6:30am: On our way to Williamsburg for a quick overnighted! We left the house about an hour ago and I’m fighting to keep my eyes open out of solidarity for Henry as he drives in the dark.

Nothing eventful to report as yet. I finished an audio book that was mid at best (Single Player – not something I would normally choose but I needed it to complete a Goodreads challenge) and we stopped at Sheetz on 51 a while back for morning things. I only just got coffee because it felt too early for food and now of course, I’m hungry. Also, I was so tired at Sheetz that I didn’t realize I was pouring the creamer into the garbage instead of my coffee!!

But now we have a Romanian hits playlist on so I’m pretending like we’re cruising through the Maramures even tbough this is just dumb Laurel Highlands (I think? We just passed Laurel Caverns).

7:56am: in some rural part of Maryland rife with MAGA lawn ornamentation. Yes, even still.

Oh wait, we JUST crossed over to West Virginia somehow?! We’re in Paw Paw! I asked Henry if we’ve ever come this way before to Williamsburg and he doesn’t think so, he’s at the mercy of Waze. We just passed a sign for Berkeley Springs and I remembered that we came home this way from King’s Dominion in 2023 and now Henry (in his gross uncle Tay-Bans btw) just nodded knowingly like he knew this whole time when he had JUST SAID “I don’t think so” after I first asked?’ Friends, gaslighting in process. Sound the alarm.

8:18am: just got the welcome to Virginia announcement on Waze! Also, I need to add that yesterday Henry and I went for a walk around the neighborhood and he tripped THREE TIMES, and I mean TRIPPED, like “lurch into the air, Superman-arms” tripping. And all three times it was in front of witnesses like this was the new town spectator sport. I was at once horrified and embarrassed. He made excuses every single time too, refusing to admit to neurological damage. “These people need to straighten their sidewalks!” he cried and I was like, “Or you can just LOOK WHERE YOU ARE WALKING?!” Jesus Christ.

10:40am: Chooch just called out Henry for eating cashews grossly and it reminded me of when we were on the coaster crew trip and someone was trying to catch a bee on the bus and it was very action-forward so I was recording and ofc Henry is in the frame totally inhaling a Nordic cinnamon bun like a feral beast, using TWO HANDS and kicking his fingers to boot. I sent the video to chooch and we’re dying at the memory while Henry is like NEXT TIME YOU TWO CAN GO BY YOURSELVES and for those of you keeping count at home, yes he says this at least once on every trip, no matter how big or small.

11:32am: just entered Williamsburg! Can you believe we only stopped three times, and quickly? I really did not think we would make it here before noon but here we are!

5:02pm: Sitting in the Griffon pavilion area while Henry and Chooch are in because I had a headache that had gotten progressively worse as the day goes on because Henry refused to give me Tylenol in the car. I’m getting a little better but bro, when I was on Pantheon, that was the closest I have ever come to puking on a ride. More later!

7:13pm: we’re about to leave Busch Gardens and OUR HOUSE BY MADNESS is blasting in the England section FML.

7:25pm: just made it back to the car and I said that it’s hard to believe he’s going to be 20 next month when he still acts like a baby and he said “ok and you’re over 40 and still act a baby.” UGH TOUCHE.

7:55pm: just checked into our hotel – it’s a Homewood Suites and we got a suite so chooch has his own room and he is very happy about this.

Lobby things.

8:26pm: At Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers and the service has been DELIGHTFUL to the point that I don’t even care at this point if the food sucks.

They make their veggie burgers from black beans!!

OH AND THE CURE WAS PLAYING WHEN WE WALKED IN! (Just like Heaven.)

It was actually satisfying and they have good sauces. While we were sitting there waiting for our food the manager came over to see if we needed anything and he was so nice, and the kid who took our order was so nice, so I was inspired to thank them for mainframe our experience so nice before we left and they invited me back for bingo on Tuesday.

Anyway, I like telling people when I had a good experience- I’m more likely to let bad service/experiences go because complaining takes so much energy and just makes me feel gross afterward (I mean, depending on the severity of the situation then I crack the knuckles and get to work on an e-missive full of expletives). But telling someone they did a good job is nice because how often does that happen, in a world of Karens and Chads.

Actually! This makes me think of the last time we were at Busch Gardens when I stopped by customer service on the way out to sing the praises of the Pantheon crew and the two bitch ladies there were just like “ok and.”

9:36pm: back at the hotel after getting ice cream at Kilwins. Henry and I bought got a small scoop and it was $16! William & Mary will do that, I guess.

Mine was no sugar added caramel ripple. It was ok but I gave most of it to Henry because my disordered eating has my stomach on fire right now.

Chooch opted for a shamrock shake at McDonald’s where some man brought in his boombox and was acting like the resident DJ of his own accord. Granted, Chooch and I were just watching this from the car but Henry was excited to come out and tell us.

Well, on that note, I’m getting ready for bed. This 4am start to the day has me feeling like I’m about to pass out!