We left the literally freezing temperatures in Utah on July 9 to start off on our extravaganza. First stop, West Fork, AR. We got up at 3 AM and were on the road by 4. We didn't' even have to stop until we hit Cheyenne at 10:30. It warmed up in Nebraska. In fact we actually felt heat! We got to Kearny, NE and swam and ate and were asleep by 9 PM. Olivia woke us up at 3:30 so we packed up and head on our way! We stopped at a couple of our Church historical sites in Missouri and stopped to see my friend's boy on his mission about 45 minutes from my Dad.
The Moncurs stop to see Elder Bracken in Rogers, AR. Jordan was one of the boys favorite baby-sitters and JaDee was his scout master and come to think of it, I taught him in Sunday School!
Arkansas was humid! Nothing dried out! My dad has a pool and our suits were still wet every morning. I must have finally acclimatized to the West, but man my hands and lips were so soft! Not a rough patch anywhere!
Yes those are Kangaroos! We went to this awesome Wildlife Safari Park. After a cool Safari like car tour through the park we got to go to 2 petting areas. One was full of Red Kangaroos and their babies in their pouches! Ethan was dubbed the "Kangaroo Whisperer." He spent about a half hour with one kanga and her baby. In fact he was so gentle with them that one family thought Ethan worked with them!
About 6 years ago we got to hold baby tigers and a baby lion at this same place. This time the tiger cubs were only 3 weeks old and too young got hold. After they got all their shots and got a little bigger they would be ready to hold!
We went up to Missouri to a State Park called Roaring Rivers. JaDee, Carter, Ethan and yes, Even I fished the river. Carter got one that got away, but all of us saw it jump off the hook at the shore line. We caught craw fish and had a great afternoon.
Although we did not sample the craw fish as a fine southern delicacy JaDee did shoot and cook up a couple of Squirrels. Yes, fuzzy tailed bird feed robbers met their doom when JaDee and his trusty dog Champ entered the Ozark forest. Olivia even chomped on a leg like it was chicken and loved it. Carter said it tasted like steak. There was even gravy! I alas, could not even sample that fare. And I sucked on this trip with the pictures!
But I did get video of Olivia's new skill. She can swim! Like the full fledged breast stroke! JaDee started taking her around on a noodle in the water and she started letting go and swimming up to it. Then he started showing her what to do with her arms and she started letting go of the noodle to show him how to do it! Then she started jumping off the ladder and swimming a good 10 feet to the middle of the pool. We have an Olympian in the making!
Matthew is a great friend to the boys every time we come to Arkansas. He shares his old toys, video games and all the other cool stuff!
Grandma is doing great! Despite 2 small strokes in the recent months she is still on top of her game! She serves in the Oklahoma City Temple one week out of every month with another sister in her ward. She made her famous meatloaf and homemade mac and cheese!
After 5 days and 6 nights in Arkansas we again started our drive at the wee hour of 4AM to head off to COLORADO!
LITTLE DETAILS
3400 miles all told on this trip
Olivia was the only one who got car sick...3 times
Champ was the best 80 lb lab ever! and only got 4 ticks in the woods
gas was about $3.95 the whole way until Vail then 4.25 there and 4.05 back in Utah
Ethanol gas dropped our mileage from 26 mpg to 21 mpg
It was 90 when we got back to Utah! and it will be 100 by Monday.
it was 55 for the high when we left.
The boys went through 2 sets of batteries for their game boys
We watched Little Mermaid about 100 times
We listened to 2 books on CD: Dealing with Dragons and The Last Lecture
I colored in this cool coloring book called Doodles that I got at Costo for Ethan
Carter got a pocket knife for his souvenir
Ethan got a stuffed snake
Olivia got a sparkly ring and a doll
The kids at a whole variety bag of candy from Costco...I think it was 5 pounds of candy!
Everybody is still alive!
Posts
4 comments:
Wait a second!!!!!!!!!!!! Jadee shot some squirrels and you ate them??? That does not sound right? Why??? Have you gone to the doctor's yet? I would suggest you go.
I can't believe all the animals. my kids would of loved that trip!
Let me clarify...I did not eat sqiurrel but all of my children and of course my crazy JiM Bridger husband feasted upon it!
Wow girl! I've thought of you often and hoped you were surviving. Looks like you conquered all that there was. Lots-o-fun!! Glad to have you home and some lights across the street!
Hey Nicole, glad you made it back home OK, you forgot to mention Ethan losing a tooth :) and we still have squirrel left overs in the fridge and lots more squirrels out there for me to send to JaDee if he wants LOL
Post a Comment