The second day we went to the Alamo and I MISSED ALL OF RIPLEY PLACES. After the Alamo we went to Six flags fiesta, the cool thing was that the place was surrounded by a canyon and some of the rides went over it. We went on a couple of water rides and I only went on one really fast and upside down ride called poltergeist, because after the ride my head hurt, we had missed the water park that day so we made a plan so we could go in it. The next day we had to Leave For New Mexico but we went six flags so we go to the water park. We spent 2 hours at the water park then we hat to the campsite, we arrived late at night so that took a long time. And now we are in NEW MEXICO.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Back to camping
We went to a Lake Hills, TX (the middle of nowhere Texas) and on our way to the camp we saw a bar call adolphs it was hilarious. The really interesting things about that campsite was that there was a pool, activity center WITH WiFi, mini golf course, a not working hot tub, and a playground so we had a lot to do while we where there, oh and I forgot to put the brave deer who can be a little more than foot away from a person on my list. The first day we where there we went to the activity center to play some ping pong and MOM won of course but after the second round there was a candy game going on and the people there wanted us to play so we did. Then we went to go play mini golf and mom won the first game but I won the second game, YAY.
Pretty mountains
Dallas Texas was after Oklahoma. In Dallas we slept two night in a hotel. In a hotel people! With REAL beds, and clean showers! Oh ya! Sadly it only lasted 2 nights. In Dallas we had gone to Six flags Over Texas. Then we had gone to see Queen! It was really cool. We had also saw downtown Dallas. We played checkers there, which I won every game :).
After Dallas was Lake Hill Texas. Our campsite was named Medina Lake. Medina lake was a pretty campsite. It had a pool and an activity center. (Activity center had WiFi.) The lake itself was dry. Apparently the lake was nothing more then land that dipped into the ground. Other then the lake with no water, every thing else seemed normal. We stayed at Medina lake for three nights. On the second day and on the last day we went to another six flags in Texas. We went on the last day only because on the second day we weren't prepared to find out that the water park there was free. Meaning we had not brought bathing suits. So we had done all the main park rides on the second day (Iron Rattle, the best ride we have been on, is AWESOME, and scary), then on the last day we had gone to the park again and had done 5 of the water park rides. We had also gone to see the Alamo Mission Fort. After we had gone to the water park in six flags we drove 8 hours to New Mexico. We got another time change, one more hour back. Since the Water park in six flags was only open at 12:00 pm. and we had spent 2 hours in the water park, we had gotten to New mexico at like 9:00 pm, since the time change. We had to put up the tent in the dark. We now know that putting a tent up in the dark is not one of the brightest ideas. At least the site of New Mexico at night is really pretty. With the dark sky above the dark mountains in the background is a really pretty site to see. After we had gotten the tent up we had gotten our stuff inside the tent and just crashed into the beds. Today we had gone to see the White Sands. The sand is so white in some areas it looks like fresh snow. After the white sands we have now made our selves comfortable with the new campsite. Which is hot, desert looking, abandon looking, and is really pretty with the large mountains all around us. I feel we are trapped. Other then the blazing heat, looming mountains, and abandon feeling being here, everything is fine.....
After Dallas was Lake Hill Texas. Our campsite was named Medina Lake. Medina lake was a pretty campsite. It had a pool and an activity center. (Activity center had WiFi.) The lake itself was dry. Apparently the lake was nothing more then land that dipped into the ground. Other then the lake with no water, every thing else seemed normal. We stayed at Medina lake for three nights. On the second day and on the last day we went to another six flags in Texas. We went on the last day only because on the second day we weren't prepared to find out that the water park there was free. Meaning we had not brought bathing suits. So we had done all the main park rides on the second day (Iron Rattle, the best ride we have been on, is AWESOME, and scary), then on the last day we had gone to the park again and had done 5 of the water park rides. We had also gone to see the Alamo Mission Fort. After we had gone to the water park in six flags we drove 8 hours to New Mexico. We got another time change, one more hour back. Since the Water park in six flags was only open at 12:00 pm. and we had spent 2 hours in the water park, we had gotten to New mexico at like 9:00 pm, since the time change. We had to put up the tent in the dark. We now know that putting a tent up in the dark is not one of the brightest ideas. At least the site of New Mexico at night is really pretty. With the dark sky above the dark mountains in the background is a really pretty site to see. After we had gotten the tent up we had gotten our stuff inside the tent and just crashed into the beds. Today we had gone to see the White Sands. The sand is so white in some areas it looks like fresh snow. After the white sands we have now made our selves comfortable with the new campsite. Which is hot, desert looking, abandon looking, and is really pretty with the large mountains all around us. I feel we are trapped. Other then the blazing heat, looming mountains, and abandon feeling being here, everything is fine.....
