Cont. of whole week catch up

Started a new one didn't want to be too wordy that you would fall asleep reading one entry:)

Lots of driving on Route 40 with an ocasional detour on to Route 66 on our way to Albuquerque. Didn't quite make it and settled for an uneventful night in Gallup, NM at the Comfort Inn.

Wed., the 15th: Made it to Albuquerque and settled into the Country Inn and Suites for a two night stay that would end in a trip to the airport to pick up daddy! I have decided I'm not a huge fan of NM, even with a trip to the state fair. They had the yummiest tri tip steak sandwiches and a few exhibits that were interesting but that was about it. Also, there is no grass. I never realized how much I really liked grass. I called it the West Virginia of the southwest but I think Em was more accurate calling it the New Jersey of the southwest. Anyway, it will probably be our last trip there.

Thursday, the 16th: Pajama day, man I love these. Ally perked up so much after a whole day in the hotel. We stayed in our pjs, swam the afternoon away and then everyone but Ally went to dinner at the Souper Salad, shopped at Borders, and went car wash hunting. As Rich was coming the next day and is more paticular about the car than I am however, I was having trouble seeing through all the bug guts on the windshield!

Friday, the 17th: Airport pick up at noon and then to Rich's first "Guy" stop, The Standard Diner. So yummy, his best pick yet that we've been to. I had Country Fried Tuna with Wasabi Guacamole. According to the little ones they also had the best buttered noodles ever. Seriously, not sure how you judge that and don't tell Armando he will be crushed as La Cucina held that title for the longest time! We stopped for the night in Pueblo, Colorado. We tried the Cambria Inn which was nice but unbeknownest to us doesn't except pets of any kind. We are in the west we thought every hotel took pets, they love their dogs here. Anyway, Jojo got loose, we were on the first floor and she was busy making friends in the lobby bar while we had to chase her down. Not fun we were busted and fined $250.00. We spent more that night than we would've at the Ritz! Lesson learned, no worries!

Saturday, the 18th: A quick breeze through Colorado Springs, I wish we had more time and we are coming back for a family vacation for sure. Who knew CO had so much to offer??? We met Em's friend Emily at Chick Filet for lunch then headed to Compassion, which was closed on Saturday, and Focus on the Family, which closed 15 minutes after we got there. Ugh, I was not very happy. We also made a post office run, a ritual that we get to do quite often on vacation for Rk Grounds business. If the kids ever want to go into the building of post offices they will have a wide variety of which to draw from on our many excursions with daddy.

Finally made it to Denver checked into the Embassy Suites, a Hilton, and went to meet Rich's cousin Denise and her husband Kevin for dinner.

Sunday, the 19th: Em took a shuttle to Grace Chapel and we met an old friend, Jenny Banz, for breakfast. Went to pick up Denise and went to 13th street mall for an afternoon of Pinkberry, people watching, Barnes and Noble and strolling. Dinner at a place that claimed to have the best ribs in Colorado. They were good but to make that claim I might have to try a few more:) It was so good to hang out and get to know Rich's cousin we had a lot of fun together hanging with family.

Monday, the 20th: Preparing to leave the hotel and make the long trek through Kansas. We have heard it's awful and boring. But it's the sunflower state, how bad can that be????

A whole week of catch up

We left Vegas and headed to Flagstaff, Arizona. One the way we stopped at Road Kill, (diners, drive-ins, and dives), a first for us and Guy was right my meal was yummy and the drinks were gigantic. Of course, Josh did not care for our choice and preceded to have one of the biggest stand offs in our families history. I wasn't sure we were ever going to get to Flagstaff that night. Needless to say after talking to my sister and keeping an unusual amount of patience we all did get in the car and we did arrive in Flagstaff. Another redesigned Motel 6, not as good as the one in Montana but still better than some I've seen.

Sunday the 12th in Flagstaff, we went to Mountainview Baptist Church. They had an outdoor prayer service that morning. I was a little apprehensive when we pulled up but what an encouragement to pray with believers you've never met for their concerns and the concerns of our country. After that we headed back to hotel to pick up our four footed friend, grab a quick lunch at Olive Garden and drove up 180 toward the Canyon. It was the most beautiful drive. I could easily see living off that road close enough to Flagstaff yet far enough in the middle of no where. The kids weren't quite taken a back as I was the first time I saw the Grand Canyon. I have to say I think the west entrance might be more breathtaking, not as many people and a more direct, less commercial viewpoint. They did find it pretty, and at times I think they may have been secretly plotting to throw each other or even me off the cliff. They also thought it was big fun to get as close out over the edge as they could, full knowing my irrational fear of them falling.

