Sunday, funday - 562 miles 'til home

Not so bright-eyed and bushy tailed, we piled into the car, ready for the ten plus hour drive that would bring us home. My cousin and his family waved as we backed out of the driveway and headed to the Beltway. I braced myself for traffic, knowing all too well how quickly it gets backed up.

Thankfully, and much to our surprise, we made it through DC, Maryland and Delaware without so much as a hiccup in momentum. We were spared heavy traffic right up until the last few miles of New Jersey, just before the GW. The lines of cars reached from the NJ side of the tolls to the opposite side of the bridge. This was going to add some time to our drive for sure.

Within minutes we made it across to the NYC side, much to my surprise. The delay didn't add as much time as I had anticipated, and soon we were moving at a good pace again. Then we hit Hartford traffic - always a joy. That cost us over a half hour, and the weather was starting to turn.

After days of sunny, hot weather, the sight of clouds and eventual rain made me want to stomp my feet in protest. I am made for hot, summer weather, so rain and dreary conditions definitely affect my mood. The last two hours felt like an eternity. We finally made it to the Piscataqua Bridge, and that is a sight that never lets me down.

There is something about driving familiar roads, seeing familiar sights, and walking through the door to whatever place you call home. It never gets old. Home sweet home, as they say, truly casts its full meaning when you've been away from your familiar surroundings for too long.