Road Trip 2008-East to West Coast!

Day 1: Virginia Beach, VA to Kennesaw, GA
Projected trip time was 10 hours-actual time was 12 hours. Over 600 miles! We got a late start, dropped off two boxes with UPS and we were still loaded down with junk! Drew was good..minus a major blow out! Spending time with friends for a couple days here! More news later and def pictures!

Day 2: Holbrook House!
We spent the day with our friends Ashley, Jason and Little Gracie Holbrook. We ate a a really cool burger joint called The Counter. Google it and see if there is one in your area as its well worth a trip! We then headed to the Georgia Aquarium. The kiddies loved it and especically Gracie! She likes the Ishies a lot!!!! Wish these kids could hang out all the time!!!

Day 3:
Our last day in Georgia took us to see Auntie Liz and her mom Jennie one more time! We had lunch at a little Irish pub in Carrolton and Drew stood by his big boy self TWICE! We have witnesses! He is the biggest chicken I think I have seen in a kid! He is curious but oh so cautious! I am in no hurry to get him walking as I think it will make this road trip that much more interesting with him wanting to practice his new skill! Soon enough I think!!!

Day 4:
Well we found ourselves staying up late into the night discussing politics and world peace..just kidding. No we really were discussing just about everything under the sun! Nice to have friends who can agree to disagree but love you all the same! We got little sleep and so therefore only drove about half of what we intended to drive today. Instead of ending our night in New Orleans we are in little Meridian, Mississippi! Headed to New Orleans tomorrow then! Slowly making our way cross country! For those interested Drew is holding up better then his momma who needs sleep!

Day 5: New Orleans!!!
We drove the rest of the way to New Orleans today. Checked into the lovely Loew after a nice recommendation. They did not disappoint(minus the 13 bucks they wanted for internet) We ate at Mr B's-another great recommendation! We saw the notes from Former Presidents Bill Clinton and the Late Ronald Reagen. Jason braved the messy BBQ Shrimp and I got Jambalaya! We strolled around, ate some junk and stayed as cool as possible in the heat! Drew held up great and fell asleep on our walk back to the hotel! We decided to enjoy a lovely "early" Anniversary dinner at Nola- Emerils little place on St Louis street! WELL WORTH the price! I ate and ate and kept eating!

Day 6: New Orleans to Houston
What can you say about an entire day spent in the car? High light was..um No highlight! Well we are alive and that much closer to California. Rather blah day..Jason drove ALL day! Thanks babe! My sister proposes I tell everyone what day we are actually on...I can't remember so thats the first problem! Today is August 28th! (wed)

Day 7: August 29th
Spending the day in Houston!!! We ate breakfast at the local Panera-exciting times! Jason and Drew are heade to the Houston Air and Space Museum to check out the Star Wars Special Exhibit. Mama Jen is staying here and resting. I am not a lover of all things Museum-nor of Star Wars. AND Drew had a horrible night-who knows why. Was awake at 4 something then again at 5 something we put him in bed with us..then was again at it at 6 and 7 and up at 8. He was just unsettled. Maybe too late of a dinner or something or maybe he is just tired of sleeping in his pack n play and hotels! ( I know I am there.) I am just waiting as I have been all summer to finally be "home" I am trying to enjoy this trip but its sorta like wanting to get through Christmas Eve for Christmas Day. You just want it to hurry up and get here.

Day 8: August 30th Happy Birthday Uncle Tom! Headed to San Antonio!
We spent most of the day in the car headed to San Antonio. Typical us we got a late start..forgot something at our hotel and took a really long gas station stop so we got to SA at about 3 something...way later then we wanted too. We are staying at Lackland Air Force Base for the night. There are many ambulances and buses here in preparation for the evacs coming from New Orleans tonight. Its kinda weird to see the process happening and also it seems early but truly isnt. We leave tomorrow for a night in El Paso. Basically the next two days are full on driving days. Make up some time for playing we did the last couple. We are hoping to spend two days in the Grand Canyon and a day in Phoenix so we have to drive a bit more for that to happen. One week from today we should be "home" in Temecula!

Day 9 : August 31st Drive to El Paso.
We again spent an entire day driving. Once we were outta the city of San Antonio it was a beautiful drive! We got a tad bit lost trying to find Fort Bliss where we are staying for the evening but we eventually found it!

Day 10: Sept 1st Drive from El Paso to Albuquerqe(sp?)
Happy Birthday TONI!!!!
Happy 7th Anniversary BABE!
Well the drive didnt take as long as we thought it would. We were actually pleasantly surprised about Albuquerqe. Gorgeous weather this time of year. Stayed again at a military hotel. Ate dinner at this Brazilian resturant that brings out meat over and over again til you say no more! Its basically a meat buffet! It was actually interesting and very tasty! Look for a location near you! It was called Toscanis( spelling might be off there!)


Day 11: Sept 2nd Drive from Alburquereqe to Flagstaff/Grand Canyon
This drive felt the longest but I think we were ALL just over it! We got to the Grand Canyon in time to check into our hotel and see the sunset. We only visited the Southern Rim, which was beautiful, BUT we hope to make it back to the North Rim. We both commented that we were glad Drew couldnt walk or RUN off the side as there are literally places with no guardrail and the kids can just get away! I dont think that happens much or recently but Jason didnt even want me standing too close to the side with Drew! That is also cause he is a tad..tiny bit afraid of heights! ( maybe that explains not wanting to sky dive?) Beautiful place and just amazing. The pics we will post will never show how huge and gorgeous it is. Everywhere you look just looks like a postcard pic!

Day 12: Sept 3rd Grand Canyon *see above

Day 13: Sept 4th Grand Canyon to Phoenix
We did a rather short drive compared to all our other drives but they had increasingly felt longer and longer regardless! Only so many times Drew wants to play with a certain toy or is content to listen to us reading out loud and playing peekaboo with him! We stayed at Luke Air Force Base which was not bad but not the best lodging we have had at a military facilty! They do have good hot chocolate and those that know me know I rank that high on my lifes list of pleasure! (that being sad it was 105F so who really wanted to drink hot chocolate but me!) We met us with cousins of Jasons that we had not seen since our wedding!!! Their youngest had not even been born..and the oldest was still a baby! They are adorable and we're so cute trying and actually getting Drew to giggle at them! He was in a funky mood until he ate a ton of mashed potatoes! We hope we can get together with them again in AZ and or in California!

Day 14: Sept 5th Phoenix to TEMECULA!!! (* one day shorter then planned!)
We opted to do the right thing by Drew this AM and get up at 345 am so that his misery would be less then if we got up later. By doing this he would sleep about half of the 6 hour car trip! It worked! We are tired but it worked! We got to do some house work today and mostly geared up for tomorrows( saturdays) day or labor! Our stuff is set to come on Tuesday and my parents come in on Sunday. We are having the carpets cleaned as well tomorrow!( Thanks Ashley for the organic carpet cleaning idea!) We have a bit of work to do in the next few days but we hope to enjoy some time going to the movie while Grandma spoils Drew! Keep checking back for pics..too tired tonight to post and upload!

Thanks for checking in on us while we were on our Cross Country Trip!