Cape Cod - Day 1: Happy travels

I won't go into all the reasons why I haven't posted this week, but trust me, they're great ones (*cough* Arrested Development). The good news? I'm done with work until school starts again, which means more time for writing, and more time for doing stuff worth writing about.

Which brings me to my current location: yes, Cape Cod. The family's gotten together for the first time since Thanksgiving and decided, what brings us closer than bike paths, fried clams (after much discussion, I decided clams might have feelings too, so I'll be staying away from those delicious beach dwelling bellies, but don't worry, you hardcore carnivores, my dad has agreed to inhale enough for the both of us), crickets, state parks, and of course, an endless supply of locally (and not so locally) brewed beers? If your family is also looking for some blood bonding, I can say that after two days, the beer works the best. But if you read this morning's post, then you know I've already promised to post every day for the coming week, so let's start with day 1: the drive up.

Friday was my last day of work, and I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with my best pal Michele, and cap the night with a long walk accompanied by Kevin Patrick Gannon, mentioned in earlier posts as KPG. Needless to say, Friday was a good way to pop the cherry of my virgin vacation. Got home at two. Woke up at seven.

My brother and mom were away looking at colleges, so it was just my dad, Joe, my sister, Hannah, and me making the drive. We got our coffees and were on the road by nine. I took a solid nap and woke up somewhere in Connecticut alongside a gang of shirtless bikers. We pulled over so I could get behind the wheel and clock some hours on the highway. All was good for thirty miles or so... until we hit what would be the start of an epic stretch of bumper-to-bumper traffic. After spending five minutes stopped next to a 50 mph speed limit sign, I switched seats with my sister, switched on my beats, and switched my seat position to recline. Half the Pixies discography, the rest of my stockpiled This American Life, and a stuffed rest stop toilet later, we found ourselves entering Eastham, our final destination. Took us 8.5 hours at an average speed of 33 mph; look out Speed Racer.

We spent the rest of the evening drinking, dining, and laughing. Like the Huxtables...sort of.

P.S. I met Ethan and Valera, collectively known (along with Matt, who I've never met) as proshotfilms, once, at Carlos's. They're great guys and great filmmakers; clearly professionals. Howcast is hosting a "make-your-own-how-to" contest and the prize money is pretty hefty. Vote for these guys' video, and if they win, your life will be that much more fulfilled. If they lose, you'll have already made me feel better about myself, and them better about themselves, which should make you feel better about yourself, too. A win-win-win situation. Click this link, log in with your facebook info, watch and enjoy (optional), click the thumbs up (not optional).

*Clams by Joe Shlabotnik