Saturday morning my husband, Lily, and I rode 750 miles with my mother-in-law to pick up two cars and drive them back home with us on Sunday. Saturday was a sweet set-up for me: I brought a bed tray (with legs, like you’d use for eating breakfast in bed) which I used as a portable desk for a laptop and mouse. It was a sunny day; I had some good study time with my web design book; and basically Lily and I sat in the back seat and did our own thing (I studied, she ate Fruity Cheerios).
The way home yesterday was a whole different story: Lily and I were in one car and my husband in the other; it rained the first two hours of the trip; it was a struggle just to stay awake without adult conversation and the ability to switch drivers. Fourteen hours in the car is a lot of time to mull over things you see and hear along the way, such as:
- What happened to Marathon candy bars? They were one of the all-time greatest candy bars, including an awesome ad campaign. Follow this link for the story, which includes a link to let M&M/Mars know if you would like to see a Marathon comeback. I also discovered that Marathon John was Patrick Wayne, John Wayne’s son.
- What messed-up marketing directors decided that energy drinks should be Goth and creepy looking? Even while desperately trying to stay awake on our trip, I wouldn’t buy any of that stuff.
- According to the billboards, Tupelo, Mississippi, is “the PLACE to GO.” Elvis would be so proud.
- What kind of lives do the owners and employees of “adult superstores” (not to be confused with baby superstores) live? Are there modern-day leper colonies for these people? Owing to the depravity of man, I’m assuming these are fairly financially-successful businesses. I just can’t imagine telling your neighbors that your family owns the local “adult superstore.” I could make a speculation regarding the apparent need to print the signs for these “establishments” in humongous print, but I might endanger my good standing in the Family-Friendly Blogroll.
- I can listen to George Strait sing “Run” over and over on the For the Last Time: Live from the Astrodome CD.
- There are neighboring towns in Alabama called Guin, Gu-win, and Brilliant.
Home Sweet Home trivia question:
What state am I in if I see signs for “Toad Suck Park”?
Add me to the George-Strait-is-the-best-traveling-music…best voice, nice lyrics–I love hearing my kids request and sing his songs. We all love him–I think I have all of his music on my iPOD. He’s what country music should be! I think one of my top 10 to-do’s in life is to see him at the Houston rodeo. I know, I dream big. He he!
What a trip! Glad you made it home safely.
Jolie
Dawn! You are sorely missed when you are gone..even if I was puney yesterday, you always cheer me up…George is not one of my favs, but Rascal Flatts I can blast all day! It was so funny seeing your children with so many different families yesterday!!! The girls were right up front…and perfect! Cute!
Trivia answer: I cheated because I googled it, Arkansas. Right?
ITA with the energy drink Goth theme. I guess they figure teens would want to look cool holding those cans. Yeah, I say “Whateverâ€.
I have never had Marathon candy bar, and it looks like I never will 🙁
I laughed about one telling their neighbors they own an adult superstore and about your speculation. Yeah, I can speculate as to your speculation.
I get “stuck” on certain CDs for days (ALL day every day). It drives my son nuts. Currently it’s Harry Connick Jr.’s When My Heart Finds Christmas
No Cool Story: You win! Yes, it’s Arkansas, even if you did Google it. I don’t think you can complain about having a hillbilly, uneducated image if you have “Toad Suck Park” just outside the state capital. Just my opinion (which I’m entitled to make since it’s my home state).
Doris: I love that Harry Connick CD, too! A couple of years ago I got his second Christmas CD, Harry for the Holidays, which is good but not as good as the first one.