A Long Drive

on April 23, 2011
in All Posts

TWSS!  No really, that’s what I did say at the end of our epic road trip from Charlotte to Gainesville, Florida to Palm Coast, Florida.  All combined, we covered about 550 miles.  It was all worth it though because I got to have dinner with my grandpa.  He’s nearly 94 now!

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Grandpa back in the day – hottie!  He’s on the right.

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We ate a restaurant called TooJay’s, which is a deli with really nice vegetarian options. I got the Greek platter, which was basically hummus, pitas, and fresh fruit and veggies.

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It was a good meal but I had to eat within sight of this, so I lost my appetite. ;)  It’s all about the U, baby.

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Dessert was two mini black and white cookies (the waitress asked if I wanted blue and orange Gator cookies and I gagged a little bit).  

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Feel free to talk college football smack in the comments section if you disagree with my feelings about UF!  ;)  I can dish it and take it, too!

 

We drove two hours and ended up at my in-laws’ house in Palm Coast.  I ate a slice of Domino’s cheese pizza, sat in their hot tub, and collapsed in bed.

 

Well, by “bed,” I mean this insanely uncomfortable air mattress.  My birthday is in three days, and this stupid air mattress really drove home the fact that my back is no longer the back of a mid-20er.   

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Luckily, I have this chair to sleep in all…day… long.  :) 

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Breakfast was a big bowl of:

 

  • Shredded wheat
  • Almonds
  • Strawberries
  • Almond mix

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That chair is calling my name… Time to catch some ZZZs!

 

PS – The winner of the reader appreciation giveaway is Jessica Taboada!

{ 77 comments }

 

  • Kelly April 23, 2011, 8:58 am

    I can’t believe your grandpa is 94…you’ve got some good genes!! 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

  • Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out April 23, 2011, 9:00 am

    Gag, I hate FLORIDA, too. But I’m a U of Tennessee fan. So I’m potentially just as bad.

    • Christena April 23, 2011, 3:44 pm

      GO VOLS!

      • Kathy F. April 23, 2011, 7:11 pm

        I second this!

  • Shari April 23, 2011, 9:05 am

    I am so jealous of your pizza & black and white cookies … there’s still three more days to go for Passover, and I’d give just about anything to eat those right now 😛

    Enjoy the weekend with your family!!

  • Fit Chick Britt April 23, 2011, 9:07 am

    I think the chair by the pool and a hot tub make up for the air mattress. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  • Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table April 23, 2011, 9:09 am

    I am a proud GATOR HATER!!! Go ‘Noles! 😉

    • Caitlin April 23, 2011, 9:10 am

      I can get behind that.

    • Rachael April 24, 2011, 9:21 am

      Yes! Go Noles!

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) April 23, 2011, 9:11 am

    I’m a Gator Hater, too, but it’s because I bleed red and black- GO DAWGS! 🙂

  • Karen April 23, 2011, 9:12 am

    Has anyone told you that you look like your grandpa? I mean that in the best possible way. Looking at his pic as a young man, I see remarkable similarities. 🙂

    • Caitlin April 23, 2011, 9:13 am

      Thanks, that comment makes me happy 🙂 We have the same hook nose!

      • Amber K April 23, 2011, 10:13 am

        The nose! That’s what it is. I thought the same thing. I love looking like people I love. 🙂

      • Mary April 23, 2011, 6:40 pm

        you also have the same smile 🙂

    • Kris April 23, 2011, 4:48 pm

      Yes, both Grandpa and you are so beautiful! I sleep on a air mattress at my mom’s — so uncomfie!

  • Jo @ Jo In the Kitchen April 23, 2011, 9:13 am

    That pool looks amazing! Oh to live in a warmer climate 🙂

  • Kelly April 23, 2011, 9:15 am

    I feel the same way when I get around a Dook fan or Dook stuff in general.

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food April 23, 2011, 9:15 am

    ohh what a wonderful weekend filled with family! 🙂

    have a great time!

  • Freya April 23, 2011, 9:17 am

    Wow, 94? He looks awesome! And SO similar to the black and white photo. I love looking at pics of elderly people when they were young..I gotta say, my Grandpa was quite a fox LOL!
    Have a good day 🙂

  • Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good April 23, 2011, 9:17 am

    Enjoy your family time. Happy Easter!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 23, 2011, 9:19 am

    How cool that your Grandpa is 94!!! Good genes for you! 🙂

    Enjoy your time at the pool!

  • Carol April 23, 2011, 9:19 am

    My favorite air mattress experience is of the one at my friends’ in England that deflated on me overnight. Only the one side stuck up from where you pump the air in. I spent most of the night tilting to one side. 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) April 23, 2011, 9:25 am

    Congrats Jessica! That’s awesome! I miss my granny. I need to go see her. She lives in Raleigh and I just don’t get there enough. Enjoy your family time Caitlin!

  • Tracy April 23, 2011, 9:27 am

    I HATE the Gators! With a passion. As all good Georgia Bulldogs do!

  • Becky April 23, 2011, 9:36 am

    I’m a Gator Hater as well. It’s all about the Carolina Gamecocks!

