Wednesday Night Commute around 9:00 pm

I'm quite certain you tell by the photo above, this was NOT a great night for a drive through the HRBT!  

If you only travel through the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) during the work-day hours, you have NO IDEA what fun you've been missing!

Prior to August 10, 2012, I had NO reason to travel through the HRBT after regular business hours.  Although my wonderful son and beautiful daughter lived in Virginia Beach, I was doing my best to be a good mother-in-law (by NOT intruding).  However, the evening of August 10, 2012, that ALL CHANGED!  That was the night I became a GRANDMOTHER!

This picture was taken the Night Harper was born:  Friday, August 10, 2012, around 6 pm

Harper with her PROUD daddy!

I made the decision, shortly after Harper's birth, I wanted to create a very special relationship with my granddaughter.  I wanted my granddaughter to know her grandmother, and for her to WANT to spend time with me.  The only way to do that would be by spending lots of time with her to create a VERY SPECIAL relationship.  If we spent time together, she would KNOW how much her grandmother LOVED HER, and she would want to be with her grandmother too!  (Not to mention, the GREAT TIMES we would have together; she would look forward to my visits!)

Almost immediately, I asked if I could come over and visit Harper one night a week after work.  (I remember when my children were little, it was difficult to take the baby out due to the numerous items you need to carry with you to care for the baby.)  I still didn't want to intrude, but hoped this would be the easiest way for all of us.  They graciously allowed me to come and I have really enjoyed spending time with Harper AND Peter (my son); not to metion getting to know my amazing daughter-in-law!

Shortly after I started my regular weekly visits, CONSTRUCTION began on Interstate 64 (East and West-bound) in the evenings.  Now, I agree it is much better to do the raod-work at night (when the traffic is significantly reduced); however, two and three lanes closed at one time is a bit extreme!  I don't care if there are fewer cars on the road, when you only have ONE LANE to get through, the traffic is HORRIFIC!!!!  I hate to admit, I use to hope for RAIN on "grandbaby night" so construction wouldn't be an option!  But no matter what happened on the interstate (or anywhere else for that matter), I would do whatever it took to spend time with my grandbaby!  (As a matter of fact, it's become a joke at work. On grandbaby night, everyone KNOWS to get out of my way at quitting time!  I'M OUT THE DOOR ON TIME!)

As times gone by (Harper will be two this August), the construction on the west-bound  side of the interstate has reduced.  The bad news, it's MOVED TO THE TUNNEL!!!!

I think the next few pictures will tell the story of my commute Wednesday night!

I want to tell you that I didn't see ONE VDOT EMPLOYEE the entire time I was TRYING to get TO OR THROUGH THE TUNNEL!!!!  NOT ONE!!!!

The commute took a very long time (as THE TUNNEL WAS CLOSED when I left Virginia Beach and opened just about the time I got TO the tunnel).  When the tunnel reopened, it was reduced to one lane for construction.  

I'm happy to report, I sang with the Christian artists on K-LOVE the WHOLE RIDE HOME!  And even though it takes a bit longer, there is NO WAY I will discontinue "Grandbaby Night," EVER!!!  I ADORE MY HARPER BEAR!