Appalachian Service Project

Senior High
Mission Trip to
Wise County, Virginia

Day Eight: Saturday, July 12

Saturday was our travel day, returning home. With the best of intentions we tried to leave before eight in the morning, and weren't too far off, since we were on the road by 8:20. Although counterintutitive we started off by driving South into Tennessee, to pick up Rte 81 North. Since the roads in that direction were better, we probably came out ahead. An added plus was that we drove through six states that day.

The original plan was to stay together, which fell apart in about an hour. While we were in contact by cell phone, it became clear that some vans had sturdier bladders than others and required fewer rest stops. One van also opted for a sit-down lunch, which put them farther behind.

As for the van that Richard and I drove, we had the four youngest members of the mission trip, and they were troopers. They were quiet, entertained themselves and never once asked to use a rest room (we had to force them out of the van to use the facilities when we stopped for gas). About gas, we had one $98 fill-up, a personal best for me, thank heavens for credit cards.

The trip itself was easy, Route 81 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Route 1, not much chance of getting lost. With two gas stops, one of which doubled as a lunch stop (which we ate in the car), and one rest stop, the whole trip took 11 hours.

We were the first van to make it back to Princeton, just before 7 p.m., followed by a second van about forty minutes later. The third van, with the sit-down lunch group, come in about 8:30 p.m.

Pictures are in short supply today, as I did most of the driving, and I was more focused on making time than documenting the trip. If more come in from the other two vans, they will be added later (so check back).

A special note for the parents who entrusted their children to our care. I have to say that in the five years that I have been accompanying youth mission trips, this was the best group I've had the pleasure to work with. They were poised, they work hard (really hard), the older kids looked out for the younger ones and there were no "incidents." You and the entire church family can be proud of them.