Oh my God - 4 Weeks?!?!?!
Yeah seriously, we have been gone four whole weeks. Crazy crazy how time flies. I can't believe my last post was OK. So much has happened since then! We were in Dallas for 2 nights, Lakehills, TX after that and now we are in New Mexico. In that time, we have met up with hash friends, seen Queen (with Adam Lambert), mini golfed, swam (swum?), been to 2 Six Flags parks and one Six Flags water park, seen the Alamo and Riverwalk, been to White Sands National Monument, had the car worked on (thank Goddesses for warranties and good service), been through two time zones and spent countless hours philosophizing, gabbing, singing, playing and generally being a family.
I wish I recorded a lot of my thoughts from the road as well. It strikes me how much of my deep thought should be immortalized. :) For instance, it may come as a shock to some, as it did to me, that sexism is alive and well. Since I don't spend time with teenage boys I had no idea how rampant a thing it is. Shocking really. I can not believe my teenage girl is subject to things I thought went out long ago. On at least two occasions now, we have been captive audiences to YOUNG boys (13 to maybe 15) that were discussing how "fat" a young girl was or how "doable" she might be. REALLY? Still? But it also is still happening among grown adult women. I can not tell you HOW MANY times now I have been asked by other grown women, "Is it just the three of you? How do you do that?" Once I HAD to ask, "Do you mean because we don't have a man with us?" to which the woman replied, "Well yeah." My answer? We JUST DO! I suppose I live in more of a bubble than I was aware.
In addition, it has struck me how interesting my children's relationship with money is. I know that I spoil my kids. I am not that dillusional. How many kids go camping with a lap top, tablet and cell phone? How many people under 20 have been on 2 cruises, umpteen states, snow board vacations, etc. I know we are raising uber protected uber privileged girls. That isn't shocking, so much as a tad bit embarrassing sign of my inability to completely disassociate with material status. What has been shocking is to see how my girls do not understand the value of a dollar. How economic decisions are made...i.e. if I buy that, I can't or will have to delay that. It has been a learning lesson for them as well. I hope one that sticks!!!!
I have already expounded on the lessons from the road regarding hard work, survival skills and the such. They are getting exposure to so much more than just the road and the states. As am I. I think each of us is glad as well. Today while we were picknicing at the White Sands National Monument (picture of the quintessential New Mexico alien campground attached), we discussed if we thought we would ever do this again. Katrin is sure she will take her kids some day. Ella is sure she will do it differently. :) I am sure I will do a different version. Each of us seems to be having our own as well as our shared experience. It seems to me they are changing right before my eyes. Especially Katrin. It may be her age or that she is actually changing. Whichever, getting to know my girls on new levels is nothing short of miraculous.
As for myself, I am very much a "doer" and from the road I am learning alot about the art of being. Being is so much more important. If doing a 10 hour drive at 7am causes me to be a bitch and doing a 6 hour drive at 10am causes me to be full of joy, I would like very carefully to chose my state of being. I am not suggesting that I am going to change overnight my need to do. But my attention has been drawn very heavily to my state of being. It is a choice and it is fluid. More so than I am always aware.
