Saturday August 8, 2009
Today we leave Spokane excited to be on the last stretch of our trip. We stop a pretty overlook along the highway, and then drive to Ellensburg where we ate lunch at a BBQ restaurant. The food was very tasty, but we were all sad to be eating our last meal out. We drove to Olympia, dropped Nick off at his house, and then drove home. We all ran in to hug Tata. I find Zuko and kiss him to death (poor kitty).
We begin to unpack, with melancholy feelings. Our adventures are over, but at the same time, it feels so good to be home. I know this is a trip I will remember all my life. There were good times and bad times, but all the experiences will be memories and stories I will tell for the rest of my life.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
The Last Night
Friday August 7, 2009
We are not sure if we are going to drive home today or just stay somewhere in Eastern Washington. We set out from Missoula after another wonderful Holiday Inn Express breakfast. We were still looking for some horse back riding and our search lead us into a little town called Wallace, Idaho. It is an old mining town, but when we asked about horse back riding, they said that there was none in the area. Dejectedly, we all got back in the car. We drove on until we saw a state park and decided to stop. When we pulled into the parking lot of Old Mission State Park, Mama was surprised to recognize the place. We had stopped here on a previous vacation, but the mission had been closed. After watching the visitor center's movie, we walked up to the mission. It was very beautiful inside, and we were all happy we made this particular stop (Besides Myles who stayed in the car). Since we made these two stops, we decided not to drive all the way home, and instead stop in Spokane, Washington.
When we got to Spokane, we immediately went to have a Costco lunch! Yay! Then we made reservations at the Ramada Inn. It did not have complimentary breakfast, but it did have an awesome giant water slide! Gavyn got to chooses where we went for dinner, and he wanted to do a grocery store dinner. We each got six dollars, and went into Safeway and bought whatever we wanted, as long as we had protein, healthy food, and a drink. Then we drove to the hotel room, and watched the new episode of Psych. Then we went to the pool, which was awesome because it was 8 feet deep. This is the first pool all trip that has been more than 5 feet. The water slide was also fun. We went back up to the room, showered, ate, and played a party game. It was a very fun last night of vacation.
We are not sure if we are going to drive home today or just stay somewhere in Eastern Washington. We set out from Missoula after another wonderful Holiday Inn Express breakfast. We were still looking for some horse back riding and our search lead us into a little town called Wallace, Idaho. It is an old mining town, but when we asked about horse back riding, they said that there was none in the area. Dejectedly, we all got back in the car. We drove on until we saw a state park and decided to stop. When we pulled into the parking lot of Old Mission State Park, Mama was surprised to recognize the place. We had stopped here on a previous vacation, but the mission had been closed. After watching the visitor center's movie, we walked up to the mission. It was very beautiful inside, and we were all happy we made this particular stop (Besides Myles who stayed in the car). Since we made these two stops, we decided not to drive all the way home, and instead stop in Spokane, Washington.
When we got to Spokane, we immediately went to have a Costco lunch! Yay! Then we made reservations at the Ramada Inn. It did not have complimentary breakfast, but it did have an awesome giant water slide! Gavyn got to chooses where we went for dinner, and he wanted to do a grocery store dinner. We each got six dollars, and went into Safeway and bought whatever we wanted, as long as we had protein, healthy food, and a drink. Then we drove to the hotel room, and watched the new episode of Psych. Then we went to the pool, which was awesome because it was 8 feet deep. This is the first pool all trip that has been more than 5 feet. The water slide was also fun. We went back up to the room, showered, ate, and played a party game. It was a very fun last night of vacation.
An Old Fashioned Soda Fountain
Thursday August 6, 2009
Today we planned to drive to Missoula, Montana, which was about a four hour drive. We needed something to brake p the driving, so we decided to stop at a soda fountain that was written about in our road food book. It was called Coles, and it was very cute and old-fashioned. Gavyn had a black and white, Myles had a phosphate, Nick had a Big Sky, I had chocolate ice cream with the special huckleberry sauce, and Mama had a chocolate peanut butter milkshake. It was a fun stop and a very yummy snack.
We drove the rest of the way to Missoula, which turned out to be a very nice college town. We ate a yummy Mexican dinner, and searched for a place to stay. Finally, we decided on the Holiday Inn Express. We had a free night there, and Mama booked the free night online in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express :). We were very tired because it was very late, so we all went straight to bed.
