Summer vacation in California Montecito by Ann Wood part 15
They got up early the following day at five and showered before breakfast. They sat down to breakfast at six o'clock, then washed the dishes and put them in the cupboards. They loaded the jeep with provisions for the journey at seven o'clock, fed the animals, and left for Las Vegas. Paul would drive, the United States left Virginia. I joined the I-81 S in Daleville from US-460 W 1 h 34 min (83.8 miles). And then they headed south on State Rte 640 to State Rte 692 1.9 miles. Turn right onto State Rte 626 3.4 miles. Annabelle was talking on the phone with a colleague from the newsroom. Turn left onto the VA-24 W 7.8 miles. Turn right to enter US-460 W / VA-24 W towards Lynchburg and continue on US-460 W 44.4 miles. They continued straight on US-221 S / US-460 W / Blue Ridge Ave 4.5 miles. They continued on US-221 S / US-460 W 16.4 miles. Turn right onto US-220 ALT N / Cloverdale Rd and continue on Cloverdale Rd 5.1 miles. They continued on US-220 N 0.1 miles.Using the right lane to take the I-81 S / US-220 S connecting road to Roanoke 0.2 miles. Follow I-81 S and I-40 W to Las Vegas Blvd N in Las Vegas. Take Exit 75 of I-515 N 32 h (2230 miles). They stopped refueling and drinking coffee. After resting and using the toilet, they set off again, Annabelle driving after the break. They entered the I-81 S 6.2 miles and held to the right to stay on the I-81 S, and they entered Tennessee 219 miles. They took a new break for lunch and took turns. They had sandwiches with tea and raspberry juice. They rested for a while and then set off. Eveline drives after the break. They took exit 1B to enter I-40 W to Knoxville.
53.5 miles. Keep right to stay on I-40 W at the fork, follow signs for Nashville 157 miles. They stopped for the night in Nashville, went through a supermarket to get something for dinner, and bought the necessary products they had run out of. They made tacos and salad for dinner. After eating, they found a parking space and stopped for the night. They watched T.V. and went to bed at ten.
When they got up at seven, they had breakfast and set off again the next day. Cynthia took the driver's seat and turned on the radio to hear the new ones. They kept to the left at the fork to stay on I-40 W, following signs for Huntsville / Memphis / Interstate 65 S 3.4 miles. They took the exit on the left to stay on I-40 W to Memphis 197 miles. They stopped drinking coffee and bought a newspaper and crossword puzzles. They used the toilet and then set off. Paul would drive; they kept to the right to continue on I-40, following the signs for Little Rock 11.3 miles. They kept to the left at the fork to continue on I-40 W, following the signs for Interstate 40 W / Little Rock, and they entered Arkansas.
10.5 miles. They kept to the left at the fork to stay on I-40 W, following signs for Little Rock 123 miles away. They decided to stop and have lunch at a burger king. They took burgers and fries and Pepsi. For dessert, they took a banana pie with vanilla ice cream. They died, and Paul decided to drive again. They adhered to the right on the fork to stay on I-40 W, following the signs for U.S. 65 N / Fort Smith, and they entered Oklahoma 319 miles away. They found a parking space in a truck parking lot to spend the night. For dinner, they went to eat at the restaurant in the parking lot. They ordered ribs with country potatoes and a salad of cabbage and carrots. There would be live music and a quiz and bingo at the bar. They stayed for the program and stayed until the restaurant closed at one in the morning. They went to the R.V., went to bed, and fell asleep. During the night, it rained, and a storm came out. The cat and the dogs were restless; Cynthia got up to feed them and put them to sleep in the room they used for an office. He made himself some tea and sat down in the living room to drink it, wrapped himself in a blanket, and launched a Titanic. He looked a little and fell asleep on the couch again. They woke up at nine, had breakfast, and set off Paul driving.
They kept to the left at the fork to stay 13.3 miles on the I-40 W. Keep right to stay on I-40 W, following signs for Amarillo 4.7 miles. Sticking left to remain at I-40 W 0.1 miles. Keeping to the right to stay on I-40 W, they passed through Texas and
entered New Mexico 536 miles away. In the middle of the road, they rested and refueled. Then they continued on their way, Paul still driving. I continued on I-40 W and
entered Arizona 328 miles away. Before continuing, they stopped to rest and have lunch again. After they had eaten, Evelyn got behind the wheel to drive for 328 miles. They walked the distance listening to the radio. They decided to stop for the night and sleep. Cynthia made a rabbit stew for dinner. She had made the rabbit thaw at night when she got up to look after the animals. The others were watching T.V. and had unloaded the jeep for the night. They had dinner at seven and then watched a movie. They went to bed at ten in the evening, and before going to bed, they took a shower to freshen up. The weather was stuffy, they turned on the air conditioner, and Paul locked all doors and put the alarm on.
