The only issue there was that there were three parking spaces designated for minivans, and parked in those spaces were…um, not minivans.
This has allowed a deep-seated rivalry to form.
Gag me with a spoon.
And it was partly driven by a desire to avoid being in Texas in the dog days of summer. Because it makes so much more sense for us to spend those days in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama instead.
Having successfully infiltrated enemy territory, I radioed headquarters for my orders. Would I be able to bring the whole place down? Cover it with carefully-worded graffiti? Give the place a…um…baptism?
Unfortunately, I was told to stand down. When I asked why, they gave me a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo, saying our plans were “against the law” or “frowned upon in decent society”. So I farted in its general direction. If I ever come back, I will insult them for a second time.
Oh, you wanted to see more? Fine. We pressed on, just to satisfy all of you.
I mean, any time you can make a guitar out of a bed pan, you just gotta do it.
Sense? Um, well, I don't know about Mississippi and Alabama, but I've been in Louisiana in July and it ain't no picnic. I didn't know I could sweat in those places!And it was partly driven by a desire to avoid being in Texas in the dog days of summer. Because it makes so much more sense for us to spend those days in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama instead.
Is there such a thing as bad barbecue? I guess it could happen, but it looks pretty awesome. Fire and meat is the best recipe ever.I went with the pulled pork, and was very happy with my choice. Best BBQ ever? No. Worthy of a stop? Absolutely.
Enjoying the bonus trip report.
I'm glad you got something from Southwest for all your trouble last year! And Texas/New Mexico on Spring Break is probably a good idea, not a prime destination for most (read not crowded and busy), but still a good use of the weather in your favor.
Wow! After your discussion of Sports teams and rivalries, I'm glad that I have nothing to do with them. I know out here rooting for the wrong team can get your butt kicked to the point that you become a virtual vegetable, and even though sports (watching them, I enjoyed playing) never interested me, after I realized how much parking lot violence there is, I was glad to avoid them.
I'm not sure that I've ever tried a Whataburger, but based on your recommendation I doubt I would go out of my way for one. You know your story of driving across Texas reminded me a of a series of novels that I think you would enjoy. They're murder mysteries by author Ben Rehder, The Blanco County Mysteries, and they're really hilarious. The only sane character in the books is the main character who is a Game Warden in Texas, everyone else is just wacko, but they are very engaging stories. I'm glad that I looked this guy up, because he's written four more books since I last listened to them and I put them on our wishlist at Audible.
Nice that your parents were playing tour guide for you all, it's fun when someone knows the area and can take you around. That BBQ place looked pretty good, but that was a huge serving of pulled pork! That would last me for several days! Forget the PB&J! I'd be having leftover pulled pork sandwiches!
It also seems that the Eagles/Cowboys game comes at a pivot point in the season -- one always seems to be knocking the other out of the playoffs. Shame you couldn't have baptized the stadium.
I've driven by a Whataburger, but have never tried one. Now I'm in even less of a hurry to try them out.
The barbecue looks pretty good, but of course, the proof is in the eating.
They can take the reservation...just not produce the vehicle reserved. For us, it seems more often than not, the rental company does not have the car we reserved.
Our house is right there with you with the Dallas rivalry.....although....we also have a rivalry with the Eagles and Giants......I'm sure you can figure out were our loyalty lies. It's been a loooooonnnnngggggg dry period for us......but we still pay for the NFL package so we can watch the games....sigh.
This made me chuckle - in our house growing up, we said gag me with a pitchfork - not sure where that came from.
too perfect
Now....this really appeals to me (the road looks like it needs to be repaved) - what is the speed limit? I can see me hitting the pedal to the metal (of course with no other cars in sight). Where I live, we have an area of the freeway that is 16 lanes (between both sides - maybe even 18) and quite often, bumper to bumper traffic.
Great that your parents are joining you. I'm sure they love spending time with the grandkids.....and ok, you and Julie too.
You is smart.
You need new Commanders.
Well, yeah, kinda. I mean I'm up to 43,208 PB&J sandwich lunches, and would love to make it an even 50,000.
That's just rich.
I'll bet it hits the bottom notes pretty well.
Love that The Oblivious Grandparents have made the trek to join. This oughtta be interesting!
Sense? Um, well, I don't know about Mississippi and Alabama, but I've been in Louisiana in July and it ain't no picnic. I didn't know I could sweat in those places!
Oh, and then you said some stuff about football but the whole time I was just thinking, yeah, but what about the Philadelphia Flyers who beat my Montreal Canadiens in the conference final in 1986 (oh, but don't worry, the Canadiens got back at them in '88). I've heard of the Eagles and Cowboys and I do watch the Superbowl, but let's be honest, it's mostly for the commercials.
