cross country conundrum

My family is from right here, Paul's is all in Minnesota. I often feel guilty that he does not see his family as often as I'm able to see mine. We go to Minnesota once a year, sometimes he goes more. But, it's damn expensive to get to Minnesota. We are lucky that his parents have the ability to help us get from one end to the other. We go every Thanksgiving. Paul went home in January because his big bro got married. Thanksgiving with the Schwarz's; EVERYONE getting together and eating/drinking to the brim, then a Thanksgiving bowl where everyone continues to drink...fine family fun!! We did miss Thanksgiving one year because we were in DisneyWorld. I would have felt bad, but Paul had a blast and really wants to go back.

So, the Minnesota Schwarz's have a family reunion coming up...Paul says that everyone alive on Gma Schwarz's side will be there...coming in from all parts of the country...Thanksgiving times ten...this year its scheduled for July 24th...we find out about it TODAY!! WHAT??

Thanksgiving plane tickets are expensive, but they are always bought a month ahead of time with Dad Schwarz's credit card. How the poo are we supposed to swing on up there knowing a week before hand??

Here's how we start: reunion this weekend, wanna drive it?? about 960 miles, maybe 12-14 hours...

Until it's mapquested: more like 1400 miles, 21 hours...wanna fly it??

Until it's travelocitied: between $300-$400...each. not to mention fur babies to shack up!

Ok, well one of us can go...Paul obviously...

Until he thinks about how bored he was last time he went without me :)
...can we fly up and drive home??

I don't know...never rented a car before...what kinda money does that look like??

Paul's next text: 1400/80 is 17.5, and 1400n90 is 15.5

Do what??? Have I been looking at too many numbers in the midst of my persistent stomach bug, or does that make no sense?? Do car rental places have their own language/ monetary system?? Do we name our own price?? Is that mileage language??

I'm so confused...could we just ask Minnesota Schwarz's to postpone the reunion until next month when we've had a chance to review and decipher this new car rental language??