! HopefullyI’ll be able to sleep tonight and be ready to roll in the morning.
4:35 p.m.
We’re in New York—driving over the Hudson River on the George Washingotn Bridge, looking out at NYC.

5:23 p.m.
“Connecticut Welcomes You.” This state has some beautiful scenery. Hooray! We’re only one state away!

7:40 p.m.
We’ve crossed the Massachusetts state line!!! 64 mile to Boston! Stopping at Cracker Barrel for dinner (yes, southern food for our first meal in MA).

10:55 p.m.
Checked into our hotel...crashing now. Good night!