Monday the 13th we went to Slide Rock, which has been the biggest hit of the trip so far. It's a state park with a God made water slide. They spent all day til the closing of the park at 5 not wanting to leave and wanting to return the next day:) Although, in the morning they had sore muscles, ripped bathing suits and scratched up bottoms. It was the type of day you remember forever, the weather, the scenery, and all three kids with full smiles.

The 14th we left Flagstaff with a quick stop to another diners, drive-ins and dives. Guy was a little off on Brandy's, the coffee was awful the pastry was hard, I'm sure I ordered the wrong thing that time but I was envying Josh and Ally's Little Ceasars at that moment. Anyway, back on topic, back to Route 66 with stops at Winslow, Arizona and Hollbrook to look at the teeppee hotel and to get some Seattle's best coffee, which was way better than Brandy's! Then the kids appeased me with yet another stop at a National Park. I just love them and can't get enough of them! Petrified Forest National Park was interesting considering it's not one of the biggies and I had never heard of it before. But, ask my kids, if there is a brown sign I'm wanting to stop:) Anyway, Ally and Josh opted for a movie in the van(their lose), and Em joined me at the visitor's center. She even watched the movie with me and scored big points. Was it because she is wanting to go to CFAW on the way home or because she wanted to be with me??? I'm choosing the latter:) We also got to see the painted desert and an old inn that is now a historic landmark. Man the rooms were tiny our family of five would've had to rent out the whole hotel and without Hilton points that would be tragic! Over and over Em and I could be found singing...there is no Arizona, no Painted Desert, no Sedona, if there was a Grand Canyon you could fill it up with the lies he's told her... I'm quite sure there was a more God honoring song to sing after seeing so much of his unique creation but that one was stuck.

Day 22, Yet another day in Vegas

Rich's flight was cancelled:) However, he goes out the next day from Vegas:( So we spent another day in Vegas, got two rooms at the Hilton, and headed to New York, New York.

Morning we say goodbye...still hard even though we got an extra day. We went to the Pawn Stars store from the History Channel, a family favorite.

Vegas

All of my senses are on overload. How anyone can spend a great deal of time here is unclear to me! With all the beeping and flashing of the casinos and the smoke and the never ending quest to feed a family of five for under $60.oo. Oh, and to shelter your nine year old from all that is around him all the while he ask why anyone would be interested in such things. I pray he keeps this mindset forever!

Distracted

As I was blogging before my sweet husband came to surprise us to celebrate Day 20! Em and I had a wonderful breakfast just the two of us while the little ones slept in. It's so hard to sneak one on one time when your on the road, so I'm thankful for stolen moments here and there.

While Rich spent time with Josh, the girls and I hopped the shuttle and went to visit Paris, Bellagio, and the Venetian. After a few hours of walking what seemed like for hours we were exhausted. So, we went back to the room grabbed our tennis shoes and headed to Freemont Street(which was totally Em's favorite) and Circus Circus(which was totally Josh and Ally's favorite).

Morning of Day 20

Whoa! I can't believe it's been 20 days. Sometimes it seems that long and sometimes I am still shocked we have been gone so long! I'm excited to see what the next 20 days hold but not quite ready for the journey to be over!

Today the little ones wanted to sleep in so Em and I went to breakfast togethe

Need to stop there was a surprise knock at the door....

Rich just surprised us!!!!

Cont. of day 19...

Best sights on the way here but for different reasons...
1) There is a small part of 15 that you are in AZ and you drive through these gigantic rocks where the road is carved right down the narrow middle. It's like nothing I have ever driven through!

2) All over Utah you see these developments with the LDS church right in the middle of them. Wouldn't it be great if we could take that concept and place Bible believing churches in the center of each development? Anyway, I'm getting off topic, we passed a camper community right after we crossed into Arizona with a LDS church right smack in the middle of it. It was unusual because there were all these campers and trailer type homes with the same layout church we saw in the neighborhoods in Salt Lake.

