Well, here goes the story of our 4877 miles, 74+ hours driving vacation 6/28/11-7/10/11. It was long, but oh so worth it!!!
This is us all packed up and ready to go. That is our new (used) 2008 Saturn Outlook. A dream to drive, it was great for the trip and fit all the stuff we needed to take out and bring back - comfortably!
This is Wyoming and I-80 that I don't know if it ever has a beginning or an end, it just goes on and on and on.
We did a detour stop at Martin Cove in Wyoming. This is one of our church historical sites. This is the place where the ill-fated Willie and Martin Hand Cart Companies needed to be rescued on their journey west in the days of the pioneers. Many members of both companies died on their trek west.
This deer/antelope was at the exit of Martin Cove as we left and it paused just long enough for me to take this picture. It was only about 30 feet from our car!
We made it safely to Bry & Mark's. This is us visiting Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It was hot that day, but a wonderful time for us to be there together.
These were in Wyoming, it is awesome to see so many of these wind turbines around the country!
Here is our Bry!!!! 20 weeks in this picture and looking so cute with her 'honey bump' :) now she is 22 1/2 weeks - really hoping to make it another 15 1/2 or as close to that as she can get.
Here is a picture from our stop at the Grand Canyon. That is Scott in the blue shirt with Alexa just behind him. This is not the place to remember how afraid of heights you are. I just had to tell the kids they could go out to the lookout points, but without me, and they were to be very careful - no funny stuff.
After the Grand Canyon we headed south through Flagstaff to Phoenix. This deer sign was just south of Flagstaff and hilarious. Even in Wisconsin we don't have deer signs like this one. I know lots of hunters that would just about give their lives to bag a buck like the one picured - isn't that a 30 pointer?!?!
This was a cool cloud/thunderstorm we saw at the sunset point rest stop a ways north of Phoenix.
Now this is Pam (left) and I (right) in her pool. It was a great way to start our days. This is actually the morning of the notorious haboob (dust storm) that hit Phoenix. We didn't notice it too much in the West Valley, just that it got dark much earlier that evening.
Some cool cactus/yucca plants that lined the interstate on our way to Texas. Yes, I know, the trip isn't done yet. That was a 14 hour dirve day. Everything is bigger in Texas, even the miles!!!!!
Gwen & Greg in their apartment complex pool. We took a swim break in the late afternoon as it was way too hot during the heat of the day.
We saw quite a few dust devils as we traveled from Phoenix to Abilene. Most weren't good for pictures, but this one was quite close.
Bry taught the kids how to crochet and Meg worked the rest of the trip to finish this one. She added a button and uses it as a scripture bag for church. This was finished by the time we stopped in the middle of Missouri on our way home. Awesome job, Meg!
The St. Louis Arch. We hadn't planned on going directly to it, but a wrong turn by Mom and we were right at the park. Which turned out nicely for driving because it was only three or four blocks off the route. A quick stop and we were back on our way and into Illinois. No pictures of Illinois - nothing really to see there.
Lots of hours, miles and sights to see. I am so glad we did it. It isn't a trip we'll probably ever do again, but it was the only way I could figure we'd be able to see everyone we did. Now Alexa, Megan and Scott can picture where their sisters live and have seen things you don't see when flying. They also got re-acquainted with their Aunt Pam & Uncle Dennis, cousins Katie, Jennie, Lynn & her family. Can't put a price on all of that.
Now that we are home, it was right back into everything and busy as ever. I have been to 2 scout committee meetings, a Court of Honor, 2 scout nights, volunteered with Scott at the Humane Society, got the girls ready for Young Women Camp this week, worked two full weeks and getting Scott ready for scout camp next week. My grandmother used to say, "No rest for the weary' or 'No rest for the wicked'. I'll take the weary. Some days it's hard to tell. :) Fred did miss us and was glad to have us home. He had dinner ready for us on the 10th. It was good to be home.
May you have a wonderful weekend, stay cool, and make the effort to plan that once in a lifetime vacation. We aren't getting any younger.
Love ya, Bren
No comments:
Post a Comment