They got up at seven, had breakfast, and got ready for the trip in the morning. Paul would drive to the left to stay 142 miles on the I-40 W. They took exit 48 to US-93 N / W Beale St 0.4 miles. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for US-93 N / Las Vegas / AZ-68 W, merge onto US-93 N / W Beale St, continue on US-93 N, and cross Wendy's (left) 49.0 miles. They continued straight to stay on US-93 N, and they entered Nevada 20.7 miles away. Continue on I-11 / US-93 N 14.6 miles. Keeping to the left to continue on I-11 N 8.7 miles. They continued on I-515 N 12.8 miles. They took exit 75 for Las Vegas Blvd to Downtown Lv 0.3 miles. Continue on Las Vegas Blvd N. Head N 6th St to Las Vegas Blvd N 5 min (0.6 miles). They used the two left lanes to turn left on Las Vegas Blvd N 0.2 miles. Turn left onto Stewart Ave 381 feet. Turn right on N 6th St 0.2 miles, and turn right again on E Fremont St 364 feet. Turning right at the 1st intersection of Las Vegas Blvd N 348 feet, they reached their final destination Las Vegas Nevada, United States. They found parking for heavy trucks and caravans and parked. They would stay for a day or two before continuing their journey. They unloaded the jeep and got into the R.V., drank tea, and Evelyn set out to make lunch, fry sardines, and make a potato salad. And for the wine, he cut appetizers and white cheese. They had lunch at one and then went to the market. They bought fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, olives, water, juices, and coffee for the machine. They went home and unloaded the jeep with their purchases. They made lemonade and sat down to freshen up because it was sweltering outside. Then they went to the nearby gym to use the pool and sports machines. There was also a Zumba and yoga club; they visited both groups and had a lot of fun. They stayed in the gym until it closed at ten o'clock, then on their way home, they dined in the bistro on the corner next to the parking lot, which was open 24 hours a day. When they got home, they took a shower and went to bed.
When they got up in the morning, it was raining outside, and it was gloomy and cold. They got dressed and went down for breakfast, made princesses with sausage and yellow cheese on a party grill, tea, olives, sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and pickled cheese. They had breakfast and then decided to tidy up the kitchen, and Cynthia began to clean the bathrooms. Evelyn made the beds, changed the sheets, and let them wash. Annabelle and Michelle worked on the cupboards in the kitchen while Paul changed the sand from the animal toilet. It was ten o'clock in the morning when they finished, and they sat down to drink tea and played the news on the radio.
Evelyn then cooked spaghetti bolognese with mushrooms, bacon and sausage, garlic bread, and lettuce. Cynthia made a cake with grated quinces and walnuts, and vanilla cream. They had lunch at one, and then Michelle washed the dishes, made tea, and served it in the living room. It was still raining outside, and they were watching a movie, then they were playing monopolies. Paul set the ribs in the oven to bake at five, and Annabelle made grilled vegetables and a potato salad. They had dinner at seven, and before that, they watched Hell Kitchen America. After dinner, they watched the voice of America and Sam at home the four episodes. They went to bed after midnight, and they were on their way again the next day. They decided to go to Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
During the night, the rain stopped, and they got up at six, took a bath, and had breakfast. Cynthia made sandwiches and pizza for the trip, made a thermostat with tea and one with coffee, loaded the cooler bag with drinks and water. They loaded the jeep and locked the cabinets and the P.B. They got in the jeep, and Paul got behind the wheel; they came out of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Turned on I-515 S / US-93 S / US-95 S 2 min (0.5 miles). Head northeast on Las Vegas Blvd N to E Ogden Ave, past 7-Eleven (right) 0.2 miles. Turn right to enter I-515 S / US-93 S / US-95 S 0.3 miles. They took I-40 E to US-287 S in Amarillo. They took exit 78 of I-40 E 12 h 30 min (867 miles). They drove for about 4 hours and stopped to rest and have lunch. They ate pizza and drank strawberry tea and juice. They refueled and used the toilet, and watched the new ones. Two hours later, they set off again. Paul decided to drive until the end of the 867-mile run. Paul drove for another eight hours, only stopped using the toilet once, and ate sandwiches. Before reaching the roundabout, they stopped at a turnoff to take turns, and Evelyn sat down to drive. They entered I-515 S / US-93 S / US-95 S 6.4 miles. Keeping to the left to continue on I-515 S 3.8 miles. Keep left to stay on the I-515 S 2.9 miles away. They continued on I-11 S for 23.0 miles.