3) The kids reaction as we came over the hill and saw all of the lights of Las Vegas. Priceless and just what Rich and I always imagined their reaction would be:)

4) Josh had a celebrity sighting and had the courage to go up and actually talk to him! Who you ask??? Wait for it...Arwin Q Hawkhouser (aka Brian Stepanek) from the Suite Life of Zach and Cody. For those of you without the 8-12 crowd it's a show from the Disney Channel. And according to Em he has also done an Advil commercial or two:) He was very kind to Josh and chatted with him for a few minutes about where he was from, etc. If you see Josh ask him about it as it is one of his proud moments:)

Update on Hilton: We did get a room upgrade for our $33 rate:) Woohooo, I love my Hilton!!!

Day 19

We are headed to Vegas today. We should be checked into my Hilton by nightfall:) With a $33 rate I'm hoping for a huge upgrade and score the biggest deal of the trip!!! I'll keep you posted.

It's also our last full day before the trip is half way over:( There are things I miss from home and of course people I miss, particularly one blue eyed boy, but I would not trade this opportunity with my kids for anything. I am so thankful for all of this!!! I am truly blessed!

Day 18

Such a good day!!!

We started at the Discovery Gateway Museum, a children's museum in yet another mall. Which sadly I think our family's days at these type of museums is over. We played for a little bit wishing Cade was with us, because it would've been fun playing there with her and we are missing porcupine!

Next stop, Antelope Island. The kids and I had so much fun here, they call it the dead sea of the US. It's a part of Salt Lake where water flows in from four rivers and there is no outlet causing the high salinity. The kids and I had the best time floating in the water. There is quite a trek to make to get to the entrance of the water but we all survived.

Then, Thanksgiving Point to meet Serenity Post and her family. I haven't seen her since our wedding, almost twenty years ago where she caught my wedding flowers. They took us to the gardens there, which mom you would've loved, it was gorgeous and the prettiest evening for a stoll. It was wonderful to get to be able to spend some time with Rich's cousin. Her daughter, Weatherly, took to Em straight away. Although she renamed her Mandy they became fast friends. All of us hope it's not 20 years before we meet again! I think a Post reunion needs to be planned. Cherilynne and Em what happened to your great plans??? Note to self...I must get on them when we get home!

Tired from a day of exploring we returned to the hotel around 11:00. Because, I am so old as Josh says, I hit the bed as soon as possible. Imagine my surprise when the fire alarm went off. Seriously???? I'm sleepy. I gathered the kids and successfully got Josh to put some shorts on after several attempts, grabbed my purse, and headed down the stairs mumbling,"there better be a fire". Well there was no fire just a false alarm, great! You would think that this was the first time this ever happened to us, well you would be wrong we have participated in countless false alarms at hotels. All which tend to occur after the 11:00 hour. Could we once have one during the day???

Still it was a really good day!!!

Boise/Salt Lake

Boise is my kind of city. It's small easy to get around and yet offers city amenities. The people I haven't quite figured out yet, they all kind of keep to themselves and are a little on the eccentric side. Now it could be the part we ended up in or it could be the whole city who knows we were only there for a few hours. We spent Labor Day there and the three things that were open on Monday were closed for the holiday. There was a Basque(still don't know what that means exactly) museum there that looked interesting, but it was closed. We will have to hit that another time when I find out what is so unique about these people and we return to Boise. Not looking overly promising but we will see.

We did stay and have lunch at Zeppole's for Em and me and Piehole for the little ones.

We arrived in Salt Lake at nightfall, it's gigantic. Way bigger than I thought, with every shopping area you could think of. It's layed out kind of like LA.

Day 16

We took the prettiest ride through Oregon today, tall trees, tons of waterfalls and a river that kept following us. At one point we got off of 84 a major road to take historic 30, something I don't typically like to do because I like to get places fast. I am so glad we took the slow route, it was beautiful.