So those are some thought tidbits. The road tends to give you plenty of time to think and very little time to communicate with anyone other than who you are sitting next to and often times, those two enjoy sleeping and reading to pass the time. :)
Practically speaking the vast difference from Missouri to Texas to New Mexico has been a bit startling. Just when I thought I was going to be seeing nothing but farmland for 3 months, I was reminded again of the beauty and the starkness of the West. I am loving it if a little uncomfortable in the heat and once again among the flies in New Mexico. Texas was very comfortable. We were really lucky. After this we are off to Colorado and then friends and families homes for the most part of the next month so it should be smoother sailing.
I wish I recorded a lot of my thoughts from the road as well. It strikes me how much of my deep thought should be immortalized. :) For instance, it may come as a shock to some, as it did to me, that sexism is alive and well. Since I don't spend time with teenage boys I had no idea how rampant a thing it is. Shocking really. I can not believe my teenage girl is subject to things I thought went out long ago. On at least two occasions now, we have been captive audiences to YOUNG boys (13 to maybe 15) that were discussing how "fat" a young girl was or how "doable" she might be. REALLY? Still? But it also is still happening among grown adult women. I can not tell you HOW MANY times now I have been asked by other grown women, "Is it just the three of you? How do you do that?" Once I HAD to ask, "Do you mean because we don't have a man with us?" to which the woman replied, "Well yeah." My answer? We JUST DO! I suppose I live in more of a bubble than I was aware.
In addition, it has struck me how interesting my children's relationship with money is. I know that I spoil my kids. I am not that dillusional. How many kids go camping with a lap top, tablet and cell phone? How many people under 20 have been on 2 cruises, umpteen states, snow board vacations, etc. I know we are raising uber protected uber privileged girls. That isn't shocking, so much as a tad bit embarrassing sign of my inability to completely disassociate with material status. What has been shocking is to see how my girls do not understand the value of a dollar. How economic decisions are made...i.e. if I buy that, I can't or will have to delay that. It has been a learning lesson for them as well. I hope one that sticks!!!!
I have already expounded on the lessons from the road regarding hard work, survival skills and the such. They are getting exposure to so much more than just the road and the states. As am I. I think each of us is glad as well. Today while we were picknicing at the White Sands National Monument (picture of the quintessential New Mexico alien campground attached), we discussed if we thought we would ever do this again. Katrin is sure she will take her kids some day. Ella is sure she will do it differently. :) I am sure I will do a different version. Each of us seems to be having our own as well as our shared experience. It seems to me they are changing right before my eyes. Especially Katrin. It may be her age or that she is actually changing. Whichever, getting to know my girls on new levels is nothing short of miraculous.
As for myself, I am very much a "doer" and from the road I am learning alot about the art of being. Being is so much more important. If doing a 10 hour drive at 7am causes me to be a bitch and doing a 6 hour drive at 10am causes me to be full of joy, I would like very carefully to chose my state of being. I am not suggesting that I am going to change overnight my need to do. But my attention has been drawn very heavily to my state of being. It is a choice and it is fluid. More so than I am always aware.
So those are some thought tidbits. The road tends to give you plenty of time to think and very little time to communicate with anyone other than who you are sitting next to and often times, those two enjoy sleeping and reading to pass the time. :)
Practically speaking the vast difference from Missouri to Texas to New Mexico has been a bit startling. Just when I thought I was going to be seeing nothing but farmland for 3 months, I was reminded again of the beauty and the starkness of the West. I am loving it if a little uncomfortable in the heat and once again among the flies in New Mexico. Texas was very comfortable. We were really lucky. After this we are off to Colorado and then friends and families homes for the most part of the next month so it should be smoother sailing.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
July
Yay Aimee, Edie, Cedric, Grumpy, the fourth of July, and the best was PETER.
The coolest thing was that we got to launch our own fireworks and that was awesome, but we got to watch other fireworks that we didn't launch. We also went to Hannibal to camp a night and to walk around the city and go on riverboat. The morning for me was really annoying at the campsite, because they were running a 15k around our campsite and it sounded like they were running through our campsite. The last thing we did in the week was go to Aimee and Cedric's farm that is where we launched our own fireworks. Now we are in Oklahoma , it is very hot here and there is a lot of bugs.
Tomorrow we are going to Dallas. This is a picture I forgot to put in.
