Thanksgiving Trip - Day 5

[when we figured out that most everyone would be leaving today, we decided to get a jump on the drive home too - we got to see many of our family members as they were heading to the airport - packed up the car - Nicky and the Twins had a big debate about whether we should wait until later in the day - thank goodness we got going around 1030L - took I-16 back to I-95 and headed north into South Carolina - stopped for gas in Yemassee (1130L) - lots of traffic until we reached I-26 (football game?) - was able to use cruise control for awhile - we did stop for lunch in Florence (Arby's) around 1330L - after seeing a ton of signs for South of the Border (in Dillon, SC), we stopped to buys souvenirs and get good pictures of our buddy, Pedro - on the road again soon after - weather still good and traffic OK (had a flew close calls of "accordion slow downs", but survived) - after making it across all of North Carolina, we stopped for gas again in Emporia, Virginia (1800L) - Nicky and kids picked up our dinner (Blimpies and Long John Silvers) while I filled up the tank - it was dark by this point - no problems driving right through Richmond - traffic started to back up just south of Fredericksburg (near Stonewall Jackson Shrine) - we got off the Interstate and got some help (and snacks) from a gas station attendant: were able to drive east on back roads until we could access US-17 - took it to US-301 and crossed the Potomac at Dahlgren - switched to MD-5 in Waldorf and made good time to the Beltway - backtracked west to Virginia and made it to the house around 2130L - after helping empty the car, Erin and Brenna even had time to catch the tail end of a party down the street with their friends - I went to bed...]