Monday, August 3, 2015

Sabbatical in Review

Total miles: 8,948

Total days:  57

Pictures taken:  2, 684 (after editing)

Stops
  1. Santa Rosa Beach, FL (7 nights)
  2. Lafayette, LA (1 night)
  3. San Antonio, TX (6 nights)
  4. Amarillo, TX (1 night)
  5. Buena Vista, CO (6 nights)
  6. Moab, UT (1 night)
  7. Cannonville, UT (1 night)
  8. Springdale, UT (2 nights)
  9. Grand Canyon, AZ (2 nights)
  10. Las Vegas, NV (3 nights)
  11. Sequoia National Park, CA (2 nights)
  12. Yosemite National Park, CA (3 nights)
  13. Baker, NV (3 nights)
  14. Salt Lake City, UT (2 nights)
  15. Teton Village, WY (4 nights)
  16. Yellowstone National Park, WY (4 nights)
  17. Rapid City, SD (1 night)
  18. Badlands National Park, SD (2 nights)
  19. De Smet, SD (1 night)
  20. Decorah, IA (4 nights)
  21. Caravelle, TN (1 night)
National Parks
  1. Capulin Volcano National Monument
  2. Arches
  3. Capitol Reef
  4. Bryce Canyon
  5. Zion
  6. Grand Canyon
  7. Sequoia 
  8. Yosemite
  9. Great Basin
  10. Teton
  11. Yellowstone
  12. Mount Rushmore
  13. Badlands
States
  1. Georgia
  2. Florida
  3. Alabama
  4. Mississippi
  5. Louisiana
  6. Texas
  7. New Mexico
  8. Colorado
  9. Utah
  10. Arizona
  11. Nevada
  12. California
  13. Idaho
  14. Wyoming
  15. Montana
  16. South Dakota
  17. Iowa
  18. Illinois
  19. Indiana
  20. Kentucky
  21. Tennessee
  22. North Carolina
  23. South Carolina
Animals seen
  • llama
  • fox
  • deer
  • jack rabbits
  • bison
  • dragonflys
  • baby cliff swallows
  • kittens
  • wild turkeys
  • fish
  • chipmunks
  • black bears
  • grizzly bears
  • squirrels
  • snakes
  • ducks
  • geese
  • tadpoles
  • prairie dogs
  • cows
  • sheep
  • woodpecker
  • coyote
  • lizards
  • moose
  • elk
  • horses
  • mules
  • antelopes
  • yellow bellied marmot
  • big horn sheep
  • porcupine
  • bald eagles
  • long horn steer
Favorite National Park
  • Sarah Ellen:
    • Badlands
    • Yellowstone
    • Sequoia
  • Lily:
    • Capitol Reef
    • Teton
    • Arches
  • James
    • Yellowstone
    • Yosemite
    • Teton
  • Taryn
    • Yellowstone
    • Bryce Canyon
    • Teton
Favorite Lodging
  • Sarah Ellen:  Teton Village 
  • Lily:  Teton Village
  • James:  Yosemite cabin
  • Taryn:  Trail West
This was the trip of a lifetime, made especially sweet because we could do it with the girls at 7 and 9 years old.  Our hope was that they would have a trip to remember forever.  I think we accomplished that, and it was the result of Taryn's time, patience, persistence, and dedication to the task.  She literally spent a year (hundreds of hours) researching, picking our stops, planning our route, arranging lodging, getting the girls set up with junior ranger materials, packing us for all possible scenarios (yet squeezing everything into one expertly-packed minivan), and arranging fun events along the way.  It was like a puzzle.  Surprisingly, the girls were exceptionally good travelers, largely because Taryn kept them busy with workbooks, flash cards, books (both in print and on tape), games, coloring books, movies, their journals, and more.  Thanks to an amazing wife and mother who crafted this trip with love.  What a gift!  

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Home Sweet Home

I don't think any of us wanted to get back in the car this morning, but the pluff mud was calling us.  James put the pedal to the metal and we made it home in record time.  Some friends surprised us and were waiting on the front porch when we pulled in!!
 
I wish I could have gotten pictures of all the hugs.  We were all thrilled to see everyone.  This was an amazing homecoming!!

Donna and Ernie brought us dinner and lots more hugs!

We are blessed beyond words!

Home Sweet Home!

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Heading Home

18 HOURS.  That is what is between us and Charleston.  I'm pretty sure if it were up to James, he would push on through.  We decided to drive as far as we could today.  We sadly left the Berlands' a little before 9 AM.
We drove through several big cities including Peoria, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Lexington.  We pushed through and made it to Caryville, TN!

We rolled into a Hampton Inn at 10:45 (we lost an hour to the time change).  Today, we were in the car for thirteen solid hours.  We ate lunch and dinner in the car.  This is one family that is ready to get back to Charleston!!