Is there such a thing as bad barbecue? I guess it could happen, but it looks pretty awesome. Fire and meat is the best recipe ever.
As fellow road trip/NPS fans...I had to post to say just how much I enjoyed reading your trip report! I have bookmarked it to make notes for future trips, and appreciate all the details/photos/humor that you put into it.
And, I have to ask (I grew up in Albuquerque, NM)...did you try Lotaburger while you were traveling? I still dream of that place, and hit it every time we go back to visit.
More like three other states, but there are times when I’d be just fine with this being so.Bonus Chapter 1: It’s Like A Whole Other Country.
Hummm, Ok….Guess what?
Oh…This time the process of flying out of BWI was so routine, and so devoid of drama, I’m going to skip writing about it other than to say we’re thankful that we didn’t have any issues.
And that’s the absolute least they could have done.Southwest Airlines had given us flight credits after our fiasco the previous summer…
Something else that is infinitely logical……so we’d wanted to make sure we used them before they expired.
Ummmmm…And it was partly driven by a desire to avoid being in Texas in the dog days of summer.
Probably should have chosen the “dry” heat over the “wet” verity for the high summerBecause it makes so much more sense for us to spend those days in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama instead.
Just don’t be driving through Dealey Plaza with the top down once you hit the road.We landed at Love Field in Dallas, Texas, had no trouble collecting our bags, and went to pick up our rental.
And many longtime DFW residents would be pleased by this fact.On Friday morning, we greeted Dallas by immediately leaving.
An army travels on is stomachWell, almost immediately. We had a long drive ahead of us, and our first order of business was to pick up our peanut butter and jelly supplies.
Just as nearly all the fans of the other thirty teams do.As a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan, Dallas is considered enemy territory.
Yep, but… they’ve been eclipsed in that ability in recent years.There is nothing in this world Eagles fans hate more than the Dallas Cowboys. It’s bad enough that they are divisional rivals, but on top of that, there’s an arrogance to everything the Cowboys do that is extremely irritating.
The Braves did the same thing around that time…Somewhere along the way, they decided to market themselves as “America’s Team”…
Ding, ding ding!!!but I think what really makes the hatred come to a boil are Dallas Cowboys fans themselves.
Proviso accepted…And I don’t mean the ones who come by it honestly…
I do believe that’s just simply understood?It’s amazing how many Cowboys fans I run into who also happen to love the New York Yankees.
Well, I was around the last time one of my teams won a championship, but…The problem is, I wasn’t even born the last time the Eagles won anything.
I like that moniker.So, that’s a lot of build-up just to say that we did a drive-by of AT&T Stadium, or as we like to call it, “Jerry World”
I’m voting for baptism.Having successfully infiltrated enemy territory, I radioed headquarters for my orders. Would I be able to bring the whole place down? Cover it with carefully-worded graffiti? Give the place a…um…baptism?
Just so long as you do it in an outrageous accent.So I farted in its general direction. If I ever come back, I will insult them for a second time.
That was my experience when we drove the length of it in 73…With supplies in hand, we left Dallas and headed west. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but Texas is big.
Well, at least your clothes were dry this time.It would take us the entire day to complete our drive to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Nothing like starting out a vacation with mindless hours on the road.
Never heard of ‘em…Although we’d just picked up food, we broke up our drive by stopping for lunch at a Whataburger.
Well, you are a burger connoisseur; I suspect most chains would not meet expectationsThe verdict, all around:
Meh.
It’s North Dakota all over again.Eventually we left Texas Hill Country and then the interstate behind and moved into the desert area we’d expected to see. It made for a very visually stimulating drive.
Interesting…We arrived in the town of Carlsbad and checked into our hotel. It was there that we met up with our celebrity guests on this particular trip: my mom and dad, who would be joining us for most of the week. West Texas (more specifically, Big Bend National Park) is one of their favorite getaway destinations, and they go back every few years during the spring.
I’d take the risk on a spot like this.We all went to dinner at the Red Chimney Barbecue, trying to start this trip off right.
Nice and schizophrenic…A close look at the décor may reveal why this place appealed to us.
Well not all “Q” is miraculous (and bless those places where it is), but you have to work unbelievably hard in order to make “Q” inedible.I went with the pulled pork, and was very happy with my choice. Best BBQ ever? No. Worthy of a stop? Absolutely.
Just don’t be spending 10,000 years there, OK?Coming Up Next: A Cave of Wonders!
Why did the hero flush the toilet?