When eating today, Em and I won again. The battle of chain vs indicative to the area place. We picked two from the Roadtripping book. First was Burgerville, a fast food restaurant, which is usually not my first pick. It is some what of a chain in Oregon and Seattle so therefore it becomes indicative! All the food they serve is locally grown, some is organic and they are big into recycling. The food was really good for fast food, they even had sweet potato fries(my favorite). Then on the receipt, which I didn't like the list each persons order with their total calories, fat grams, sodium, etc. Needless to say I didn't finish my Washington cherry chocolate shake:( Second stop was DJs Family Restaurant which was ok not worthy of a second trip but not a chain:)

Final stop of the day...Doubletree in Boise, Idaho. I got a rate of $59.00, and earned Hilton points(upside), no elevator and a rather odd smell(downside), but did I mention we earned points???? Oh, and got Ally's favorite cookies on the planet!

Day 15 and Off to Oregon

The traffic heading out of Seattle was not my idea of a fun Saturday drive. Ugh, there are so many people driving to who knows where. My love of Seattle is waning slightly as I am not a huge fan of traffic and lots of people, I tend to be a little impatient!!

We did stop for a Clark Griswold Grand Canyon moment at Mt. St. Helens National Park. We were there long enought to grab a soda, take a quick look at the giftshop, and a take a 1 mile trail walk. Josh was not thrilled by the "hike" because he was not scaling rocks, or climbing ladders. He likes a little danger in his hikes:)

We ended the evening with a yummy all these cars can't be wrong meal at Saltys where we got to sit on the water. Josh had a mosiac project that kept him busy for the whole time we were there. Nesie and I said to ourselves we need to get more of these STAT, as anything that keeps my blue eyes jr entertained is worthy of purchase!! Anyway, it was a wonderful way to have our last dinner of the trip with Nesie. We all wanted to kidnap her for a few more days, plus I think she would've liked our drive through Oregon much prettier than our drive through southern Washington.

We finished our evening with a trip to the best bookstore I have ever been to. My first impression as I was driving around looking for a place big enough to park the Jesus van 2, was not good. It looked dirty from the outside and there were VERY interesting people hanging out around the whole block this store occupied. However, when we entered it was like a library and bookstore all in one. I could've easily stayed for the weekend just in that store. Floors filled with books, I conquered only the kids and pets section in the hour we were there! If Rich ever wants to know where to take me for a weekend, here's the answer Portland for a weekend at Powells. They have gift cards:)

Day 14 (catch up and trip to Snoqualmie)

We had to say goodbye to Rich on Wed. and twelve hours later hello to Nesie. Josh is having a really hard time without his daddy and being with too many girls! We spent Thursday at the market and had lunch at Lowells. Today we drove endlessly to view a pretty sad waterfall. From the entrance and visitor's center it looked as if it was going to be exceptional, sadly that was not to be! It was nice but in no way warrented the 90 minute drive. Then continued further on 202 to Mt. Si, the most hiked mountin in WA but never figured out how to get to it:( My directions are just not that good. Quickly we hopped on 90 West to make a quick getaway to the Old Spaghetti Factory where they had pasta and lots of it for my carb addicted children and their mom! Nesie took me out to birthday dinner where she even had them sing to me, don't worry I'll get her back! Then as Nesie who always gives the most perfect presents gave me a BP gift card. What an awesome idea for the road trip:)

We head to Oregon in the morning.

Maintenance Day

Jiffy Lube
Prescription Refills
Laundry
Fixing the Leaking "Jesus Van 2" roof
Catching Up on my Blog for my Grandparents

A DAY IN SEATTLE

Our first full day in Seattle included the Pike Place Market. Everytime we come here it's our first stop and everytime it doesn't disappoint. The smell of flowers and awesome food options take you in instantly. Once again dad, all these cars can't be wrong! The street performers, totally had Josh's attention at once. Words and or pictures could not capture all that encompasses the market.

It was a rainy Seattle day. It was cozy and perfect for our first day. Then we went up 405 North to our favorite winery. Chateau Ste Michelle was gorgeous and after the tour we had a tasting with grape juice for the kids. Dick, our tour guide, was the kind of old man I want to put in my pocket. Those who know me best know my thing for sweet old men. Rich has assured me that one day he will grow into this type of man for our sunset years:)

Home for our free, YES, dinner at the hotel, and to prepare for our "maintenance" day.