  • khushboo April 23, 2011, 9:41 am

    Ha ha that first line cracked me up. The pitta meal looks so fresh and delicious. Got anything planned for yo bday yet?

  • Amy April 23, 2011, 9:43 am

    Your grandfather is so handsome! I love seeing old pictures of my grandparents too. My own grandfather lived to be almost 92 and I still miss him every day.

    Happy early birthday!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit April 23, 2011, 9:54 am

    Long drive! Hope you get some rest. I LOVE shredded wheat!

  • Ally April 23, 2011, 9:55 am

    That’s so awesome you got to hang with your grandfather! My Nonna (‘grandmother’ in italian) is my last living grandparent but she’s making it count-she’ll be 80 in June! 🙂

  • Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries April 23, 2011, 10:01 am

    Ahhh I love you even more now that you have revealed that you are a Gator Hater!! I went to Florida State so of course I would gag at the thought of blue and orange cookies as well 😉

  • Jennifer April 23, 2011, 10:04 am

    Knoxville girl here..the only cookies I’ll eat are orange and white baby! Go Vols 🙂 Have a great time with your family this beautiful holiday weekend and an easy safe trip home 🙂

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape April 23, 2011, 10:04 am

    I love black and white cookies!! I made them a few months ago and made an absolute mess in my kitchen with all the icing.

    And dont’ feel too bad about that bed. As a 20-something, even my back hurts looking at it!

  • john April 23, 2011, 10:05 am

    Caitlin, Don’t get sunburned. Thinking of genes, I bet you would make a great golfer. Have a great weekend, love you guys.GO VOLS

  • Lindsey April 23, 2011, 10:08 am

    I slept on a trundle bed last night, and woke up SO achy! And I just turned 20 a few days ago! So sad.

    And….Roll Tide!

  • Amber K April 23, 2011, 10:15 am

    I’m going to be 28 next month and I already feel like I’m in my 30’s! Maybe it’s because my husband is and his friends are. But I just don’t even consider myself young anymore. But hey, I can stay young at heart!

  • chelsea April 23, 2011, 10:26 am

    I can deff tell that I am not in my early 20’s anymore! Have a fun warm weekend in Florida!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) April 23, 2011, 10:38 am

    Aw, your grandpa is so cute! Have a good time 🙂

  • Katie Oakley April 23, 2011, 10:39 am

    I loooove the Greek platter at TooJays, although I’ve never eaten at the one in Gainesville…I avoid that town at all costs! I’m a Nole through and through 🙂

  • Anne Weber-Falk April 23, 2011, 10:59 am

    Congrats to Jessica T for winning the food processor. Love your blog Caitlin. Thanks for the nice chance to have a food processor.

  • Caroline April 23, 2011, 11:02 am

    I’m from St. Pete, but up at school in Ohio. I love Toojays! My mom’s office is down the street from one in Tampa and I meet her there for lunch all the time when I’m home.

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun April 23, 2011, 11:05 am

    Your grandfather reminds me of mine. He is turning 90 this year and still so full of life. That pic of yours makes me want one of mine in his WW2 gear.

    And I would have gagged at the thought of orange and blue cookies too. Hate the Gators! I’m a UGA gal myself.

  • Sarah April 23, 2011, 11:11 am

    Awww, spending time with grandparents is sooo precious! You know, I can definitely see a family resemblance there between you two.

    And I’m seriously jealous of you having that chair!

  • Camille April 23, 2011, 11:15 am

    Bahaha! There is never a bad time for a “that’s what she said” joke 🙂

  • The Teenage Taste April 23, 2011, 11:20 am

    Glad you are taking a much needed rest, Caitlin! You deserve it! 😀

  • Kim April 23, 2011, 11:24 am

    No Florida smack talk from me. I’m from Missouri so we just make fun of Kansas. We all know why all the trees in Missouri lean to the west.

  • Anne @thefitbridesmaid April 23, 2011, 11:52 am

    COLLEGE FOOTBALL SMACK TALK! Well my dad went to Miami University, you know that one that was a university when Florida belonged to Spain? (Yeah, my family has a bit of a bias AGAINST “the U”.)

    And my fiance’s family all went to Tennessee, so there’s that hatred of Florida.

    As for me, BOILER UP! (and buck the f**keyes!)

  • Katie April 23, 2011, 11:55 am

    I’m a PENN STATE football fan all the way!!! Gotta love the Nittany Lions and JoePa 🙂

    • Cara April 23, 2011, 12:02 pm

      I totally second that! 🙂

  • emily April 23, 2011, 11:56 am

    oh man I feel for you on the air mattress! I spent the weekend before the boston marathon in a hotel, but on the night after the race we couldn’t find one for less than like 700 dollars so we stayed with one of my friends from college on his air mattress. Post-marathon legs + air mattress=worst sleep of my life.

  • Cara April 23, 2011, 12:01 pm

    Wow so jealous that you are spending your day by the pool! I hope you have an awesome and relaxing weekend!

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 23, 2011, 12:11 pm

    Confession: black and white cookies were my NYC breakfast! This was pre-RD days, I swear!

