CAR TRIP!

Youngsville, N.C. to Nashville, TN

     We left N.C. @ 9:00, just 1 hour past our designated leaving time.  The car was packed leaving just enough room for seating.  Some of our traveling items included our beloved fish Wobbles, 4 favorite house plants, some cleaning supplies, violins, and the porcelain christmas tree made by Grandma Great.
     The excitement was high, there was much to be talked about.  Our first point of interest was Falls Lake, I mentioned to Dwane that I saw an Egret:

Kate: An eagle! What's an eagle?

Madeline: Dad is this where we saw seagulls?

Dwane: I think Kate said eagles

Robb: Aren't they called gulls

Alexa: I don't see any seagulls

Kate: Is a seagull called and eagle?

Dwane: I think mom said, Egret!

Madeline: Oh, I thought she said eagle, are 

we going to see bald eagles?

Kate: No SeaGulls!

     When Madeline and Robb were young we used to live in North Carolina and during Seagull migration we'd wake up early and take the kids to Falls Lake to watch the birds.  They would come by the dozens, swooping inches about the water to catch fish.  It was a unique site of perfect amazing nature and simple family entertainment.
     The Smoky Mountains in TN were lovely, and being chilly outside, definitely smoky. Alexa and I played Bendaroos, and Math games, then decided we needed to nap.  Everyone else was also enjoying the smooth and quiet car ride. Our first bathroom stop we bought snacks, and thought it was interesting that the sign in the bathroom said, "Please don't steal the soap".
     We arrived in Nashville around 5:00, Dwane as usual booked an awesome two story hotel room.  The kids went ballistic, running up and down the stairs, hiding in the closets and exclaiming their amazement.  That night we headed into the city for some famous "Jacks B.B.Q", people were lined up along the street to enjoy this cafeteria style cuisine.   Robb wrote in the quest book, under comments, " I  hope it is worth the wait in line". (AND IT WAS) Ribs, cornbread, pulled pork, creamy mac & cheese, spiced apples..... After we inhaled the pork and fixins, we attempted to get a cowboy hat, but some of the shorter family members were done.  So we piled back into the car and headed to the hotel, past the replica of the Parthenon. (If you have seen the Percy Jackson movie you'll know what I am talking about) It is amazing. I guess we can cancel that trip to Greece now.

JACKS B.B.Q.

THE PARTHENON

Nashville, TN to Tulsa OK

Events of the day!

• Madeline and I were wedged in the middle of our sofa bed and laughed trying to get out.
• Breakfast was delicious especially because we were able to have hot cocoa with flavored creamer.
• The children tried to chase after some stray dogs.

Mom: What are you doing?

Kate: Are those recieven shepens dangerous?

• Suitcase pockets were filled with hotel mints, the kids thought this was such a intelligent idea.
• We sang christmas carols
• Robb teased his two little sister by tapping them on the head, he just loves to hear them scream.
• We saw a lot of very open, empty terrain
• Enjoyed Indian art at rest stops
• Ate dinner at Village Inn (It is a tradition)
• Robb sat on the hotel bed and it dropped to the floor. (Yikes....thank goodness it wasn't our fault) 
• Dwane said his cold is finally coming to an end
• Finally got into bed around 11 and crashed.

 REST STOP

OUR VIEW FOR MOST OF THE DAY

New Mexico to Flagstaff, AZ

By lunch time we were ready for an all fresco and on the map we saw a point of interest called the Meteor Crater.  It looked really cool so we decided to stop.

• Meteor Crater is a huge whole in the earth made by a Meteor (I know you were wondering about that)  You can walk around the edge if you're brave.  We decided to stay in the fenced areas.
• We got caught in a snow storm.  It was so heavy we could barely see the cars in front of us.
• We arrived early in Flagstaff, the hotel hostess thought that one of our kids was a dog. 
• Madeline, Robb, Alexa and I went swimming and Dwane stayed in the room with Kate, she had caught the cold.
• We bought hot pockets and chocolate milk for dinner.
• Dwane took Kate to urgent care, she was feeling really bad
• The rest of us played "Apples to Apples" and laughed so hard that our sides ached.
• Kate ended up having strep throat.
• We watched t.v. until bed time.

METEOR CRATER

 (part of the meteor that hit the surface)

 Look at the view, mountains on the horizon, but empty for as far as you can see.

 T.V. time in Flagstaff

Flagstaff, AZ to Salt Lake City, UT

• Thank goodness for antibiotics....Kate was feeling much better.
• Today was the day we had been waiting for our whole trip......The Grand Canyon
• It was completely breath taking.  The kids kept telling me it looked like it was unreal.  That it looked like a painted back dropped.
• Climbed to the top of the look out tower, what an neat piece of architecture.
• Ate corn dogs, and picked out post cards.
• Continued to stop along the Southern Rim.
• Enjoyed rock formations, Indian reservations, small towns, snow capped mnts. and finally a freeway that was wind free.
• Arrived in SLC @ 9:00 pm stopped to take a peek at our new place.  The kids loved it.

The look out tower

Sleeping 

Our cross country adventure was a little less adventurous this time, but there is nothing that can replace family time. Just being together and taking time to discover new things together. Listening to our children express their ideas and thoughts, and my personal favorite, watching them sleep.  Our trips always turn out to be a bundle of wonderful memories.