Apple Picking Again

On October 15, 2010, we returned to northern Georgia for a weekend of camping and apple picking. Terry and the kids met me at my workplace on their way through and we reached the campsite just before the sun set.



The weather was just perfect and we headed out the next morning for apples and a hike, once again, at Amicalola Falls.

A little pit stop for Ellie on the way up.



After getting our apples we headed to Amicalola Falls. It was much warmer this year and the apples were not as fresh and crisp. It was a little disappointing.











The next day the kids and I went into Atlanta for some shopping. Terry stayed at the campsite with Ellie and then we had a nice fire that night.



It was a really fun weekend, the weather was great, and it was nice having that time together away from school and work!

Great Lakes, Illinois Terence's Graduation 8/13/10

During our last trip we discovered that the journey was just as important as the destination. Flip that for this trip. This time it was all about the destination...getting up to Great Lakes, Illinois to see Terence graduate and spend time together as a family.

The journey was long...about 16 hours pulling the trailer, but we made it in one day and pulled into Fish Lake Beach Campground around 10:00 PM our time, 9:00 PM central time. We were met by a blanket of hungry and aggressive mosquitoes. We hooked up quickly and then spent the next 10 minutes battling the little buggers inside our camper. We each took a short cold shower and then went to bed.

The next morning we were up early and drove the 40 minutes to get to the Navel Base. We got in line to get cleared in order to go into the building for graduation. Things moved a long and we were seated by 8:20 AM. The graduation started at 9:00 AM





There were a few preliminary activities and then they opened up a large garage-looking door and there were the graduates. There were about 10 divisions graduating and each division had about 70-80 men and women. It was very impressive seeing them in their dress whites.






An hour and a half later, we were able to go and find our sailor!





Shortly after graduation, Terence was given liberty and we went back to the camper for lunch. Since Jessie Ann's 13th birthday was the next day, we wanted to celebrate it while Terence was with us.




After lunch, presents and cake, we headed out to an outside mall for coffee and a place where Terence could get connected to the internet!



Terence had to be back at the base by 7:00 PM so it was a quick dinner back at the camper and then off to drop him off.


We didn't think Terence would be able to leave the base on Saturday as he was told on Friday that they had duty on base that day. We were prepared to stay with him at the visitor's center and packed a lunch and brought some games. But it turned out that he could leave just had to be back by 5:00 PM. So we made the most of the time and enjoyed hanging out, looking at stores, going for donuts and coffee and just having fun together.




The next and last day that we had with Terence was our trip to Chicago on Sunday. We picked him up at 8:00 AM and had him until 7:00 PM. We drove into the city and had a ball together. Terry has always spoken very highly of the city and now I can too! It is an amazing place. I wish it were not so far away because we would all love to go back!




We started out at the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). Everyone went up except for Jessie Ann and me.



At the top there were places where you could step out and actually hang out over the building. Sarah Joy has no fear!




Just some really neat things to see.





Terence wanted Chicago pizza for lunch. We found a Giordano's and settled in for Chicago's deep dish pizza!



We headed next to the Navy Pier. People were swimming and hanging out. The Blue Angels were performing overhead. It was a gorgeous day and fun to be out with everyone.



Family photo:



On our way back to the truck we walked through a very quiet and peaceful part of Chicago. Apartment buildings lined this section.


It was hard saying good-bye to Terence knowing that we probably won't see him again until Christmas. We are very proud of him for his perseverance and endurance during boot camp. He now heads to Groton, CT for sub school.

We woke up the next day at 3:00 AM central time for the drive home. Just outside of Nashville Dylan noticed that our electric cord that connects the camper's brakes and lights to the truck had come undone and was damaged from dragging along the ground. We finished the trip with trepidation as we drove up and down the mountains of Chattanooga, TN through heavy rain knowing that only the truck's brakes were working and that no one behind us knew when we were turning or stopping.
We were very happy to see our home again that night! Sweet dreams for a dreamy weekend away!

The Grand Canyon May 2010

Day 1: We left on May 23, 2010... the day after Terence graduated from high school. We had had Terry's family with us and had a nice visit with everyone. We pulled out around 8:30 AM with a goal of 563 miles to Russellville, AR. We had reservations at Ivy's Cove RV Retreat for the night.




We headed up through Alabama, across the top portion of Mississippi and picked up I-40 just outside of Memphis, TN. We also crossed the Mississippi River. The scenery was beautiful with green fields and trees. It was hot though....94 degrees. After stopping to refuel, we realized we were getting 9.4 miles to the gallon. Maybe the trip would cost a little more than we had expected!




Day 2: We pulled out at 7 AM (6 AM central time) to a beautiful sunrise. Our goal for today is 689 miles to Santa Rosa, NM. We would be staying at the Santa Rosa Campground and RV Park.



As we left Arkansas and crossed over into Oklahoma, it became very windy. We saw casinos, oil pumps, wind mills and a lot of cattle. We drove through northern Texas and the terrain became a vast, flat openness as far as the eye can see.






Crossing over into New Mexico the terrain changed again. Instead of the flat vastness, there were mountains to break it up. It was truly beautiful. The earth tones have a beauty all of their own.