Hot hot and even more heat
It has been a long week. In Tennessee we had gone too see the Parthenon. Then in Missouri we had stopped at Amy, Cedric, and Peter's house to stay the night. Then we went from there house to Hannibal Missouri were we met up with Eddie and David. By then it was the fourth of July, so we saw fireworks in Hannibal. We had caped at Mark Twain's cave. We had a problem with the people at that camp site. We had only stayed at Hannibal for one night. So we went to another place in Missouri from hannibal. In this other place we stayed with Amy again only In a different house. A house they like to call The Farm. It's really pretty there. At the farm we got to see another set of fireworks. I liked these the best. It's a lot for fun when you see the person setting them off. So then we traveled from the farm to Oklahoma. Oklahoma is the hottest we have been to. We ate all very great full for the river that's right next to the campus. To me Oklahoma and Tennessee have the prettiest place award. Befor this trip if someone asked me if I would want to life in Oklahoma, I would have been like, "Are you mad, it's really hot and discussing there." Now I would say "Depends were the house is. If it's near a river then yes I would be fine living there. But if not the no I don't think I would want to live there." There are a lot of places that I would say the same, kinda like Florida. I think you have to be some were to understand things like really hot or really cold. Cause I now know that when someone says really humid they mean jungle humid. I guess this brings me back to what we have done or are still doing, kinda like I'm still writing this. So let's see, we are still in Oklahoma and we have swam in a cool river. One that looks empty at the moment. I can not tell you enough of how glad I am that this river is near by. Oh and I almost for got something, we are finally getting to camp sites that have a good amount of people. The first camp sites barely any people. Then we get a few crowded camp sites. Now we finally have enough people around so it doesn't look abandoned or crowded. And so, I am once again going try to end this blog. And it ends Good bye.
Don't want to be lord of the flies!
So we are now in Oklahoma. Side note: First musical I ever saw! :) I am currently sitting at our camp site under some shade trees praying the wind will keep softly blowing. Ella is laying down in bed with the fan pointed right at her and Katrin is in the car with the air conditioning running playing solitaire. OK is just not that interesting or inviting. We are camped, again, on a body of water and have spent a great deal of time in the water but the heat is still a bit oppressive. It makes the act of eating lunch, what we have just done, seem like a marathon and requires a good rest / recovery.
It is much drier here then the previous places and is honestly making me dread the next couple of camp spots in TX and NM. After that, although we will still be dry, we won't be at 105+ temps. Also we have a long break in people's homes. We will get to see Doris, Aunt Sandy, Ryan, Amanda, Aaralyn and Daylin. Hopefully I will also get a chance to see Shelley and Shannon. It will be a good three weeks with maybe one camp spot in between. It should be good. I only hope I will be able to re-motivate the girls to camping after we leave that.
We just came from Missouri where we got to see Aimee, Cedric, Peter, Edie and David. It has been been over 5 years since we have seen them and it was a much needed catch up. Peter is a beautiful, gifted child. Although why I might expect anything less from Aimee and Cedric, I wouldn't know. We had a great time seeing the "Americana" of the middle of the country. It is interesting to me. It isn't who I am or will ever be but it is interesting to see. On the west coast, growing up, 4th of July was a day or maybe a vacation week with fireworks on the day, regardless of what day of the week it was. There was hot dogs, ice cream and good old fashioned Summer fun. On the east coast, 4th of July is a month or two of fireworks on Friday and/or Saturday in various towns. There are shows and parades and talks about freedom and independence. It is an event. In Missouri, it appeared to be a combination of those two philosophies and everyone and their brother was in Hannibal, MO for "Tom Sawyer Days" and the 4th celebration. Fireworks are a BIG DEAL there and huge warehouses boasting the best and the brightest abound. Cedric put on a show for us at his cabin that was equal to, or even better than the grand deal we saw over the Mississippi River.
