1) Safe travels!

2) Keep it real dude.

3) See you next weekend!

4) We have already experienced some minor squabbles, fussing, screaming and general grumpiness. We will be leaving the kids with Betsy.

5) Courtney, you have just summed up every day in our household. :)

6) Just hooked with the Rt 4 shortcut near St. Louis.

7) Niki that is not true. When have we ever left our kids with Betsy? I mean, I'd like to.

Dave check your email. Thanks.

8) Good work on the fix, Denny. We'll bring you some extra flashy beach junk for all your trouble. How many hermit crabs do you want?

9) I never understood going to NC via St. Louis. Mom always said it was quicker and she's probably right and but mentally I couldn't go west to go east. (But it's probably better than Andrew's route of going to NC via Baltimore.) I'll be following your blog today. Please post if there are any bad construction spots. We'll be about 16 hours behind you. Safe travels, good luck with the kids.

10) One big difference on the Southern route is that there isn't nearly as much traffic. Both ways are almost even in miles. But you can take a nice shortcut on Rt 4 and save a good amount of time. You get off 55 around Staunton at Rt 4.

11) Oops that account I used was a test account I set up. That is why it just says denny. I am back now as a full fledged Deaton.

Dave, we've never gotten a hermit crab to survive the ride back from the beach. I think if you bring a hundred of them one is likely to survive. They are $1 each (unless there is a crab inflation). Just put it on the HumCard. Thanks.

12) If we drive to the banks again I think I'm going to go with your route instead of taking the turnpike. That ride is so awful. And I-95 is painful.

13) Cool. A blog for me to follow all day instead of working. Thanks, Heinzels! Oh, and Courtney, tell the kids Brennan says "Hi!" and don't forget that this is a perfect opportunity to get a contest photo. Dave is driving, correct?

14) Let me know when you guys get here and I will be happy to take the kids off your hands. I am sure they won't mind sitting around the house reading all weekend like I was planning!

15) Oh, and also hitting the bars.

16) soundchick: the kids took turns yelling Brennan's name for a few miles about 20 minutes ago. They think it's hilarious.

17) Hell, Betsy, if you're going to be reading all weekend AND hitting the bars, it might be worth it to send my two cherubs via Greyhound! How's the 3pm bus sound??

18) Good luck Dave have a safe trip!

19) Mia has officially run out of good humor. She seems totally miserable. We have pulled out the laptop, and the kids are watching Mr. Rogers. Finally some peace.

20) Courtney I just did a search in the database for the keywords "courtney" and "mr. rogers", it returned 2,178 records. I think you need to diversify their DVD library.

21) I can has vacation from vacation?

22) Crossed into Indiana a few miles ago. It has been raining the whole trip so far.

23) Of all the kid shows on tv, I think I would rather have them watch Mr. Rogers. There are no associated products to want. Plus there is always a big emphasis on music. I'll admit it seems a little strange, though.

24) Mia is asleep!

25) Oh come on Courtney! Mr. Rogers subliminally markets cardigan sweaters and a spare comfortable pair of shoes. You just wait, Ethan is going to be shopping in the Men's department when he's 7. And at that point you'll say "I should have never let him watch so much Mr. Rogers".

26) Dear god. Where is McDonalds?

27) Where are you? We'll find a MickeyD's for you! Oh, you guys should let the kids watch Jack's Big Music Show. I think it may only be on the On Demand section of Comcast Cable. Not sure if you guys get that or not, but if not you can also get it on DVD. We even like to watch it.

28) We're like 50 miles or so from Louisville on 64. There is nothing here. Ethan just had his morning meltdown and woke Mia up.

29) Come on guys, pull it together. How about a round of Row Your Boat?

30) Courtney, here is a McDonalds trip planner for you if you really have the need to find one.
http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/rest_locator.html

31) We're finishing up lunch at Southern Indiana's finest McDonalds. Ethan went potty standing up in the restroom like a big boy. We will pass Louiseville in 30 minutes or so. Hi Betsy! Oh and somebody please tell the rain to go away please.

32) Don't bring the rain with you. We are heading to the beach this weekend to move furniture into my parents beach house. No one likes a wet sofa.

33) Dave, you should have locked your office dude.

34) haha Uh oh

35) 8 miles to Lexington. Traffic is not moving. Can't see what the hold-up is all about. Rain finally stopped at least.

Courtney wants one of you to find out why we're stopped. We're on I-64, west of Lexington headed East. Good luck!

36) mile marker 71

37) It's not raining here, Dave, but I'm afraid it's following you!

38) It is raining in Charlotte bad!

39) I've checked all of the local news websites and haven't found a live traffic report anywhere...maybe that's just a big city thing?

40) But I did find this on the Lexington traffic engineering website.

24-Hour T-M-C Hotline:
(859) 258-3611

41) Jules, I've been looking and haven't found anything either...although apparently there's supposed to be big Adopt-a-Highway clean-ups between June 15 and June 21st...

