Adventures in Getting Philip to Knoxville

Through a couple different people Philip got from Atlanta to Virginia to start back school. My portion of the journey was to take Philip from Chattanooga to Knoxville, where he would meet Mark and Caleb Leuzinger. We had lunch at Uncle Gary’s prior to leaving and were having so much fun, that we delayed our departure by about 15 minutes. I had suggested a meeting place near Knoxville, where we could make the transition. However, not all goes as planned. We received a call from Mark as we were driving towards Knoxville advising that they had not seen the suggested meeting place until they had already passed it. Since we were still about 30 minutes away, I suggested that they drive for 10 more minutes or so, call me with the exit that they took and where I can find them. They agreed to this. Unfortunately, the exit they took was not a normal get off and easy to get back on exit. They took the exit that sends you on the Knoxville bypass and connects to I-75 so you can get to Lexington. They realized that this was a bad exit, turned around and got on I-75 instead of I-40. I was perplexed when they called to advise that they had taken Exit 108 when I was still in the 370’s. However, I soon deduced what had occured and we were able to locate each other. We spent a few minutes having a quick dinner a Burger King, just talking and laughing at the situation. When it was time to leave, Mark advised that he was going to follow me back to I-40. However I got turned around on the way back and we ended up going the wrong way for about a mile (I blame it on the signs…or lack of them more specifically). In the end we each got to I-40 and parted ways. I had a wonderful torrential rain to keep me company on the drive home…

And today, the adventures continue as my cousin Karis, returning from her Christmas in Ireland, called me (while at the Burger King) advising that her ride back from the Nashville airport bailed on her yesterday. So, I am looking forward to making that trip tonight and spending some time with her. Merry January 8th and may the Ohio State Buckeyes prove victorious!