On August 1st I started the long trip to help my dad empty and fully move out of New York. I drove (2 days) to Florida from Kansas. Tennesee drivers are horrible. Almost as bad as Florida drivers. And I can’t fathom why ANYONE would want to be stuck in Nashville traffic every day. It was horrendous and put my anxiety meds to the test. Atlanta traffic was better! I was in Florida for about 2 days. It was only supposed to be 1 day, but my dad was being lazy. Then we drove (2 days) from Florida to Syracuse, NY. And by we, I mean me. I drove the whole time. In a F150 pulling a 40 foot trailer. On the way to NY it was easy because the trailer was empty. We got caught in a couple traffic jams and had to deal with idiot drivers.
In NY, I had to help my dad empty his giant garage. On Monday there was me, my brother and my father in-law (FIL) helping as my dad can’t do much physical labor. We did ok, and got through a good amount of stuff. Tuesday it was just me for 3/4 of the day. My best friend’s teenager came out and helped me for a bit, and I was even able to get ahold of my uncle in-law to also help for a bit. My FIL came out and took over for me around 3:30 after I had been there since 8:30. The thing about my dad’s garage is that it is 2 stories. I went up and down those stairs probably 100x just on Tuesday. I was exhausted. Tuesday night I went to dinner with a bestie, and then I was in bed as soon as I got back. I even got to play with the in-laws puppers! Her name is Lucy. Wednesday was back with my FIL helping as well as Bestie and one of my dad’s friends. We managed to clear out the entire garage save for a small area of Christmas stuff my dad wants to try to sell. We even packed up the trailer.
Thursday I was at my dad’s hotel room at 6:00am. I was ready to start the (2 day) drive back to Florida, this time with a full trailer. Of course my dad had like 10 more things he “forgot” to put into the trailer, so we didn’t leave NY until 8:30. Leaving and heading to North Carolina (stay over hotel) was rather good, except I kept telling dad that the trailer tires looked a bit flat. He said they’re supposed to look “a bit squishy”, but after another hour of my not liking how they looked, I pulled over and had to go to 2 different poe-dunk stations to find a tire gage. The tires should be around 65 psi when hot… they were all 25 psi… so yea, they were a bit low. Found a station that had free air, and got that all fixed. The rest of the drive was uneventful on that day. The second day was a bit more annoying as the traffic got worse, more accidents to sit through, and the idiots that are Florida drivers really tested my road rage patience.
Made it back to dad’s and unloaded a few things in the trailer that were more heat sensitive than others. During the “unloading”, I tripped on something in the trailer and fell pretty hard. I have nice bruises on both knees and may have broken my toe. Definitely sprained it at the very least. My dad wanted me to rest one day before driving back (2 days) to Kansas, but I just wanted to get home. I had my car packed and ready to go at 6:30am when I got up. Said goodbye to dad and hit the road. Luckily it was so early in the morning, that Florida traffic was basically non-existent. Georgia traffic was a bit heavier, and I am sad to say that they are also not great drivers. I was so hopeful on my way down to FL as the GA drivers seemed to know what they were doing. That was a lie. I also am pretty sure I witnessed the start of a tornado after Valdosta! Hit a badddddd storm, and apparently there was an accident in Chattanooga, so my GOS took my through that city.
Made it to the hotel and rested with my foot elevated. Had awesome breakfast, then continued my drive. Nashville traffic was still shit, and I still stand by Tennessee drivers are just Florida drivers who got lost. Did fine for the most part, though there was a crazy amount of traffic for a Sunday. Hit 2 huge storms in Missouri. One of which caused an accident that was in the previous post. Got home around 4:30, real glad when I hit Kansas because those drivers at least move the f*ck over! Unloaded the car, took some pain meds, watched King the Land (adorable show, you should watch it), and went to bed super early. Hubs said I was so out of it that at one point I giggled in my sleep. Don’t know why since I was dreaming about avalanches… but whatever. All in all, I don’t recommend doing a trip like that. Way too much driving. I had to go to my chiropractor, and will need a massage as well. I’m in a lot of pain. I’m glad I could help my dad, but I won’t be driving any time soon… Salem in September is already making me hurt…
Author Bethany Loughlin-Frost 
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