42) I just looked at a radar shot and I see what has been over Charlotte, Niki. That's quite a system! The worst LOOKS like it's east of you.

43) I just found out that there is gridlock on the roads because rumor has it that some guy called Heinzel is driving through town and everyone is out to see if they can catch a glimpse of him.

44) We have been yelling "I love you!" to all the bastards passing us on the shoulder.

45) Looks like construction. We just reached mile post 73, if that tells you how fast we're moving. Pegi - we might be late tonight. We'll keep you posted here.

46) found this...

Interstate 64 in both directions: from KY 1790 Underpass to Exit 43
major road construction, speed restrictions in force, delays of uncertain duration -- fines are double in the work zone on weekdays and Saturdays — until September 5

47) and this...

Interstate Road Condition Report - Obtain current information on Interstates 64, 75, 65 and 71, Kentucky Parkways and other state roads. There is also a phone-in version at 1-866-737-3767 (or 511 if in KY).

48) Sorry about the construction. Guess we'll go through Cincinnati instead of Lexington.

People who pass on the shoulder are a-holes of the highest caliber. We were in some heavy construction around Joliet where people kept doing that. The semi in front of us edged over so it was straddling the right lane and shoulder to prevent people from passing on the shoulder. Worked like a charm.

49) Sorry, Dave. Be safe.
"I love you!" to Courtney. And I mean that in the best of ways!

50) We have reached speeds in excess of 15mph. Still stop and go mostly. Thanks for the info Jules.

51) Found it:
Starting Tuesday, resurfacing work on southbound Interstate 75/64 will cause lane closings between the I-75/I-64 northern split (mile point 118) and the Bryan Station Road overpass (mile point 112). Crews will work around the clock. Southbound I-75/I-64 will be reduced to one lane 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and two lanes 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. A 55 mph speed limit Ð with double fines for violators Ð will be enforced. Work should be completed before the Fourth of July. For more information on the resurfacing project, call David B. Thacker, spokesman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, at (859) 246-2355.

Sorry for the delay, our Internet connection here at work died!

52) Finally on I-75, and traffic is fine. Sally - skip 64 around Lexington if possible.

53) Back in traffic. 3 lanes - all stuck. What's up Kentucky?

54) We just left for the beach and we're stuck in Taylorville on Route 29 between Walmart's and the gun shop. Can someone look up the traffic report for us?

55) Yo guys, we be in Richmond at the Holiday Inn Express. It was sweet drivin' through the mountains of W. Virginia on I-64. Where you be now, near Corbin?

56) Dave (this is Mom), I guess you didn't see Dad's note in Humzoo last night about the delay around Lexington. It wasn't too bad for us, though. We kept moving and eventually got through it. Sally , I don't know if it would be worth it to go to Cincinnati.

57) Unsolicited Cubs update- They won in HUGE fashion. Walk-off homer by Ramirez. Take that, White Sox!

Mom- if we went through Cincinnati, we could continue on through Charleston and then Richmond. Or is that too much out of the way?

58) To any of the various Heinzels- is anyone bringing Sequence? Or should we? I've already got the poker chips packed. And Uno. No vacation is complete without Uno.

59) Sally- I'll bring Sequence. Cubs vs. Phillies for NLCS! -Randy

60) Aiiight. But will one Sequence board be enough? Just kidding! Of course it won't.

Cubs vs. Phillies in the NCLS sounds great. I'll let Bud Selig know.

61) Lost another 2 hours on I-75 due to a wreck. KY sux. Pouring rain now. ETA in Asheville: 10:45.

62) Dude. I like Kentucky...

63) Dave and Courtney, I'm sorry it has been such a rough trip. I hope Knoxville to Asheville is quick and easy.
Guys, we never go through Lexington. We head south on I-57 and take I-24 east to Nashville and then I-40 to Asheville. Nashville to Knoxville sucks too, and the last time we traveled it the weather also sucked, but we avoid Lexington.

64) Good thing all that construction is done on 9/5--Dave might have a chance of getting to the beach on 9/6!

arewethereyet?arewethereyet?arewethereyet?

65) Ugh. Seriously, I was complaining about IN. Then we hit KY. I don't think I can ever go through that state again. We're about 30 miles from Knoxville.

66) To whom it may concern, We brought a Sequence game with us so that's one.
Sally, to answer your question - yes. We came all the way on I-64 which took us from Lexington to Charleston, WVa and now we're in Richmond. As a matter of fact I-64 goes all the way to the coast. Here are the directions (from the realty company; these are the ones we're going to follow also): Follow I-64 to Hampton, VA. Go south on I-664 through the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Take I-64 towards Norfolk/Virginia Beach and exit at Great Bridge, VA (Exit 291-B). Go south on VA-168 to the N.C. border. Once in North Carolina, VA-168 becomes US-158 East. After crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge, continue on US-158 for approx. 3 miles, get over to beach road and look for 4401 N. Virginia Dare trail!

