What I learned on my summer vacation

The family and I just got back from a road trip to Hilton Head, SC. We took four days to drive out there with a day and 1/2 stop in Nashville to visit my aunt.  We spent six days in Hilton Head with eighteen people celebrating my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary and then drove the twenty hours home in two days. Here are some things I learned along the way.

1. Make sure to cross check the AAA reviews of hotels with other sources. And remember, there’s a VAST difference between 2, 3, and 4 star hotels! Ew…that’s all I have to say.

2. All McDonald’s are not alike. I won’t go into details for fear of prosecution but we stopped at one that gave us all the heeby jeebies!

3. A box of 50 munchkins (donut holes) from Dunkin Donuts will not last long in the back seat with two teenagers.

4. It is ALWAYS a good idea to get a second cup of coffee for later when you don’t know when you’ll see another Dunkin Donuts.

5. South Carolina is VERY humid. And just because it thunders doesn’t mean it will rain.

6. Hilton Head has a lot of traffic circles. And they all look the same. Really.  And, they can double as amusement park rides when you’re in the car with a bunch of crazy women! “Raise your arms and scream!”

7. After not having one in six years I can unequivocally say that Chik-Fil-A sandwiches still rock!!!

8. Eating at Paula Deen’s restaurant will make your tummy explode. She makes awesome fried chicken and her mac & cheese is to die for.

9. A glorious morning sunrise reveling in God’s presence can do wonders to restore your sanity after spending five days with eighteen people!

10. If you want to be happily married after fifty years make sure you marry your very best friend! What a blessing to celebrate Pat and Doug’s love and friendship. What a joy to be with siblings and cousins celebrating their twenty-plus year marriages! I’m looking forward to the 60th anniversary!