8/30

We are almost to the west coast. After 10 days we've made it to Spokane. Its bittersweet! Our driving force to make it all the way across the country is now almost gone and yet our goal is in sight:)

We stopped in Spokane to meet Steph and have Starbuck! Always trying to find a time to use alliteration, it's a homeschool thing:)

One last stop of Americana before we reach our destination...The Palace Cafe in Ellensburg, WA. Em and I held out for this one, the others were weak and wanted a chain. But, I'm glad we did! I had the best fish tacos at a place that had been in operation since 1892. Remembering the advice my dad used to always give, all these cars can't be wrong, Em and I won the restaurant choice:) And once again my dad was right!

At 10:30 we had arrived in Seattle, 3775 miles, a check off my bucket list, 10 days of memories with the Knorr 5 I will never forget, and a sad happiness that if we ever do that again it will never be the same! WE MADE IT!!!

8/29

We spent a good part of today in Yellowstone. What we wanted to see was moose and bears, what we did see were about a million bison and many elk, and some squirrels, and a trumpeter swan(which was unique, but not a bear)! I am convinced that God thinks the Knorrs should only visit zoos to see animals:)

Then we drove forever to see Old Faithful! Not a huge hit with our kids, not sure exactly why??? It was cool it was just a lot of hoopla leading up to the 60 second event! We also got to visit the four day old brand new visitor center...too bad my kids don't like those either. Rich has promised me when we get old and the children are grown he's going to take me back to all the National Parks and do all the movies and visitor centers. So when the kids beg us to take there kids, our grandbabies, for the weekend we will have to say no, we have to go see the movies you made us miss when we were little:) We also met the friendliest maintenance man, Mr. Phillips. He gave us an E True Hollywood story behind Yellowstone:)

After driving through some of the most beautiful parts of Montana we stopped for the night in Missoula, MT. In order to save some money we were determined to try a night away from my beloved Hilton chain. Much to my surprise we stayed at the most wonderful Motel 6. I know right, Motel 6. It was clean and modern with hardwood floors. It's like we had stepped right into Ikea to sleep. I will never knock a non Hilton again:) Well maybe, we'll see how it goes after we leave Seattle and Homewood Suites:)

8/28

Detective Stabler and Benson would have been proud...I loaded my 9mm with my clip and went to shooting. So much fun!! After trying my hand with many different
weapons the 9mm was still my favorite:)

Dos Nachos with Megan as our waitress.

Catching Up

8/27: We got a real nap today:) It was so nice to have some down time, after seven days of driving we finally had some rest in Billlings. I had expected it to be the sticks and actually it was more like Frederick than what I has imagined!

Evening at the Golden Nugget rest/casino. All over the west they have these combos and we wanted something "indicitive" to the area, and that's where they took us. It was really good and super cheap, which was an added bonus. Birthday dessert was at Candytown, USA. A lovely candy store/soda fountain.

Back to the Hampton for an early to night to heal my back and catch up on lost sleep.

Birthday on the Adventure

Today is Blue Eye's 41st birthday!! We are one week into our journey and while it's had it's many ups and a couple downs, I can't imagine not taking this first stretch without him or being able to do this at all without his incredible love and support through all the planning and executing. I'm a blessed girl to have been married to him for half our lives!

Americana Lunch, Repitle Garden and a Bittersweet Picnic in Wyoming

Driving through Custer State Park we made a stop at a horse ranch for lunch. It was Americana (a term we have coined for our trip to describe a myriad of things) at it's best. Interesting people, and really good cheeseburgers were the main attractions.

Yesterday was a lot of scenic driving and a stop at the Reptile Gardens. Ally has never met a reptile she didn't love. The Reptile Garden has a Komodo dragon, her absolute favorite animal at the moment:) She even wanted to take a missions trip to Indonesia with the hopes of spotting her beloved dragon. While I'm still resting my back (ugh) Em took her to the gardens and got to witness her enjoying her first experience with a live Komodo. I have to admit I'm a little jealous and frustrated with my back:( The good news is that the kids are having to rely on each other and are making memories on the adventure that belong just to them.

