We left Richmond on January 6 (Little Christmas) and drove to Fayetteville, NC (Jessica and Eric were right--as soon as we got away from Richmond the road became straight, not busy and basically boring but easy to drive.  We stayed at the Quality Inn right at the exit off of I-95.  That was the first hotel where Minnow was allowed everywhere except the restaurant!  The temperature dropped to the teens that night, with lots of wind.