Deep Country

Greetings from Nashville.. we made it this far on the first day. the GPS says 631.7 miles (to be precise). first time for me. absolutely beautiful drive, nice looking country side; i've been to alot of great places in this country but haven't seen much of the 'interior' U.S.

Surprised about that? don't be; most of us immigrants have naturally migrated toward the Coasts.. so far, everyone has been really swell. i think the stunning wife and kids and interesting looking dog have disarmed everyone we meet...

tomorrow, we're thinking of the same routine: wake really early, drive a good chunk, get in a hotel early to let the kids run wild, then early to bed etc.. we'll ease the intensity once we hit day 3 and saunter into town (that's the plan anyway)..

speaking of hotels, allow me to plug one we found along our journey today. it's called Drury Inn and Suites (or Hotels) . frankly, based on this one visit, it's the absolutely BEST VALUE i've experienced in hotel.. as an unpaid endorsement, let me outline the ways:

1) pets allowed - NO CHARGE (we called no less than 3-5 hotels and almost all have an upcharge - some in the $100s!)
2) breakfast buffet - NO CHARGE - not 'continental', but real cooked eggs etc.. (for a family of six, that's about a $50 breakfast - at least the way we eat - yes, yes, Susan, i know you eat for less
3) SUITE - two rooms (really, two rooms), 2 Queens, living room, fridge, ceramic tile etc. this means that we don't have to get 2 separate rooms (by 'fire code') saving us the bill for another room.
4) Indoor/Outdoor pool - you know, the ones that that kids (and dads) like to swim with a wall separator?
5) free WIFI/Internet access
6) Free local and long distance calls ! (LD is for an hour)
7) finally, the rooms are as nice as any name brand - yes, even as nice as Marriott
8) drum roll please, finally, the price - all of the above for $107 tonight (AAA rate)..

i was thinking it would cost $250 plus a night.. how cool is that!!!

ok... enough rambling.. i think the meds are kicking in... we appreciate everyone's prayers for our travels. i think Mom and T have been fighting a sickness since they got home from the youth retreat so i would ask that you lift them up for healing and good health. we have been talking about how much we bask in the richness of our life back home and miss you all.

only grace,
dad