Miles and miles of nothing but beautiful scenery on our way to Billings. We had a picnic at a Wyoming rest stop. It had the potential to be one of those sweet tender family moments eating and having devotions in a quiet scenic rest area...Well that was not to be instead we have memories of trying to eat and quickly finish devotions while Josh had his first major meltdown of the trip. We ususally experience this at least once a day but thankfully it was the the first one in 6 days. On the bright side at least we made a memory. One of those memories that the girls will relive at a holiday dinner in front of Josh's whole family like Nesie and I do to Chris:)

South Dakota Surprisingly not what I expected

Despite the incredible amount of apple juice Josh was capable of spilling at breakfast, yesterday rocked!

We made a stop at the Badlands National Park, wasn't on the agenda but so worth the time:) The kids had a blast hiking the door trail, without mom and dad. My back has decided to give out on me:( and Rich HATES to hike! We are going to have to return for sure since I got a little emotional about not being able to go with the kids.

Then off to Wall Drug, we had an overpriced meal with our free water and 5 cent coffee:) However, it's like the Mall of America, once you've been there you are good to go!

Mt. Rushmore at night, was gorgeous. There is also something oddly exciting about being in a national park after hours! Another check off the bucket list:)

Today we are headed to Billings, Mt to visit Rich's friends the Brusios. Shooting and fishing are on the agenda, I think! Woohoo!!!!

Day 4...

We left Omaha to head to Mt Rushmore, however, we are still 3 hours away. We did have a good drive, with lots of stops at brown signs,and a stop at Subway for Ally, thank you blue eyes:) The maps make places seem way too close when they are really not:)

Omaha was not at all like I pictured. It was clean, they had a pretty big shopping area, zoo, museums, and it wasn't crowded. I think we could come back for a midwest vacation for sure, well maybe just Rich and me.

We spent the majority of our day on I90, where we went to a sculpture park, a theater made out of corn, and Al's Oasis. I will post pictures as soon as I learn how.

Ally is fading fast...she is ready to go home not soon but NOW!!! At least we've had no fever or throwing up yet like in her younger days:)

Day 4

As we begin day 4 there are a few things I have learned on this adventure: 1) After being together 24/7 for four days straight you begin to see cracks in relationships that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise. 2) If you don't leave one destination until 6 pm you won't get to your next destination until way too LATE. 3) Scheduling ADHD children really does help them. 4) There are a lot of casinos here. 5) Super gas is 15 cents cheaper than regular in the midwest. 6)I have the best family ever. They are willing give up there lives for 40 days to help me make a dream a reality!

Next Day Ponderings on my 40th

Yesterday was my 40th birthday, hence the start of our journey. With the start of the trip and the lack of sleep from the night before, I didn't have much time to process and think. Today, however, is a different story.

With being 40 comes a certain freedom that you don't have when you are younger. I have more of a knowledge of who I am and what I want, what I like and what I don't like, more of a security of who I am in Christ. One other biggie, much to my girls embarrassment, a freedom to speak my mind. So I'm praying that in my 40's I learn wisdom and self control on when to speak and when to be content with not letting everyone know what I think!!

With 508 miles under our belt, today holds 350 ish to Chicago with a stop at Humboldt Park. And here's fingers crossed, a stop at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

Day 1 under our belt

We were supposed to leave today at 12:01 am...and in a fashion that only suits us we were underway at 4am!

First thing forgotten, Josh's shorts. We get to Sheetz to fill up on gas and coffee to discover our nine year old forgot to put his shorts on when we left the house. Whew, Easy fix!

Our first stop The New Brighton Hot Dog Shop near Beaver Falls, PA. Rich had been thinking about his hotdogs and fries all morning during his drive. Sadly, they don't sell those menu options until 11. After much support my husband picked up his pouty lip and determined that he would survive without his favorite hotdogs!

We arrived to our destination around 1:00 to rain. So we headed to the Detroit Science Center and then off to my beloved Hilton chain hotel. Tonight Embassy Suites a swim and quick dinner should finish us off and then to bed.

Preparations Are Under Way

Most people the night before a vacation are checking their lists, finishing up the packing, cleaning the house and getting a good nights sleep. Us? No, the Knorrs are having a campfire party with a few friends that has turned into 20. Thanks to my oldest, Em. Yikes!

The route has been planned, the money has been taken out of the account, the car has been checked and rechecked and we just a little over 24 hours away from our departure!

Friday entails a manicure, last minute packing and a trip to get my hair colored. I will be 40 on Saturday and have never done anything like that to my hair, so here goes...chalk it up to my mid life crisis!