Continue on US-93 S, and they entered Arizona, decided to spend the night and continue in the morning. They found parking for heavy trucks and outside the city buses. They made potato and vegetable soup and ate the sandwiches. After eating, they took a shower and went to bed early, and they were on the road for more than 16 hours.
They got up early, refreshed themselves, and had breakfast in the morning. While they were having breakfast, Annabelle had put sausages to grill on the way and washed a few tomatoes and cucumbers, fresh fruit, tea and coffee, and cookies. They set off in seven Annabelle driving 69.8 miles. At one turn, they stopped to change, so Annabelle was not feeling well. Cynthia sat down to replace her. Using the two left lanes to turn left to merge into I-40 E / US-93 S towards Flagstaff / Phoenix, they continued on I-40 E, and they entered New Mexico and drove about 435 miles. At one turnoff, they stopped for lunch and changed. After eating, they used the toilet, and Annabelle went to bed. An hour later, when she got up, they left again. Paul drove, and they continued on U.S. Rte 66 1.2 miles. They continued on I-40 E as well
entered Texas 325 miles away. They took exit 78 to US-287 S.
0.4 miles. They continued to Wichita Falls. They took the I-44 W / US-287 S exit from the US-287 S and drove three h 8 min (212 miles). At the turnoff at the gas station, they stopped charging and spending the night. They dined on the soup from the night before and the rest of the sausage. After eating, they took a bath and went to bed.
The following day they got up early for breakfast and set off. Continue on US-287 S. Take I-20 E; parts of this road may be closed at certain hours or days.
Passed Dairy Queen Store (149 miles left)
211 miles. They took exit I-44 W / US-287 S to Wichita Falls / Ft Worth 0.6 miles. Continue on US-287 S. Departed on I-20 E, U.S. 49 S, US-98 E, I-10 E, and Florida's Turnpike to W 41st St / Arthur Godfrey Rd in Miami Beach 21 h 15 min (1456 miles). They drove 7 hours with only one break to have lunch and use the toilet. They bought six 10 liter bottles of water from the rest station. Also, a bottle of 2 liters of milk, margarine, and butter, three sliced bread, and yogurt. Then they set off again; Paul drove another 6 hours, stopped at a gas station, and refueled. They made hot sandwiches on the party grill and drank blueberry juice. Then they watched the news and went to bed. At three o'clock, Cynthia got up and made moussaka and stuffed peppers for lunch and dinner. He also washed the clothes that had gathered. He made princesses with minced meat and yellow cheese for breakfast, but he would bake them later when the others got up to keep warm. The others got up at six, and she turned on the oven to bake the sandwiches. They had breakfast and left at seven-thirty, and Paul was driving again for a little over eight hours at one stop to rest and use the toilet. They drank coffee with cookies and watched the news on Michelle's tablet. The dogs and cat slept in the back of the trunk. It was raining outside just as Paul was driving again.