  • Christine April 23, 2011, 12:14 pm

    Go UCLA! We’re never a threat and not in your conference, though 🙂 Air mattresses are never, ever comfortable…

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley April 23, 2011, 12:17 pm

    I’ve never seen shredded wheat that big before!!!!
    Your grandpa looks so good for 94! I would have never guessed.

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope April 23, 2011, 12:36 pm

    How great that you got to spend time with your Grandpa! I’m the same way about air mattresses, and I’m 19. 😉 They are terrible! Enjoy that comfy lounge chair though… looks fabulous!

  • Clare - Never Niche April 23, 2011, 12:41 pm

    I would be afraid to blog a negative comment about a sleeping arrangement my in-laws put together!

    Your grandpa is totally adorable. As for college football, my loyalties lie with Miami of OHIO. 😉

    • Caitlin April 23, 2011, 4:20 pm

      It’s my air matress so its my own fault 🙁

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas April 23, 2011, 12:58 pm

    So nice that you get to spend time with your G-pa.. Cheers to him for looking so healthy for 94! Have a great time!

  • Allison @ Happy Tales April 23, 2011, 1:04 pm

    You’re grandpa must be THRILLED to have y’all visiting!!! And you must be so happy to be back down in FL — enjoy your time there!!!! Can’t wait to celebrate your bday with y’all next week!

  • Abby April 23, 2011, 1:20 pm

    I’m so envious of that poolside chair! That looks heavenly! 🙂

  • becca April 23, 2011, 1:41 pm

    Not sure how close you are to this, but there’s a great restaurany in Delray Beach called Green Gourmet. They have AMAZING smoothies and some delicious food.

  • Ashley @ the fit academic April 23, 2011, 1:55 pm

    Looks like a lovely pool-side spot! Glad you made it there safely!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss April 23, 2011, 1:55 pm

    Glad you had a grea time with your grandpa! And he is quite the handsome soldier 😉

  • Gloria April 23, 2011, 2:23 pm

    As soon as I read you were at Toojay’s I thought to myself “ooo I hope she got a B&W cookie!” Excellent call 🙂

    Today would NOT be a good day for us Gator fans to talk smack! Our senior cornerback, Janoris Jenkins, just got arrested for pot… again. Fail.

  • Kacy April 23, 2011, 2:35 pm

    A day by the pool sounds fabulous!

  • Kendall April 23, 2011, 4:07 pm

    Looks like your trip is going nicely! That salad looks so awesome. I am a huge finger food type of eater, and that salad is simple and delicious looking for sure.

    Gotta say, I am a Seminoles fan by relation- reppin’ it for my mama! But I think we can all rejoice in Gator hatin’. 😉

  • Kelly April 23, 2011, 4:57 pm

    Just found your blog and think you are hilarous! I am a FSU fan for my life and def a GATOR hater 🙂

  • Kelly April 23, 2011, 4:58 pm

    Just found your blog and think you are hilarious! I am a FSU fan for my life and def a GATOR hater

  • Michelle April 23, 2011, 6:11 pm

    I definitely agree that UF blows (I really think their fans are the most obnoxious). Although, I went to Florida State, so I can’t say anything nice about Miami — so instead I’ll just say Go Noles!

  • Katy (The Singing Runner) April 23, 2011, 8:24 pm

    Listen, I was born and raised in Gainesville so I am a Gator tried and true. 😉

    Orange and blue for life! 😀

  • Megs April 23, 2011, 8:40 pm

    I am a proud graduate of the University of South Florida – Go Bulls. Growing up in Jacksonville, FL, I could never escape the obnoxious Gator fans (most didn’t even go to UF!). Now, I love when people say, “Oh, you didn’t go to UF…” as though it’s a bad thing and I get to say, “Nope. I actually turned down being a Gator.” It feels awesome.

  • Kathy @ newlywedindc April 23, 2011, 10:09 pm

    I don’t care about college football but I hate the gators – ugh, it stems from all the annoying gator fans I worked with when I lived in Orlando

  • Rachael April 24, 2011, 9:24 am

    I grew up in the West Palm Beach, FL area so lunch at TooJay’s was at least a monthly tradition for us. Black and white cookies are the beeesssttt! So happy to see a shout out to TooJay’s! …and Go Noles!

  • Christina April 24, 2011, 9:35 am

    Ha I so hear that about sleeping on an air mattress. When I visit relative I’m have to plan to make sure I get a bed.

  • Brittany @ Pretty Fit, Pretty Healthy, Pretty Happy April 24, 2011, 10:25 am

    I can’t help but say…
    GO NOLES!!!!
    Since we beat both UF AND Miami this year. 🙂

    Also… I think I would’ve gagged too if someone tried to give me a Gator cookie.

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 25, 2011, 12:03 am

    Congrats to Jessica, and HAPPY EASTER to you Caitlin!

  • Rachel April 26, 2011, 4:27 pm

    OMG! Someone who has been to Palm Coast! My boyfriend’s aunt and uncle live there and we spent a week there this past summer. Hope you had fun!

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