We are coming up on the end of week 4 of traveling. Overall spirits are good. As I said the heat here has taken a bit of a toll. The car gets messier day by day (we already have had one good cleaning) and the roads started to look the same (although Missouri was fun to drive in with all the winding hills and farm roads). I personally could use a mommy break and I am sure the girls too could use a mommy break :D but it is funny how being with each other day in and day out has given us new perspectives. I know we all share it because we have discussed it a bit. I swear to God Katrin has changed her personality right before my eyes and Ella has just become a stronger version of Ella to me. It is hard to explain in writing but, it is a neat thing to have happen. I guess I took for granted that I was bonded with my children. This is a different bond.
Life Lesson: Just when you think you know....
Oh and some womanly?and some everyone type tips from the road:
Cotton sports bras that snap in the back. Trust me.
Jeans shorts that fall mid thigh can be your best friends.
You can not have enough zip lock bags EVER.
READ directions....even if it is automated.
Throw away shoes are a good bring along.
Duct tape really can fix or temporarily mend anything.
It is much drier here then the previous places and is honestly making me dread the next couple of camp spots in TX and NM. After that, although we will still be dry, we won't be at 105+ temps. Also we have a long break in people's homes. We will get to see Doris, Aunt Sandy, Ryan, Amanda, Aaralyn and Daylin. Hopefully I will also get a chance to see Shelley and Shannon. It will be a good three weeks with maybe one camp spot in between. It should be good. I only hope I will be able to re-motivate the girls to camping after we leave that.
We just came from Missouri where we got to see Aimee, Cedric, Peter, Edie and David. It has been been over 5 years since we have seen them and it was a much needed catch up. Peter is a beautiful, gifted child. Although why I might expect anything less from Aimee and Cedric, I wouldn't know. We had a great time seeing the "Americana" of the middle of the country. It is interesting to me. It isn't who I am or will ever be but it is interesting to see. On the west coast, growing up, 4th of July was a day or maybe a vacation week with fireworks on the day, regardless of what day of the week it was. There was hot dogs, ice cream and good old fashioned Summer fun. On the east coast, 4th of July is a month or two of fireworks on Friday and/or Saturday in various towns. There are shows and parades and talks about freedom and independence. It is an event. In Missouri, it appeared to be a combination of those two philosophies and everyone and their brother was in Hannibal, MO for "Tom Sawyer Days" and the 4th celebration. Fireworks are a BIG DEAL there and huge warehouses boasting the best and the brightest abound. Cedric put on a show for us at his cabin that was equal to, or even better than the grand deal we saw over the Mississippi River.
We are coming up on the end of week 4 of traveling. Overall spirits are good. As I said the heat here has taken a bit of a toll. The car gets messier day by day (we already have had one good cleaning) and the roads started to look the same (although Missouri was fun to drive in with all the winding hills and farm roads). I personally could use a mommy break and I am sure the girls too could use a mommy break :D but it is funny how being with each other day in and day out has given us new perspectives. I know we all share it because we have discussed it a bit. I swear to God Katrin has changed her personality right before my eyes and Ella has just become a stronger version of Ella to me. It is hard to explain in writing but, it is a neat thing to have happen. I guess I took for granted that I was bonded with my children. This is a different bond.
Life Lesson: Just when you think you know....
Oh and some womanly?and some everyone type tips from the road:
Cotton sports bras that snap in the back. Trust me.
Jeans shorts that fall mid thigh can be your best friends.
You can not have enough zip lock bags EVER.
READ directions....even if it is automated.
Throw away shoes are a good bring along.
Duct tape really can fix or temporarily mend anything.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
12, 13, 14, 15, and 16th day
Four days ago we went to Florida. It was like a jungle there, hot and sticky. We went to the beach after we were done at unpacking. It was nice at the beach not too crowded and the waves were pretty big. Three days ago mom and ella woke up early to collect sea shells after that we went for a 5 mile bike ride the last thing we did was to go to the beach and swim. Two days ago we went to a fort in St Augustine, it was really pretty there and I liked it. They did not let the bird in the fort so one of us had to stay outside of the fort with the bird. The cool thing was I enjoyed the history. A day ago we went to a HOTEL in Atlanta but the sad part was that we couldn't bring the bird in, so we had to board the bird. Today ella and I went swimming in a POOL in the morning then we packed up and got the bird and now we are in Tennessee.
