We did it! But we'll never do it again!

We traveled 30+ hours to Houston, Texas for Christmas this year to visit Becky's brother for his daughter's first Christmas. The visit was lovely, but the drive was not. Due to some errands and chores we didn't leave Atlanta until 5:00 and stopped in Baton Rouge for the night of the 22nd around 2:00am. We got up "early" and had brunch at a lovely little diner called Louie's off of Highland Avenue near the campus of LSU. It was a lovely day - sunny and blustery. We arrived in Houston around 4:00pm and met the family for a tour of Becky's brother's new house. After the usual Christmas-y visit-y stuff, we headed out on the morning of the 26th. Tripp said we ought to get on the road early in order to beat some weather heading our way. Unfortunately, we didn't make it, and ended up driving in pouring rain from Houston all the way to Montgomery, Alabama. 10+ hours in a downpour does not make for happy travellers, but we survived and made it home safe and sound at about 1:30am. Becky had to get up for work the 27th but Tripp stayed home to do some work around the house.
After everything we've decided we'll not be driving to Texas again. We don't like to leave the dogs - couldn't find a pet-sitter anyway - and can't fly them so we've always driven. However, it's been decided at least for next year, that we will not be travelling at all. Not for Christmas and maybe not for any holidays. We'll see. Becky's brother has already invited himself to Athens for Christmas next year and we're excited to have him! Perhaps in 2009 we can start a new family tradition and fly or drive to the mountains for a ski Christmas. We'll see...