Today we planned to drive to Missoula, Montana, which was about a four hour drive. We needed something to brake p the driving, so we decided to stop at a soda fountain that was written about in our road food book. It was called Coles, and it was very cute and old-fashioned. Gavyn had a black and white, Myles had a phosphate, Nick had a Big Sky, I had chocolate ice cream with the special huckleberry sauce, and Mama had a chocolate peanut butter milkshake. It was a fun stop and a very yummy snack.
We drove the rest of the way to Missoula, which turned out to be a very nice college town. We ate a yummy Mexican dinner, and searched for a place to stay. Finally, we decided on the Holiday Inn Express. We had a free night there, and Mama booked the free night online in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express :). We were very tired because it was very late, so we all went straight to bed.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Wednesday August 5, 2009
This morning we woke up, broke down camp, and went in to explore the park. We did part of the senic loopincluding a small hike along the edge of Wind Canyon. Nick was not very happy about how high up we were, but even he could not deny how beautiful the views were. Along the drive we also stopped at a prairie dog town. They were so cute, poking their little heads out of the ground. During the drive, we also saw a herd of Buffalo, a lone wild horse, three wild horses, and a single buffalo right next to the road. It was very pretty, and everyone wished we had a week to spend at beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We left the park, and drove all the way to Billings. We got a room at the Country Inn and Suites, and then went across the street to eat Chinese food. It was so yummy! Tired and full we went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
This morning we woke up, broke down camp, and went in to explore the park. We did part of the senic loopincluding a small hike along the edge of Wind Canyon. Nick was not very happy about how high up we were, but even he could not deny how beautiful the views were. Along the drive we also stopped at a prairie dog town. They were so cute, poking their little heads out of the ground. During the drive, we also saw a herd of Buffalo, a lone wild horse, three wild horses, and a single buffalo right next to the road. It was very pretty, and everyone wished we had a week to spend at beautiful Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We left the park, and drove all the way to Billings. We got a room at the Country Inn and Suites, and then went across the street to eat Chinese food. It was so yummy! Tired and full we went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
Camping in Medora
Tuesday August 4, 2009
Today, sadly, was mostly a driving day. We drove from Minot to Medora, only stopping to look at some view points. Medora is a small town, right outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We decided to camp there, because it was so beautiful. The overlooks we saw from the freeway were so beautiful. We set up camp, then went in to town and bought hot dogs for Myles and I, and buffalo burgers for Nick, Gavyn, and Chris. We got them cooked over our small fire, and had a satisfying dinner. I was very tired, so I went to bed directly after that. I think that the rest of the family stayed up and played some cards.
Today, sadly, was mostly a driving day. We drove from Minot to Medora, only stopping to look at some view points. Medora is a small town, right outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We decided to camp there, because it was so beautiful. The overlooks we saw from the freeway were so beautiful. We set up camp, then went in to town and bought hot dogs for Myles and I, and buffalo burgers for Nick, Gavyn, and Chris. We got them cooked over our small fire, and had a satisfying dinner. I was very tired, so I went to bed directly after that. I think that the rest of the family stayed up and played some cards.
The Geographical Center of North America
Monday August 3, 2009
After a satisfying continental breakfast, we set out. We decided that today we were going to drive to the geographical center of North America. So instead of driving straight through North Dakota, we drove up to Grand Forks, and then across. Along the way we saw America’s largest structure, which was a TV tower that is 2,063 feet high. Then we continued on, eating lunch from the cooler along Turtle River. After driving for another two hours, we arrived at the geographical center of North America! IT was very fun, especially since earlier in the vacation we stopped at the geographical center of the continental United States. We stayed in Minot, at a creepy hotel called The Vegas. The best part about Minot was the place we went for dinner, a cute little dinner called Krolls. They had delicious milkshakes, and some interesting German Food. It was a weird little place, but the food was good.
