After rolling up hill in neutral several times {and wondering if the locals ~ especially the farmer's house we were in front of ~ got some sick thrill out of laughing at us dummies that do this} we headed for our next stop ... Lodging.

The only pre-paid items on the trip: our first tank of gas & a one night stay at a hotel 4 hours away from home.

Now booking the hotel was quite the adventure in itself! I'm used to traveling for business & just taking the first thing that looks decent {or where the conference is being held} but these DS's of mine had a plan! They wanted a pool, and not just any pool ~ it had to look good in the pictures {hotels.com be aware!} & of course DS#1 requested a decent fitness center ... yes, he's much more ambitious than I! Then they needed to see the rooms & while that wasn't as important as the pool it needed to look like something they would want to live in {did I mention we were staying for 1 night?} :o)

We settled on a Hampton Inn with a great park right next to it & a full breakfast included! Quite the deal if you ask me!

Now finding our way from Gravity Hill to this adorable Hampton Inn was another 'extended scenic route' due to the fact that once we found the phenomena we weren't sure which way was which!

All in all it was a beautiful drive on a country road that paralleled the main Interstate. {always a good sign}

Let's just put it this way, whenever I'm driving ~ we always add a few hours to the trip & everyone learns to live by the mantra "we'll get there when we get there" :-)

Pulling up in front of the hotel was like Christmas for my kids! They immediately began noticing the lobby entrance & asking all sorts of questions like "where do you think the pool is?" & "how do we get to our room?" & "Mom! You can't just park in front of the door like that!"

They picked up the magnetic checkers/chess game they had been playing on & off all day & gathered up their shoes to head in.

At the front desk we found out that the "water side" room we requested was available after all & while we would be paying more for the stay I couldn't help but be excited with them!

Room key assigned, luggage dolly loaded & all my boys headed to the room while I parked the car.

By the time I made it up to the room they were all in swim trunks & waiting as patiently as possible for me to catch up!

To keep DS#2 from exploding due to his uncontrollable excitement I produced the beach ball I had picked up the week before & gave him the task of blowing it up.

Geesh, you'd think these kids had never been able to swim in a pool before! They're on the local swim team for heaven's sake!

After DH & I soaked our muscles in the hot tub & the kids had plenty of beach ball water polo we went for a walk along the board walk. Ahh, I love being away from home & knowing that I can relax my mind ~ even for just a few days!

Then while DS#2 & I rode the elevator up to our floor he looked at me & said "Mom, I really like this hotel. I'm so glad we could do this road trip!"

My heart melted & I barely got out "Me too" while my eyes were tearing up!

More to come...

TOAM