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16
OK so we're do I begin? Well on the 11th day we had a day of running around. We were looking for stuff, like a broom. We didn't really find anything. We got the car washed and a oil change at least. When we got back mom allowed me drive her car a bit around the camp. Driving, I found out, is a bit scary. When we were done we ate and went to bed.
Next day we took a drive to Florida. We got to a camp that was near a beach. The camp site itself turned out to look like a jungle. I never thought of Florida as a jungle. When we got there we set up camp then visited the beach for a bit. After the beach we ate then slept.
The 13th day we woke up early to go look for seashells. We found halfe sandbollers. When we were done we decided to go bike riding. And then after that we went back to the beach for a bit. We all fell a sleep after that day.
The 14th day was a history day! Yay! We went to Saint Augustin. In Saint Augustin we went to a fort called Castillo De San Marcos. We were allowed to go in side and about some of the things that happened in there. When we were going in we had a little trouble with the bird. See, we had brought the bird with us because he was getting lonely and we felt bad. When my mom had asked a park ranger about a bathroom the guy said she was not allowed to bring the bird into the fort. It was quite random. My mom didn't even say bird in her question of were the bathroom was. Later we came up with a plane for the bird and found the bathroom. The bird was allowed out side the fort so one of us waited for the other 2 to go through the fort. When I went in I learned that a guy was taken as a prisoner, then later on that same guy but a city. It was so weird that a former prisoner but a city. I learned some other stuff too. After the fort we saw a ship that looked like a pirate ship. When we were done with Saint Augustin we went back to camp. I wanted to go for a walk around the campsite. We walked around and we found a whole bunch of sand crads. They were pretty cool. After the walk we were done for the day.
The next day was a packing day and a new destination. We were headed to Atlanta, Georgia. At Atlanta we headed for a hotel. When we got to the hotel we found that there were no birds allowed. We had to drop our bird off at a place where they watch animals. We dropped some of our stuff at the hotel. Then made our way to six flags. We spent a while at six flags. When we got back to the hotel we went to sleep.
Then on the last day I have to write about we went to coca-cola world. We spent a while there. When we were leaving we each got of coke. :D After that we got back on the road. Well first we got our stuff from the hotel, checked out, got the bird, and then we got on the road. We are now on the road to Tennessee. Well technically we are in Tennessee and we're just going to our campsite.
It is July 1 already!!!
I can not believe it is July 1! Time is just flying by. We are traveling for about 4 hours today to Nashville, so I will have the girls post today in the car. They really are having a great time. We all are.
Sadly we said goodbye to my favorite campspot (I wonder how many times I will say that?). We made the six hour drive from Little Talbot to Atlanta and really didn't focus on much academics at all. We listened to some more of Huckfinn and then I remembered that some other families and friends have been enjoying Night Vale. If you are not familiar with it and you are a fan of the creepy, the weird, the supernatural or dark funny, you should give it a listen. For those that are a fan, imagine us driving through Georgia, learning all about the little town of Night Vale!
Needless to say we got distracted. However, I am a huge fan of driving in Georgia. My lead foot appreciates the open stretches of lightly hilly roads. My love of aesthetics appreciates it with the ever changing scenery and surprisingly rolling countryside. I will say that my pre-conceived judgment of the South was justified yesterday when 1) At 930am, in a tiny hamlet tumbleweed town (there are no tumbleweeds in GA that I see) I witnessed a young lady in 4 in heels, pedal pushers and tube top walking down the sidewalk. When I say young I am going to say about 15. While many of you may think, "well she was at work", I will tell you it looked to me only as if she was making a fashion statement. Then 2) I pulled into a gas station advertising $3.37 gas (prices have jumped up in Florida and here) and I was greeted at the roll-dial, flip up gas pump by a semi toothless (she had 3 teeth) pump attendant who asked, "where y'all headed?." Finally 3) having forced the kids to be out before the major heat at 8am, I neglected to stick to our healthy eating on a budget and decided to stop on the road. Picking a diner off the back woods road, we perused the menu, and were confronted with a menu that was strictly contained of chicken friend and gravy covered. Well Ella had waffles (no chicken) but Katrin and I joined the Romans. :) And it was AMAZING!!! Of course 2 hours later my vegetable and lean meat filled tummy was not thanking me. Nor was Katrins! In any case, I can tell you that my pre-conceived notions did not take a beating yesterday and I was glad.
