The drive back home for a break always feels strange. I had not been home since July so coming home this time was even more special. I knew things would have changed, but you never really know how much. There are so many steps, however, before actually getting to the final destination.
I live six hours from Ithaca, New York and don't drive, so the first step for me is always finding a ride. Now this might sound easy, but for some reason it never is. First, you have to get together a list of people who live in your home state. Thankfully, I know quite a few people who live in Massachusetts. The problem comes when people don't go home or are leaving a different day. Sometimes people's cars are already full. Then that list narrows down to one if you're lucky. This time I was lucky enough to find the one person leaving at the perfect time for me and who could drop me off only 20 minutes from my house.
Now, in my opinion, the actual car ride is not the worst. Sure, six hours in a car is tiring and you can get a bit restless, but it also gives you time to relax. The entire trip you don't need to worry about anything (as long as you're not driving that is!). The first hour and a half there is some small chit-chat between the people in the car. You answer the normal questions about your plans and your family. And then eventually the conversation dies out and there's a peaceful silence. This is when I put my headphones on, start a playlist and just empty my mind.
At that point, there is nothing to be stressed about. The only real question on your mind is what you're going to get when you stop at the rest stop. Once you get onto the big highway, it's just straight ahead for 100 miles with nothing interesting to look at. You quickly find the most comfortable position, and then you stay there.
The worst part for me is the last 45 minutes to an hour. This is when you start recognizing exits and towns, and this is when it really hits you that you're on your way home. You call the person picking you up to tell them you're getting close, and then everything becomes real. The last part is torture. You are so close yet so far.
Finally stepping into your house after all the anticipation is overwhelming. First off, I say hello to my kitties I haven't seen in months and try and stay up to talk to my mom a little. But at that point, usually, it's just time for me to crawl into my bed and pass out. OK sure, I didn't drive the entire way but sitting in a car is exhausting! Going to school so far from home has never been a problem, but every time I go home, I remember how much I missed it.