We stopped at the welcome center as we entered New Mexico. We got to park with the big boys!



The vegetation is beautiful and different.




Our campsite in Santa Rosa, NM. The humidity was at 6 %. I didn't know it could get that low!
Wet towels and bathing suits were a breeze to dry!




While the girls were swimming, I was making pancakes for our dinner and the boys were checking out the town.



The campground is located on the old Route 66. After dinner we took a walk down the road and looked at some old buildings. It was fun imagining how it must have been when Route 66 was the major road connecting the east to the west.






Day 3: Almost there! Pulled out at 7:30 AM (5:30 AM Mountain Time). Goal for the day: Grand Canyon! The sunrise was behind us, the cattle in the fields looked like shrub bushes. We were 4600 ft above sea level and the temperature was 40 degrees.

The terrain in NM is just beautiful. The mountains are rocky with many cliffs. We drove through Albuquerque and then it was just the land and us. The towns are spaced out so everything looks a little desolate until you go over a knoll in the road and there is another town in the distance.



Then we crossed into Arizona. There were many unusual sites were one can stop. There was a place that had petrified wood, lots of Indian stuff, and old Route 66 souvenirs. Many of these stores were out in no where. We also saw dust devils in the fields/desert. By now the temperature had warmed up to 72 degrees. There was a nice breeze too. Very pleasant.



This was taken at the welcome center.




We started getting sleepy and stopped at a coffee shop for a cup of joe.



We stopped for the last time in Flag Staff, AR. We filled up on gas and food for the next three days.


On our way north from Flag Staff we saw snow covered mountains. The altitude at this point was around 7300 ft.


We made it! This is our campsite at the Grand Canyon!



We took a walk to see the canyon before dinner. The wild life is not afraid of us.
This a mule deer.


When I first saw the Canyon, it just didn't look real. It looked like a picture. Then panic set in as I realized that you could walk out to the edge. It really dampened my first impression as I feared for everyone's life! So I spent my first hour as the sun was setting telling everyone not to get so close to the edge!






Sunset over the canyon.




Day 4: Up at 8:00 AM our time (5:00 AM pacific time). Our goal for the day was to hike three miles down the Bright Angel Trail and then, of course, back up again! The park has shuttle buses that take you around to help cut down on the amount of traffic. One of the bus stops is at the train depot. We were greeted by three elk that didn't pay any attention to us.



We started down the trail at 7:00 their time.














The trail was set up with rest stops, bathrooms and drinking water at 1 1/2 miles and then again at the 3 mile mark. Everyone had their own back pack and carried their own food and water. The trail was dusty (everything is dry) and by the time we got back up out of the canyon, we had dust in our nose and lungs. But the trail and sites were just gorgeous. And by hiking into the canyon, I developed a deep appreciation for the magnitude of what is out there.



This is a view from the top. It shows phantom ranch at the bottom. It would be nice to some day hike down there and spend the night and then hike back up the next day.



After resting a bit at the camper, we headed back over to the rim and walked along the rim trail. It is a trail at least 13 miles long that winds beside the rim. Very beautiful!




Everyone enjoys the view.








You've got to double click on this one to get the full effect of where these people are.

That night the boys went out to a park ranger's full moon tour. Terry, the girls and I went to bed!


Day 5: Goal is to hike 1 1/2 miles down the Kaibab Trail. This is a very nice trail as well. We hiked out onto a rock peninsula. We saw more mules on this trail. Many people hike down the Kaibab trail, spend the night and then hike up the Bright Angel Trail the next day.






Turn around point. Also our watering and snack stop.




Back up at the top. More walking on the rim trail. Just can't get enough of the feeling of being so high up with a wonderful view!









Later that day we attended a park ranger's talk on the California Condor. Very interesting.



Jessie Ann completed the requirements for her Junior Park Ranger badge and was sworn in.



Then we spotted a California Condor on a ledge. #87.



Kolb Studio.


Day 6: Out at 7:00 AM our time (4:00 AM Pacific Time) . Temperature is 41 degrees. There was a full moon out our right window and a herd of Elk in the middle of the road. One hour later there was a beautiful sunrise with mountains in the background and a small lake in front.



We made a quick stop in Albuquerque, NM to see the house that I lived in when I was younger.



Just outside of Albuquerque we hit a lightening storm. Sarah Joy was able to capture this picture.


We reached Santa Rosa, NM and were in bed while it was still light outside.


Day 7: Out by 7:00 AM (5:00 AM Mountain Time). Another beautiful sunrise. Passed back into Texas and then Oklahoma. We felt the humidity coming back. Mid Oklahoma is more like the eastern states with taller trees and green rolling hills.

Pulled into Russellville, AR at 6:30 PM. Had dinner, took a short walk and then bedtime.
While we were sleeping, our wet things were drying!



Day 8: Goal: Home. Drove through some bad weather but made it to the finish line. :)

6 tired people.

When we first left 8 days ago I had a goal in my mind of reaching the Grand Canyon. But it soon became evident that the trip was not just about reaching our destination but about the journey that would take us there and back. It was an amazing opportunity for us all!