Sally, Dad advised (and I do too) to take I-64 out of St. Louis and stay on it. We don't have an atlas here but Dad said if you go to Cincinnati you're going to have to go to Lexington to get on I-64. There was a delay due to construction in Lexingotn but traffic kept moving and we did OK. That can happen anywhere. We've never had any trouble in Lexington and we've been through there hundreds of times.

Hope this helps. Have a safe trip and a good one!!! Let me know if you have any more questions. Can't wait to see you at the beach!!

67) We sat on I-64 for over an hour due to the same construction that didn't hold up mom and dad (although it sounded like mom thought we should have gone a different route after dad's comment). But from our experience today, I doubt a Northern route could possibly take longer.

We are on I-40 now with an ETA in Asheville of 10 pm. Can't wait to see everyone at the beach!

68) Thanks Mom and Dave for the feedback. After much discussion, we thought the best route is to go to the Outer Banks via Denver. See you all on Thursday.

69) Sally - you need to go buy Blokus for the beach week. You guys would love it, trust me. And feel free to swing by Los Angeles on your way to the Outer Banks. We'll be here til Sunday.

70) Oh, and we totally got a sweet picture of the back of Regis' head this afternoon. That guy is ageless!

71) I hope someone gets there soon. I am starting to get car sick. I think I need to move to the front seat.

72) Just got back from Wrightsville Beach. No traffic, a little rain - NC beaches looking good! Eye on the goal, people! :-D

Stay safe and have fun in Kitty Hawk!!!

73) We have reached the Pike compound and are currently being bombarded with ice cream and other quality food items. Their house is rad, and I hope to have pics up soon.

74) Yeah, glad you made it safe!

75) And we are still in June! Glad to hear you are safe and we know you'll be spoiled for the whole visit. Can't wait for the photos!

76) Ummm...yeah, this is too late, but I did warn you about the construction on the parental unit's blog from Thursday...glad you're there!

77) Sister Sludge,,,,
Where are you in Richmond?? Can I meet you for breakfast?? Please tell me where you are!! This is tooo weird!!! Call me or email, please!!

78) Hope you have a great vacation!

79) On the road to OBX. ETA: 5:30.

80) Jealous! Say hi to the beach for me.

81) Almost to Durham. I-40 has been awesome so far. Hope to beat ETA.

82) Team EyePulp/Heinzel (capably assisted by a life size sock monkey) is well on its way as of 1:30am today. Currently we're east-bound on 64,coming up on Lexington, VA.

We've driven on the shoulder THE ENTIRE TIME.

83) Awesome! Sounds like a friendly competition is in order. Last ones to show up have to go into the ocean tonight?

We just got on 64 at Raleigh. Traffic so far is awesome.

84) when you finally get off 64 on the OBX you'll see a Comfort Inn straight ahead (maybe a little bit south)...the house to the left is the one we stay in every year!

85) I calculate team EyePulp/Heinzel/SockMonkey will arrive circa 9:00 tonight. That allots for a scenic view near Charlottesville, a squabble over who will drive next after stopping at a Dairy Queen, getting stuck in a Hampton Roads tunnel (and counseling the claustrophobic monkey that he has a good chance of survival), naps behind the wheel (which will slow travel time significantly), and needing to use the can somewhere near the state line.

Team Heinzel to the fourth power should arrive much sooner.

You all have fun- we'll miss being with you.

86) Great, Dave, I'm glad today's trip is going much more smoothly!
Sally/Andrew - I'm impressed!!!!

87) We've got a couple of snarly looking kids in the backseat. From what I can tell, Ethan is angry about Mia's very existance. In the interest of maintaining family harmony, we are considering an alternate vacation for the baby girl. Perhaps the Comfort Inn.

88) 19 miles to Williamston. Diaper stop is planned.

89) Still on track for our original ETA of 5:30.

90) We're in a dense smoke area. It's crazy.

91) Had to stop at grocery store. On the way to the cottage now. Ten miles away.

92) We're here at the cottage. WIFI is beaming strong. Ethan loves the ocean, and Mia loves shoes. Vacation has arrived!

93) Vacation has started! Glad you finally made it. Can't wait to see the pictures of OBX!

94) Team eyepulp has landed. We arrived via rope drop from a silenced Huey. It's cool though, it runs on bio-diesel.

95) Hey, I just had the same issue with installing Leopard on my G5... Turned out to be my optical drive. I used a firewire drive and it was happy.

96) If you have any beer (or German food) lovers in your group, you should check out The Weeping Radish in Manteo. It's probably about a half hour from Kitty Hawk. Awesome beer, great (fattening) food, and if I remember correctly, there's a nice gift shop with lots of kids stuff. Enjoy the break!
Edit: Scratch that....just found out that The Weeping Radish has moved to Jarvisburg - which is much closer to Kitty Hawk.

97) Traffic in the Raleigh,Durham, Chapel Hill area has been rated by Californians as worst that in Los Angeles or San Francisco. You have described i-95 as being awful, if the lawmakers in this state have their way in five years, it will be a toll road from Rowland,NC to Roanoke Rapids, NC.