If you thought I was in summer mode last week you were right - not only was I not posting, I was on a full-blown vacation!!
Back in the spring we decided to make every effort to have a family vacation this year. With me working, it seemed reasonable - we haven't been on a family vacation in 3 years, since I was pregnant with Toby! And finally, last week it was time to go.
In the middle of a heatwave, we couldn't have planned better weather, but we did not anticipate one of the most dramatic journeys to the shore!! (Remember the snow storm of 2010, when we were stranded at the airport on our way to visit family? This was almost the summer version...)
We hit the road with a quarter tank of gas, intending to fill-up on the way - it's cheaper on the highway in New Jersey than it is at home!! However, when we got to the one rest stop, half the gas station was closed and long lines were forming. Despite the light on the dash telling us fuel was low, we opted to keep going and get off at the next exit.
As we drove down the road away from the busy highway we were surprised to see trees down everywhere, and even more that the first gas station we saw had no power. Then another, and another until we finally realized the storm that passed over us the night before must have touched down right there! Sure enough power lines supported fallen trees and whole towns were without power. With temperatures soaring over 90f, stopping and waiting for a recovery vehicle was not a pleasant option.
With no end of damage in sight, we double-backed and headed back toward the highway - by now totally unaware of where we were, and without any GPS or cell phones in the power-less communities. I was driving and getting more agitated with each precious mile. Scott kept me calm and worked on keeping the kids happy. If I had not been driving I might have lost it!
There was no way to know how much fuel was left, or how we could even contact anyone to help us. We had no idea how far we could go, and so were effectively helpless. We prayed, and prayed!! We knew we might possibly need a miracle!
Eventually, after pulling into a darkened gas station we were told of an oasis - a gas station a half mile away that had been open earlier in the day. With little other choice we filtered into the heavy, painfully slow traffic and prayed. By this point we had shut of the air conditioning and had the windows down for some ventilation - but not much. Toby did not like this and let us know it!
Eventually we could see the gas station, and as we got closer we saw police blocking the entrances! They were directing cars into a parking lot across the street to queue for gas. It was so surreal. People were walking down the side of the road with 5 gallon gas tanks in hand!
We got in line, and Scott got some freezer pops out of the cooler for the kids and shared them with the car behind! From here Scott could push the car into the station if it died - but would there be any gas left!
After an hour and 40 minutes of driving around on "E" we pulled into a pump. "Fill 'er up!" Not a moment to soon as one of the pumps ran out and shut-down!
It took twice as long as it should, but we made it to the shore, so very ready for a vacation!!! We had a wonderful week with Scott's family and friends who were in town. Emma discovered her inner-mermaid, and we all enjoyed some rest and relaxation.
Pictures to come...
Back in the spring we decided to make every effort to have a family vacation this year. With me working, it seemed reasonable - we haven't been on a family vacation in 3 years, since I was pregnant with Toby! And finally, last week it was time to go.
In the middle of a heatwave, we couldn't have planned better weather, but we did not anticipate one of the most dramatic journeys to the shore!! (Remember the snow storm of 2010, when we were stranded at the airport on our way to visit family? This was almost the summer version...)
We hit the road with a quarter tank of gas, intending to fill-up on the way - it's cheaper on the highway in New Jersey than it is at home!! However, when we got to the one rest stop, half the gas station was closed and long lines were forming. Despite the light on the dash telling us fuel was low, we opted to keep going and get off at the next exit.
As we drove down the road away from the busy highway we were surprised to see trees down everywhere, and even more that the first gas station we saw had no power. Then another, and another until we finally realized the storm that passed over us the night before must have touched down right there! Sure enough power lines supported fallen trees and whole towns were without power. With temperatures soaring over 90f, stopping and waiting for a recovery vehicle was not a pleasant option.
With no end of damage in sight, we double-backed and headed back toward the highway - by now totally unaware of where we were, and without any GPS or cell phones in the power-less communities. I was driving and getting more agitated with each precious mile. Scott kept me calm and worked on keeping the kids happy. If I had not been driving I might have lost it!
There was no way to know how much fuel was left, or how we could even contact anyone to help us. We had no idea how far we could go, and so were effectively helpless. We prayed, and prayed!! We knew we might possibly need a miracle!
Eventually, after pulling into a darkened gas station we were told of an oasis - a gas station a half mile away that had been open earlier in the day. With little other choice we filtered into the heavy, painfully slow traffic and prayed. By this point we had shut of the air conditioning and had the windows down for some ventilation - but not much. Toby did not like this and let us know it!
Eventually we could see the gas station, and as we got closer we saw police blocking the entrances! They were directing cars into a parking lot across the street to queue for gas. It was so surreal. People were walking down the side of the road with 5 gallon gas tanks in hand!
We got in line, and Scott got some freezer pops out of the cooler for the kids and shared them with the car behind! From here Scott could push the car into the station if it died - but would there be any gas left!
After an hour and 40 minutes of driving around on "E" we pulled into a pump. "Fill 'er up!" Not a moment to soon as one of the pumps ran out and shut-down!
It took twice as long as it should, but we made it to the shore, so very ready for a vacation!!! We had a wonderful week with Scott's family and friends who were in town. Emma discovered her inner-mermaid, and we all enjoyed some rest and relaxation.
Pictures to come...
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