Riding in Style

 Saturday, March 10th
(pictures will be added at the next place with good internet)

Hey friends!

I'm writing to let you know about another facet of our trip. Taylor had a WONDERFUL idea: presents!! One per day, each wrapped beautifully, containing a surprise that only she knows! So I opened the first one for Ella (my car's name, after Ella Fitzgerald- look her up!). After I got through the rocks meant to throw us off, inside a paper towel tube was a pair of enormous eyelashes for Ella!!! After I finally figured out what they actually were and translated the supposedly English explanation on the package, we all died laughing! Such a funny, creative gift- perfect for a car carrying 5 girls across the country! Although I opened it yesterday, they finally got put on today at a super cute rest stop in Virginia.

Side note- the man who worked there, Harry, was so helpful and fun to talk to! He showed us around the old historic house that was the visitor's center and gave us a few brocheres for when we come back through. We had picnic lunch outside at a table under a tree, sandwiches and strawberries and trail mix! Perfect! Then we stopped into a consignment store across the street just for fun (as if we had a spare inch to keep anything!) But it was fun!

Anyway, Taylor, Katie, and Hannah curled the eyelashes using pens and Ella was officially dressed up with a LOT of places to go. Apparently it was a hit because the next gas station we stopped at, Ella definitely made a new friend. A camo-laden, crooked-toothed Virginian man started laughing, waved at Ella, and asked, "Can I kiss your car?? Because she's SEXY." Naturally, we all died laughing. And drove away rather quickly. And decided this blog needed to be written right away. So I'm sitting in the car on our 10th hour in the car writing this. Guess those eyelashes do quite a bit for those beautiful headlights?

As an addendum: Hannah opened our second present today- jolly rancher lollipops to give out to random people we meet! It was so fun! We're going to bring them to DC with us tomorrow!

Good night, friends! Big day tomorrow. :)

Don't forget to save that daylight!

-Lauren