Day 1: White Plains, NY to Nashville, TN.
We hit the road, Jack. We hit the road to the tune of 980 miles in 15 hours, which means that from here on out the trip can be more leisurely and ease-filled, should we so desire. And it almost certainly will be, since yesterday was fraught with flash flooding all the way through the Appalachians, and since for several hours we lost the cat inside the car.

This is what the world looks like when Virginia's on the verge
of drowning.

When MJ reappeared, she threatened the borders.

Em and I managed fairly well in the circumstances; We stopped for a meal at a place called Country Cookin', which happened to be located in the saddest mall in America, and at which every meal came with endless salads and sides. We were the only people present who were under 65 and/or under 300 pounds.* They had great Sweet Tea, though.

As the day wore on, the weather started to break, along with our rather tenuous hold on reality. As Em marveled at the setting sun, we determined that heaven was leaking right into Nashville. We would not arrive in Nashville until 10 pm.

Somewhere around Knoxville, the heavens smiled at us.

Today, we head along highway 40, which by the time we hit Oklahoma will be largely intertwined with the former Route 66.




Notes:
* Although there was a young girl who doesn't currently meet this classification criteria, her chosen sides were 7 rolls with a plate each for butter, "honey mayo," and apple butter. Basically, she is on her way.