Day 51 - 9/4/2004 - Home

There's something about waking up in a car on the side of the road that tells you it's time to go home.  Not that it hasn't been an occurrence at several points on this trip...it's just that you know when it is enough.

We broke camp (i.e. cleaned up the car) and headed home.  We stopped at a Hardee's in Beckley and got our fill of biscuits and 'tater tots.  This was an easy section - just put on the tunes and cruise.  By late morning we reached Charlottesville, and we knew it was three hours to go.  Richmond, 90 minutes.  Williamsburg, 45 minutes.  The miles and time ticked by as Hunter read his Lord of the Rings assignment and I ran through the past 50 days in my head.  What seemed like a neverending story was now at and end.  

We pulled into the driveway - Fischer and Mom were out at the store.  They got home a few minutes later, and after a few minutes of intense hugging we started to unpack.  Lots of dirty clothes, lots of presents.

Although the trip is over, I know it was an event that will affect Hunter and me for the rest of our lives - both collectively and as individuals.