Last night was our first hotel night yet. A little treat to beat the heat, make a quick stop in Atlanta, as I have been here twice before, and take a stroll at the Six Flags Over Georgia. That makes our fourth Six Flags park ever and our third this year. It was very very cute. It is smaller than the rest and a bit run down but the creativity in its design and structures is very charming. We waited in 30 minute lines, got beat up on the old coasters the girls love (they still won't go upside down at all) and went back to sleep in real beds that we did not have to do any work to get into. As always the bird was our biggest challenge. For some reason, the pet policy at the hotel had me concerned with the way it was worded, so I told them about the bird. Sure enough, Captain was not welcome. It took some finagling but birdy got to stay in an $8 birdy hotel. :) I hope he slept as well as we did!
Off to Nashville tonight after a trip to the World Coke plant. Yes, I know it is weird that with our focus on eating healthy and drinking mainly water and flavored water, that I would want to see the Coke plant, but I do. I always have. No better time than the present!
Sadly we said goodbye to my favorite campspot (I wonder how many times I will say that?). We made the six hour drive from Little Talbot to Atlanta and really didn't focus on much academics at all. We listened to some more of Huckfinn and then I remembered that some other families and friends have been enjoying Night Vale. If you are not familiar with it and you are a fan of the creepy, the weird, the supernatural or dark funny, you should give it a listen. For those that are a fan, imagine us driving through Georgia, learning all about the little town of Night Vale!
Needless to say we got distracted. However, I am a huge fan of driving in Georgia. My lead foot appreciates the open stretches of lightly hilly roads. My love of aesthetics appreciates it with the ever changing scenery and surprisingly rolling countryside. I will say that my pre-conceived judgment of the South was justified yesterday when 1) At 930am, in a tiny hamlet tumbleweed town (there are no tumbleweeds in GA that I see) I witnessed a young lady in 4 in heels, pedal pushers and tube top walking down the sidewalk. When I say young I am going to say about 15. While many of you may think, "well she was at work", I will tell you it looked to me only as if she was making a fashion statement. Then 2) I pulled into a gas station advertising $3.37 gas (prices have jumped up in Florida and here) and I was greeted at the roll-dial, flip up gas pump by a semi toothless (she had 3 teeth) pump attendant who asked, "where y'all headed?." Finally 3) having forced the kids to be out before the major heat at 8am, I neglected to stick to our healthy eating on a budget and decided to stop on the road. Picking a diner off the back woods road, we perused the menu, and were confronted with a menu that was strictly contained of chicken friend and gravy covered. Well Ella had waffles (no chicken) but Katrin and I joined the Romans. :) And it was AMAZING!!! Of course 2 hours later my vegetable and lean meat filled tummy was not thanking me. Nor was Katrins! In any case, I can tell you that my pre-conceived notions did not take a beating yesterday and I was glad.
Last night was our first hotel night yet. A little treat to beat the heat, make a quick stop in Atlanta, as I have been here twice before, and take a stroll at the Six Flags Over Georgia. That makes our fourth Six Flags park ever and our third this year. It was very very cute. It is smaller than the rest and a bit run down but the creativity in its design and structures is very charming. We waited in 30 minute lines, got beat up on the old coasters the girls love (they still won't go upside down at all) and went back to sleep in real beds that we did not have to do any work to get into. As always the bird was our biggest challenge. For some reason, the pet policy at the hotel had me concerned with the way it was worded, so I told them about the bird. Sure enough, Captain was not welcome. It took some finagling but birdy got to stay in an $8 birdy hotel. :) I hope he slept as well as we did!
Off to Nashville tonight after a trip to the World Coke plant. Yes, I know it is weird that with our focus on eating healthy and drinking mainly water and flavored water, that I would want to see the Coke plant, but I do. I always have. No better time than the present!
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