The End is Drawing Near.....

Yesterday morning Mark and I did a little more exploring of Nashville and decided it was definitely another city that we would like to come back to when we had more time.

                                                This is the what used to be the Grand Ole Opry.

 

 

 

 Taylor Swift's apartment building and Jane standing outside of it.  She owns the entire top floor.

                                              The St. Louis Arch on the way to Columbia.

We drove seven hours to Columbia, MO to Tom and Kelly's house.  It was fun to see them, their new house, the chickens and especially the DOGS!  The kids love their dogs. 

Today we a had leisurely morning in Columbia and hit the road around noon to head north to Minnesota.

Once again, I have to applaud my traveling team.  They did a fantastic job.  There were many long drives and we could go for hours without hearing a peep from the rear of the van.  We tried to be as understanding as possible when the fighting and bickering would start, it was expected after that much "together" time.

Some observations from this journey:

1.  I love my family.
2. I am thankful that we have the means to do these trips every summer, I hope that it will create lasting memories.
3. People in the southern part of the United States are very friendly and welcoming, and that is appreciated by me!  I am a good customer service freak!
4. Our children are growing up at lightening speed.  That is exciting in some aspects and frightening in others.
5. Our girls are becoming strong and independent and I hope they always need their Mom.
6. Everyone's idea of a beach vacation destination is not the same.
7. Even after our long winter, I think I still appreciate the change of seasons.
8. You can have an idea in your mind of what a destination is going to be from other peoples opinions or things you see on TV, but until you see it for yourself, you never really know.  We were surprised both good and bad this trip.  New Orleans and Nashville were way more than expected.  Myrtle Beach was way less.
9. "Fresh, made to order donuts are something you need to eat to believe."-Jane
10. "I think the driving is the best part."-Thomas
11. "I loved riding my Nickel board in Florida"-Teddy
12. " The food was good."-Rose
13. Sometimes the smell of a clean public restroom is a welcome smell.
14. We consumed enough calories each day for 12 people.

We traveled to nine new states this trip, bringing our total now to 38.  We only have 10 left, unless we decide to add Alaska and Hawaii!
Next year we will return to the East, but we will be in far northern New England.  It has been decided by the whole family that we will not make as many stops.  We will just drive east, rent a house and stay. 

Thank you to Grandma for letting us use her van it treated us well and we will clean it before we bring it back!

A HUGE thank you to Mike and Davina once again for staying at our house with our dogs.  We know it is a big sacrifice, especially when you have a new house of your own to take care of.  We have said over and over, we could not do these trips without you.   THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

Ending mileage 5208


Until next year....so long.