After a satisfying continental breakfast, we set out. We decided that today we were going to drive to the geographical center of North America. So instead of driving straight through North Dakota, we drove up to Grand Forks, and then across. Along the way we saw America’s largest structure, which was a TV tower that is 2,063 feet high. Then we continued on, eating lunch from the cooler along Turtle River. After driving for another two hours, we arrived at the geographical center of North America! IT was very fun, especially since earlier in the vacation we stopped at the geographical center of the continental United States. We stayed in Minot, at a creepy hotel called The Vegas. The best part about Minot was the place we went for dinner, a cute little dinner called Krolls. They had delicious milkshakes, and some interesting German Food. It was a weird little place, but the food was good.
Wisconsin Cheese
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Breakfast was rather a disappointment, because the hotel ran out of food. But we ate what we could, and set out towards Minnesota. There was not much of Wisconsin left, so we were looking desperately for cheese. We finally found the Cady Cheese Factory! It was very cute, and of course filled with cheese. We bought some cheese curds to eat, and went back on to the highway. We didn’t make another detour until Minneapolis, where we stopped at the Mall of America. It was huge! The Mall of America had an entire theme park inside of it! We just stopped to eat at its colossal food court. Then Nick bought two new pairs of jeans, and Chris bought some new shampoo. Then we left to see how far we could drive before nightfall. We made it to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. We stayed at an AmercInn, which was actually a very nice hotel.
Breakfast was rather a disappointment, because the hotel ran out of food. But we ate what we could, and set out towards Minnesota. There was not much of Wisconsin left, so we were looking desperately for cheese. We finally found the Cady Cheese Factory! It was very cute, and of course filled with cheese. We bought some cheese curds to eat, and went back on to the highway. We didn’t make another detour until Minneapolis, where we stopped at the Mall of America. It was huge! The Mall of America had an entire theme park inside of it! We just stopped to eat at its colossal food court. Then Nick bought two new pairs of jeans, and Chris bought some new shampoo. Then we left to see how far we could drive before nightfall. We made it to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. We stayed at an AmercInn, which was actually a very nice hotel.
Mount Olympus
Saturday, August 1, 2009
This morning we packed quickly and set off for Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park. When we got there, the first thing we did was ride Hades, the world’s longest underground roller coaster. It was so much fun. When we crested the largest hill, we dropped straight down underground. It was super fun! But, the best part of the park was Poseidon’s Rage. It was the greatest wave pool ever. Every two minutes a nine foot wave would come crashing over us. Because Nick is such a strong swimmer, we always had a place right in the front of the crowd. We spent about two hours in Poseidon’s Rage, and later came back to play in it again. We also went on a lazy river, called The River Troy, which had the fastest current of any lazy river ever.
Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park was really fun. Of course the best part was that is all Greek Mythology, which was very fun. After we shopped for souvenirs, we left the park at about five. We didn’t want to spend another night in Wisconsin Dells because the hotel prices were so high because of all the amusement parks. So we drove for about two hours to Eau Claire, and stayed at an old hotel.
This morning we packed quickly and set off for Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park. When we got there, the first thing we did was ride Hades, the world’s longest underground roller coaster. It was so much fun. When we crested the largest hill, we dropped straight down underground. It was super fun! But, the best part of the park was Poseidon’s Rage. It was the greatest wave pool ever. Every two minutes a nine foot wave would come crashing over us. Because Nick is such a strong swimmer, we always had a place right in the front of the crowd. We spent about two hours in Poseidon’s Rage, and later came back to play in it again. We also went on a lazy river, called The River Troy, which had the fastest current of any lazy river ever.
Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park was really fun. Of course the best part was that is all Greek Mythology, which was very fun. After we shopped for souvenirs, we left the park at about five. We didn’t want to spend another night in Wisconsin Dells because the hotel prices were so high because of all the amusement parks. So we drove for about two hours to Eau Claire, and stayed at an old hotel.
