For Daniel and Albina Thoma, a weekly 20-mile drive from their home in Townsend, Del., to Elkton proved to be a trip worth $8.3 million.

Yesterday, Mr. and Mrs. Thoma accepted a facsimile check for $8.3 million from the State Lottery Agency a week and a day after they bought a winning Lotto ticket.

They didn't even realize they had won until a week after the drawing and were so nervous about driving to Baltimore yesterday -- on Mr. Thoma's 61st birthday -- that they rented a limousine for the trip.

The Thomas bought their winning ticket with the numbers 08-09-22-28-30-43 June 15 from Brantwood Liquors in Elkton for that night's drawing. They travel to Elkton every Wednesday to check their 30-foot boat docked at a marina.

Mr. and Mrs. Thoma will get their first payment of $411,832.32 (before taxes) Monday in a ceremony at the liquor store.

They will collect 19 more yearly before-taxes payments of $414,000 each.

The Thomas said they have no plans for their wealth, although Mrs. Thoma said they were interested in buying a log cabin near Elkton.

Mr. Thoma said a party might be in order.