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Got to Gilroy safely, and unloaded at the Super 8 Motel. Man was it HOT when we got out of the van. Of course we had the A/C on in the van for most of the trip down the freeway, and it was like stepping into a hot oven when I stepped out onto the pavement outside the motel. Apparently it is in the mid 90s here.

Hey, look at that! There is a DENNY'S right across the parking lot and some Premium Outlet stores up the street. What more do you really need? I know - liquor! I ended up going for a little drive for bottled water, and other supplies, while the rest of the gang went for a dip in the chilly-pool. Ended up in historic downtown Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world. A stop at Paul's Liquor Mart did the trick. Grabbed a 6 of Dos Equis Amber, and some California Zinfandel. Noted the little blue libido enhancement products for sale at the register, but didn't pick up any of those. Not something usually seen at the liquor stores back home....

Time: 0900-0930

Today is our longest day of driving, going from Yreka to Gilroy, CA. We've got a planned over-night stop in Gilroy to set us up for the final leg of the journey tomorrow.

As co-pilot, I am still finding my way in the role, and one of the important tasks is to point out the upcoming rest stops, just in case anyone needs a stretch or to go potty. Especially Charlotte. Sometimes she is not sure that she has to go until you ask her. We were driving southbound on the I5 between Red Bluff and Williams, and all was going seemingly well. Although Wolfe is teething these days, he hasn't been too cranky yet. We've got the kiddie music on in the CD, and things are cruising along. Poppi is behind the wheel, and I should have been alerting the gang to the rest area south of exit 610, at Artois. Right after we blow by that exit, Justine asks us to please pull over at the next one, so she can use the ladies room. That seemed to kick Charlotte into gear, and now she has to go too. Ok, so the next Rest Area is coming up south of Maxwell, past exit 586. We've got about 20 minutes to go, and Charlotte says she can hold it. we all hope so, because an accident in the car seat at this point would be a real drag. So Wolfe stats getting a bit fidgity. Perhaps he senses the level of anxiety rising in the van, as we're all hoping the next 20 miles pass quickly. Charlotte really has to go, claiming that her tummy is hurting. Uh oh. We pass an exit that had signage for gas, and perhaps should have taken that one, instead of trying to make it to the rest area. Charlotte says she can hold it, but is clearly a little too uncomfortable, so decide that we're going to need to pull over on the shoulder. The signage warns that it is a soft shoulder, and that it is allowed for EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY. This is indeed an emergency! We pulled over safely, and I hopped out of the van to help Charlotte relieve herself at the side of the road. Ahh, that's s better daddy.

*whew*

We got out at the Maxwell Rest Area in about 10 miles and spent an hour there in the shade. Wolfe and Charlotte got to run around and then we all had a snack. The temperature is climbing, and it is going to be a hot afternoon of driving. By the time we left, it was not yet 1100 AM.