At the roundabout, they entered I-44 / US-287 S 2.4 miles. Continue on US-287 S 104 miles. They stopped for lunch and changed, ate moussaka; Cynthia had put a portion of each in a box, ate, and given the animals pellets and water. They used the toilet, and Evelyn sat down to drive. They paid a toll using the left lane to take the connecting road to the I-35W S. It is possible that parts of this road were closed at certain hours or days before the traffic policeman. They were driving 2.3 miles. Keeping to the left, they paid the toll again; the policeman and at that checkpoint warned them that it might be closed at certain hours or days 0.6 miles. They took exit I-820TEXpress E, paid 1.2 toll road again. They continued on Texas 121 TEXpress / Texas 183 TEXpress paid again for toll road
10.3 miles. They took exit TX-183 E to the left to D.F.W. Arpt / Irving
here again, they paid 0.8 miles for a toll road. Keeping to the left to continue to Texas 121 TEXpress / Texas 183 TEXpress again paid 1.5 miles for a toll road. Supporting to the left to continue on Texas 121 TEXpress / Texas 183 TEXpress, where they again paid 8.8 miles for the toll road. They kept to the right at the fork and followed signs for TX-12Loop N / I-35E N 0.3 miles, and they entered TX-183 E 4.4 miles. Entered the I-35E S 5.0 miles. Keep right to continue on Exit 428A, follow signs for I-30 E / Texarkana 0.8 miles. Continue on E R L Thornton Fwy 0.3 miles. Continue straight to stay on E R L Thornton Fwy 0.1 miles. Using the left lane to merge into I-30 E on the connecting road to I-45 / Texarkana / Houston 7.0 miles. They kept to the right at the fork to continue on US-80 E, following signs for Terrell 19.1 miles. They continued on the TX-557 Spur E 4.6 miles. They got on I-20 E, and they got on Louisiana
253 miles. They found a parking lot and stopped for the night. They had dinner and took a shower before going to bed. During the night, it rained and cooled the atmosphere a bit.
They got up early the following day, had breakfast, and set off at seven. Paul would drive to the left to stay on I-20 E, and they entered Mississippi 119 miles away. They kept to the right at the fork to continue on I-20 E / US 49 S, following signs for Hattiesburg / Meridian 0.1 miles.
They took exit 47A to enter U.S. 49 S to Hattiesburg
2.6 miles. Slight right onto the U.S. 49 Frontage Rd
315 feet. Small left onto the U.S. 49 Frontage Rd 0.3 miles. Continue straight on U.S. 49 S, and pass O'Reilly Auto Parts (right at 5.8 miles) 80.1 miles. Using the right lane to merge into I-59 S on the 8.1-mile connecting road to New Orleans / Gulf Coast. They took exit 59 to US-98 E / US-98 BYP E 1.2 miles. Continued under US-98 E / US-98 BYP E, and
continued on US-98 E, then passed Dollar General (76.2 miles to the right). You enter Alabama 85.8 miles away. They stopped refueling, eating something for lunch, and taking a break from the trip. They ordered hog dogs and burgers with fries and Pepsi. After eating and drinking coffee, they set off again. Paul sat behind the wheel again, turning slightly left on the W I-65 Service Rd N 0.1 miles away. They used the right lane to flow into the I-65 S connecting to I-10 5.4 miles. They took exit 0 on the left to enter I-10 E to Florida,
entered Florida, and drove 342 miles. They started to rest and use the toilet. Annabelle called her mother to hear her, and then she called Michelle's parents. Evelyn called a colleague from school to tell her about the trip. Paul and Cynthia checked their emails and made several phone calls. After talking to her parents, Michelle spent the dogs and the cat going to the toilet before leaving again. He gave them water and pellets, washed his hands, and got in the car. Cynthia sat down to drive, and they set off again.
They took exit 296A to knit in I-75 S to Tampa
108 miles. Keep left at the fork to continue on Florida's Turnpike toll road
40.8 miles. They kept to the left to stay on Florida's Turnpike toll road for 161 miles. They continued on the FL-91 S / Florida's Turnpike toll road 0.4 miles. They continued on Florida's Turnpike
toll road 48.3 miles. Cynthia turned on the radio and sang to him. Continue on the FL-91 S / Florida's Turnpike toll road
223 feet. We continued on Florida's Turnpike toll road
14.6 miles. They took the exit to I-95 S 8.2 miles. Using the three right lanes to take Exit 4 to merge into I-195 E to Miami Beach 4.8 miles. They walked along Pine Tree Dr to Collins Ave for 9 minutes (2.3 miles). They continued on W 41st St / Arthur Godfrey Rd and passed Burger King (right) 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Chase Ave 0.2 miles. Turn left onto W 37th St
0.3 miles. Turn right on Pine Tree Dr 0.8 miles, and turn left on 23rd St 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Collins Ave.
0.6 miles they reached Miami Beach, Florida, United States. They found a parking lot for caravans and parked, unloaded the jeep, and entered the police station. They washed and had dinner. After dinner, they went to bed because they were tired from traveling.
Short story by Ann Wood
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Written on 2021-12-15 at 13:44
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