As we left Florida, we headed back towards the mainland over a five mile long bridge. It is a bit nerve-wracking but being surrounded by the water is a pretty amazing site nonetheless. The wind whips in gusts around the bridge and as you drive, you see pelicans, seagulls, terns and various other birds, literally hovering beside the bridge, wings spread and motionless.
Once we made it back to the mainland, it was another thirty minute drive through the Apalachicola Forest. I wish I could say it was sunshine streaming through the trees and wildlife everywhere. It was not, it was grey, damp, and the constant rainfall was just plain irritating.
I don't truly mind driving through the rain, I mind Other People, driving in the rain. They drive like nothing is wrong with the roads and reaction times are the same. I know this for a fact, wherefore my old truck, puttering along at 55mph was enough to irritate the cars that did go whizzing past me. Oh well. It's not on my head if you wreck.
The rainfall continued all the way through Florida, and all the way into Georgia. We ended up getting a hotel for three nights in a small outskirt town of Atlanta, called Morrow. During this exhausting, rain soaked drive, we did however, listen to the audiobook of The Hobbit. It was read by Andy Serkis, who happened to be the actor who played Gollum in the Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit movies. He does the voices and accents and it was intriguing to hear it read. The boys made a point of stating that "He can't sing at ALL" but he gave it his best shot.
I wish I could say the story and the rain took my mind off the liquid fire that was my sunburn. It did not. I know it was wrong but I didn't bother with a seatbelt, I couldn't handle the pain from every twitch of the strap brushing against my collarbone and shoulder.
We drove for about five and a half hours, including stops for gas, so when we reached the hotel, it was pure relief. A cold shower was first on my list while the boys decided that sprawling face first on the bed was better.
After another two hours of letting myself decompress from the drive in the rain, we finally crawled back in the car and made for the nearest Walgreens.
Apple. Cider. Vinegar. It takes the heat out of any sunburn. Mother, I used to hate it when you used it on me a kid but by gods, it works. The kids were none to thrilled about the smell but within hours, the pain was almost gone and they felt much better.
I would love to say I worked and accomplished a lot. No, I ordered pho for myself and the kids, curled up in bed, and passed out for the rest of the night.
Sleep was calling my name and I was going to answer...
--Amie and The Boys