Bye-Bye Logan and Aunty Up
Friday, July 31, 2009
After a breakfast that is noisy and busy (our hotel appears to be taken over by a teenage boy baseball tournament and there really isn’t enough food), we say our goodbyes to Aunty Up, Uncle Tom and Logan. They are off to sight-see in Chicago and we are on our way west to visit Wisconsin Dells. While the kids pack the room, Mama takes Big Red to Jiffy Lube for an oil change and to have the fluids and tires checked. Just before we scoot out we book a free room at the Holiday Inn in Wisconsin Dells – we earned two so far this vacation, and we hit the road. We have some more space in the van, but we are sad. Unfortunately our 3 hours drive stretches to 5 when we hit massive traffic in a construction zone, We spend 45 minutes actually parked on the freeway. Good thing we are not in a hurry. We arrive at Wisconsin Dells and check in to the hotel. It is about 5pm. The reason we are visiting this town is because it is famous for its water parks and other kid amusements. We debate whether we should head to the kids preferred destination – Mt. Olympus Water Park and Theme Park for the evening or wait until morning. We are tired, so the kids opt to eat leftover deep dish pizza for dinner, and then go for a swim in the hotel pool which is enormous and does have water slides. We tuck in early and prepare for a busy day tomorrow.
After a breakfast that is noisy and busy (our hotel appears to be taken over by a teenage boy baseball tournament and there really isn’t enough food), we say our goodbyes to Aunty Up, Uncle Tom and Logan. They are off to sight-see in Chicago and we are on our way west to visit Wisconsin Dells. While the kids pack the room, Mama takes Big Red to Jiffy Lube for an oil change and to have the fluids and tires checked. Just before we scoot out we book a free room at the Holiday Inn in Wisconsin Dells – we earned two so far this vacation, and we hit the road. We have some more space in the van, but we are sad. Unfortunately our 3 hours drive stretches to 5 when we hit massive traffic in a construction zone, We spend 45 minutes actually parked on the freeway. Good thing we are not in a hurry. We arrive at Wisconsin Dells and check in to the hotel. It is about 5pm. The reason we are visiting this town is because it is famous for its water parks and other kid amusements. We debate whether we should head to the kids preferred destination – Mt. Olympus Water Park and Theme Park for the evening or wait until morning. We are tired, so the kids opt to eat leftover deep dish pizza for dinner, and then go for a swim in the hotel pool which is enormous and does have water slides. We tuck in early and prepare for a busy day tomorrow.
Chicago Deep Dish Pizza
Thursday, July 30, 2009
First we wanted to give a shout out to our friend Mona W. who celebrated a birthday today. Hope it was a great one. In the morning we broke camp and spent a little extra time sorting and re-packing the car. Today we journey to the Chicago area and that is where Aunty Up and Logan will be leaving our adventure. We needed to extract their stuff and get them ready to leave. Everyone is sad because this is our last day together. Mama will miss the adult company. It will be sad not to hear Logan’s suggestions for dinner and his interesting comments on what we see and do. We decide to drive to skirt Chicago – the kids give thumbs down to exploring another big city, so we choose to go to Joliet to a hotel near I-55 so Uncle Tom will not have trouble meeting us. We arrive with no problems, to find that Tom has beaten us to our destination and we quickly settle in. The kids run to swim in the pool! We decide to go out and sample Chicago deep dish pizza. We end up at a little bar – Maurie’s Table. The kids play some video games and enjoy some appetizers as we wait an almost endless 40 minutes for our pizza to cook. We agree that it is delicious but there is a lot of it left over. Deep dish pizza is filling! We get back to the hotel quite late. A rousing pillow fight marks Logan’s last night with us and we all tuck in.
First we wanted to give a shout out to our friend Mona W. who celebrated a birthday today. Hope it was a great one. In the morning we broke camp and spent a little extra time sorting and re-packing the car. Today we journey to the Chicago area and that is where Aunty Up and Logan will be leaving our adventure. We needed to extract their stuff and get them ready to leave. Everyone is sad because this is our last day together. Mama will miss the adult company. It will be sad not to hear Logan’s suggestions for dinner and his interesting comments on what we see and do. We decide to drive to skirt Chicago – the kids give thumbs down to exploring another big city, so we choose to go to Joliet to a hotel near I-55 so Uncle Tom will not have trouble meeting us. We arrive with no problems, to find that Tom has beaten us to our destination and we quickly settle in. The kids run to swim in the pool! We decide to go out and sample Chicago deep dish pizza. We end up at a little bar – Maurie’s Table. The kids play some video games and enjoy some appetizers as we wait an almost endless 40 minutes for our pizza to cook. We agree that it is delicious but there is a lot of it left over. Deep dish pizza is filling! We get back to the hotel quite late. A rousing pillow fight marks Logan’s last night with us and we all tuck in.
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