Sunday, July 4, 2010 by Dana.

My wonderful wife, Karen, is on her (now annual) vacation to KY to visit her family with our 2 younger sons (Shade & Seth) and dogs.  She leaves me in Disturbia to hang out with my oldest son, Tyler.  Now that she has had a few visits, I can give you a basic story line of how her vacation goes before it happens.  This is how it generally works.

Days 1-2 – The Drive

Karen spends 2 grueling days driving long hours to get to KY as fast as is possible with 2 kids and large dogs.  During the drive out, there is a 50% chance of a getting a speeding ticket.  The highlights of the drive will include a photo of the youngest boy, Seth, with a dog asleep on his lap in the backseat and a story of how Shade got multiple semi’s to honk by giving the “honk your horn” gesture to the drivers.

Days 3-5 – The Joy of KY

For the first few days, everything is wonderful. The dogs are having fun running on the farm. The kids are enjoying the free range as well.  Basically, everyone is enjoying being loud, obnoxious, and generally free of neighbors 20 yards away behind the block wall.  There will be a couple complaints about family, but it is generally laughed off as no big deal.  We have a couple broken phone calls due to poor mobile phone service at the family farm, and the text messages are related to missing each other and wishing I had gone to KY with them.

Days 6-7 – This Got Old Quick

Just as Ben Franklin said, “Fish and visitors stink after three days.”  In this case, Karen, the kids, and the dogs are the stinky visitors.  During these days, politeness begins to break down, and Karen has an intoxicated moment of honesty where she realizes how much she really doesn’t enjoy the small town atmosphere.  She decides to just deal with everyone as best as possible because the kids are having such a great time.

Days 8-12 – Venture Out

In this middle part of the vacation, Karen focuses on getting off the farm to visit places she has missed such as King’s Island, Newport on the Levee, the baseball park, etc.  Also, Karen usually finds at least a couple different people to go out drinking with her (so she doesn’t have to drive). At least one of the drinking buddies will be someone she hasn’t been out with since high school or someone she met on-line.

Days 13-16 – Coming Out of Turn Four

By this time, Karen is very ready to return to Disturbia, Shade is bored with the farm, and Piper has bitten more than 3 family members or pets.  Karen’s family shows signs of fatigue trying to keep up with her, Shade, Seth, & the dogs.

Days 17-19 – The Return to Home Stretch

Karen has planned her departure details, ranted about family members via text messages, and got on-line to tweet or chat for the purpose of making fun of people that she used to go to high school with that are now big losers.  Shade has packed for the return trip, and Seth wants to move to KY. Seth has also slept in Karen’s bed every night even though he was too old for that 3 years ago.

Days 20-21 – Fast Drive Home

Karen sets out with the idea of taking a more leisure drive home, but she ends up making the trip back in 28 hours of driving over 2 days.  If she didn’t get a speeding ticket on the way out, there is a 100% chance she will get one on the way back.  Otherwise, it is a 50% chance of getting a ticket.

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Thursday, June 18, 2009 by Dana.

After a night at a KOA campground in Odessa, they hit the road at about 8am local time.  The plan is to get to Little Rock, AK on Day 2 (10 hrs).

Update 8 - From Shade - Barn! We’re in Midland, TX. We just passed some [windmills].Tired puppies.Sorry, but there’s nothing around me [to photograph].

Update 9 - From Shade - It’s pretty cool over here [near Abilene].

Update 10 - From Shade - We’re half way there.  We’re in Dallas.That’s Dallas for ya. Mom isn’t [having fun]. She made a wrong turn. Again.

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Wednesday, June 17, 2009 by Dana.

Karen, Shade, and Seth departed for Kentucky early this morning (about 5:15am) with Piper & JJ.  I miss them already.  I took Lukas for a walk because he looked so lonely, then I headed off to work.  Shade has been sending me trip updates and photos from his phone, so I will post updates here as a I have time.

Update 1 - From Shade - We’re in Tucson!!!

Update 2 - From Shade - Now we’re in Benson

Update 3 - From Shade - Ya, we missed the rush hour.  We’re in Texas Canyon.  We’re going to squeeze the lemon in a few minutes. We’re 230 miles from El Paso.

Update 4 - From Shade - Just entered New Mexico.  I will send you a picure when I find a good area.  –> That’s New Mexico for ya’ll –> JJ won’t stop licking me. 

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