Alaska or Bust - Day 1 & 2

No Friday Night Leftovers... instead, I begin my journal/blog about moving to Alaska with 3 small children, my hubby, a truck full of our stuff and the fun & craziness along the way.  I certainly don't want to forget a moment of this.

Day 1 – Navarre, FL to McComb, MS
Finally our road trip began today. Although we were sad to say goodbye to our family this week, Brian and me were anxious to start the roadtrip which begins the next adventure in our lives up in Alaska. After getting everyone fed, dressed and the last minute bags/stuff packed into the car, we left home right around 8am. The boys drove in the truck and the girls and I headed out in the van. I know, right? How did I end up with the two kids that cry and whine the most? In all truth, the girls weren’t bad at all… at least at the beginning of the day.

We made it down the road for about 2.5 hours without having to stop. Once we did, we hit a McAllisters deli for an early lunch in Gulfport, MS … simple lunch, plenty of space and a quiet place for me to nurse Marilyn. We pressed on from there and made it to New Orleans to drop off my van at the military vehicle drop off center so it could be shipped up to Alaska. Again, not a long stop… just enough time to get out, stretch our legs and let the kids play with all the toys they had for children. The last leg of yesterday’s trip was only about 1.5 hours up I-55 with all 5 of us in the truck. Needless to say it was good to finally have everyone and everything in one vehicle and to be heading north together. Of course it was cozy but it was still good. Our day ended with us pulling into McComb, MS around 3:30 and checking into our hotel.

 Yes... Abby has fallen asleep here with a toy in her mouth.  No... I don't know how in the world one does that?

Unloading our goods (and boy was there a lot for Brian to haul in) and then grabbing some dinner consumed our early evening hours. We had hoped to take the kids for a swim, but it was just too much to do on the first night. Getting the kids ready for bed in a big bed was the big event of the day/night. OH. MY. GOD. I guess they were so excited to be in big beds and together… but it took forever for them to settle down and just go to sleep. It was comical, frustrating and downright ridiculous how long it took but finally everyone was fast asleep and our first day ended in success.

Day 1 = 325 miles
Total trip = 325 miles


Day 2 – McComb, MS to Blythville, AR
Everyone got a good night sleep. Thank goodness because the exhaustion from yesterday was high.

This morning started at 6am when the troops woke up from their big bed experience. However, unlike when Brian and I would travel with just the two of us and we got up, showered, packed and then grabbed breakfast out the door… traveling with 3 young kids is totally different. It took us 2.5 hours to do all of this. Jeez. *sigh* OH well, 12 more mornings of that.

As we made our way into northern Mississippi today, we started to notice (and admire) the rolling hills and the greenness of everything. The countryside really is beautiful in this part of the south. I’m so anxious to see what the rest of our country looks like.

It’s funny that already of just one day of traveling, Brian and I have figured out what was a waste to pack, what fits into the cab of the truck and what doesn’t and finally… what keeps each of the kids passive, content and QUIET. For Thomas… he is enjoying some movies on his personal DVD player complete with his headphones (we don’t hear much out of him) and also just looking out the window at all the things we are passing. For Marilyn… her NUK and being able to see her big brother and sister. However, for Abbigail… not much works. Her whining is almost nonstop. A few things that do please her for a few minutes at a time: her little baby with changeable clothes, drawing in Mommy’s little black notebook, and looking at a few of her favorite books. However, movies do not interest her; relaxing is not appealing to her. I asked Brian this morning what is worse: giving in and letting her have her NUK during the car ride or giving her lollipops to appease her and keep her quiet for a few minutes? I know that is horrible to say but the whining is horrible. Oh well… one more thing that we will work through. Actually, we have discovered already that Abby’s best time is the late morning (because she doses off) and the early afternoon (because she has just eaten lunch).

The day seemed to go by quickly. We saw a lot of fields today… not sure all that was being grown out there but I can tell you for sure that we are in the rural and agricultural heartland of America. It really is wide open spaces out here. Can’t wait to see what the rest of Arkansas and then Missouri look like tomorrow.

We finished up in the car today shortly after 3pm and checked into our hotel. Brian and I have already started to refine our hotel “unloading routine” and the process has already become quicker and more efficient. With that said, we had time for the pool and we followed it up with a Chinese food dinner. We splurged tonight and got a pay per view movie (Rango) for Thomas (and the rest of us) to enjoy. The bedtime routine also went smoother (and quicker) tonight than last night…. I guess the newness of a hotel and a big bed has worn off slightly. Thank goodness. All the kiddos are fast asleep and the peacefulness is bliss.

Tomorrow we are headed towards St. Louis and then will rest our eyes in Columbia, Missouri. Wish us luck.

Day 2 = 351 miles
Total trip = 676 miles