Cat Tales: Miscellany and Mischief

Day 8/9: Torture

30DBC December 8 Prompt: Today's another driving day, though we're making a stop after 5 hours at the Lake Woods Conservation Covenant , 16 hours at Mataranka to see the Bitter Springs, and then at 18 hours at Pine Creek Railway Resort, where we'll get a couple family cabins and stay the night. Once more, for safety reasons, we'll switch drivers every 8 hours.


Today is the first day I've truly regretted coming on this trip.

The first five hours weren't so bad. And Lake Woods was gorgeous, so gorgeous. I could have stayed there all day, but Dragon is hiding just wouldn't let up the pace. I know we needed to get going to see the rest of everything, but every nerve in my body screamed against getting back in that car for another 11 hours, even knowing that there were only a couple more after that leg of the trip was done.

To top it all off, I knew I had to drive later in the trip, and my anxiety wasn't far behind my protesting sciatic nerve.

We stopped at 8 hours to switch, and I missed my chance to get out and stretch, as I was fast asleep when we pulled into the gas station. I woke later with a back that hurt to move and a wicked drool spot on the window. Princess Megan Rose kindly looked the other way as I mopped up my saliva hurriedly with a pocket tissue.

I spent the next few hours half-dozing, half-nursing a massive headache and shifting around 10 times every five minutes to try and get some relief. Blessedly, we stopped about four hours away from Mataranka to get some grub and switch drivers. I ran around the gas station about 15 times, I was so happy to be out of the car. I ate standing again with Lyn's a Witchy Woman and almost cried when it was time to get back in the car, as it was my turn to drive.

Thankfully, the four hours passed quickly, and soon we were out of the car for a while to take in the oasis-like beauty of Bitter Springs with its turquoise water and lovely shade. I let my cramped feet rest in the cool water for as long as was humanly possible before I had to slip my sandals back on and explore the rest of the Springs.

I didn't think I could force myself to get back in the car, but Andre chased me back inside, and before I could protest we were off on the road again.

The rest of the trip was a blur and passed quickly. I had to keep prying my eyes open, just adding to my anxiety about driving. It was good practice, though, and before I knew it we had made it to the Railway Resort. I grinned exhaustedly at the prospect of collapsing into a warm bed and stretching my throbbing nerves. Even though we'd made it, and I'd seen so many beautiful things, I told myself I was never coming on another crazy trip like this again.

Even though something in the back of my mind told me I didn't really mean it.

The next day we explored Litchfield. I was almost too tired to remember most of it, although I do remember swimming, doing some of my laundry and eating a meal with Kit and brothernature. It was a fairly nice day, after the torture on the 8th. I slept more peacefully and didn't feel quite so convicted about never doing this again. It did have its priceless benefits, after all.

AlyCatAuthor