We'll be much better once the doctor comes out of the OR and says everything went well. Until that time, we're parents. We worry about our kids. It's what we do.
We all take our turn in the meat grinder. Speaking of which, it looks like you're getting your turn now. I hope your SIL is ok!
I have to admit that NOLA is going to get short-changed on this trip. We are only going to be there for a very short time, not nearly enough to really say we explored it. As we've often discovered on these trips, you just can't do everything.
Good to know! About the ease of travel, I mean. What did you think I meant?
It will probably come down to economics for us, but I'll be researching airfare heavily when the time comes.
Timberline Lodge is near Mt. Hood, right? I think I have heard of it before but will need to look into it. And yes--Crater Lake is in the middle of nowhere. Tough to get to, but like I tell my kids--if you want to see something special, you have to do the work to get there. We'll have to see how it plays out.
I didn't know about the Oregon Trail Museum in Baker City--this is why I need locals feeding me good intelligence!
Whenever I've looked at the Ahwahnee (or whatever they call it now), the prices have made me . But if there was ever a place to splurge...
More like three other states, but there are times when I’d be just fine with this being so.
Hummm, Ok….
A Disney bus driver gave you a bit of inside info that was actually true?
Oh…
you wanted me to come up with something improbable rather that something impossible.
My bad.
And that’s the absolute least they could have done.
Something else that is infinitely logical…
Probably should have chosen the “dry” heat over the “wet” verity for the high summer
(but you are ruled by the school calendar)
Just don’t be driving through Dealey Plaza with the top down once you hit the road.
And many longtime DFW residents would be pleased by this fact.
“Danged foreigners!”
An army travels on is stomach
Just as nearly all the fans of the other thirty teams do.
(although I must admit that they’ve improved from being my second most hatted franchise all the way up to third most despicable. Not because of anything good they’ve done, mind you, but still.)
Yep, but… they’ve been eclipsed in that ability in recent years.
The Braves did the same thing around that time…
They’ve earned the same ire from me for it.
(one reason I don’t really have a favorite MLB team.)
Ding, ding ding!!!
But again I say, they have been eclipsed by another group of “fans” who have raise that condition up to high art. (thus raising my opinion of the Dallas fan, if only ever so slightly.)
I do believe that’s just simply understood?
Well, I was around the last time one of my teams won a championship, but…
I was rather young (and I am now rather old… rather…)
I like that moniker.
Will have to borrow that one (giving credit where due, of course)
I’m voting for baptism.
I think this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part.
Just so long as you do it in an outrageous accent.
That was my experience when we drove the length of it in 73…
Big… wide… long… rather empty
at least as seen from the highways.
Like every other place on earth, I know it’s fascinating if you take time to find out why, but from the perspective of driving (or ridding as a passenger)…
Yeah, not so much.
Well, at least your clothes were dry this time.
Well, you are a burger connoisseur; I suspect most chains would not meet expectations
(but I’ll not go out of my way to test the theory)
It’s North Dakota all over again.
Interesting…
How’d they discover it?
(of course you’re going to get to that, but I just felt like asking to ensure that it happens).
I’d take the risk on a spot like this.
Nice and schizophrenic…
a decent omen for a dinning establishment.
Well not all “Q” is miraculous (and bless those places where it is), but you have to work unbelievably hard in order to make “Q” inedible.
Just don’t be spending 10,000 years there, OK?
It’ll give you such a crick in the neck.
Oh, and while I’m here…
Reminder that July 24th is National Whack Scotty With A Pillow Day.
Just sayin’
Because it was his "doody"!
(You know I could go on all day long, right?)
Yes. And it doesn't end when they're married apparently. Suddenly your kids-in-law also get the worry treatment. And sometimes they even give you reason to...
See comment above...
But yes, he'll in time be fine. Just gonna take some good old fashioned time. And pain meds.
No, you just can't. Gotta go with what interests the crowd most and and leave the rest for a (hopeful) next time.
Well, the pizza of course. Because pizza > most everything else
It always comes down to that, doesn't it?
Yes, it is. So only about an hour and a half from Portland. Crater Lake is a good 4-5 hours from Portland. If I'd choose, I'd say, The Columbia R. Gorge and Timberline Lodge are more worth it than Crater Lake. You can do both the former as a loop drive.
You can count on me!
Yeah, it's a crapton to stay, but you can always just pop in for a look-see, do the requisite oohing and ahhing, and take off for cheaper options.
Like the one I live in, for example.I suspect many could say the same about other states.
That would be the "Pats"So who's on top? The Braves and....?
More like chaos theory, then?Careful. "Logic" and "Oblivious Family" don't often intersect.
Oh no...Then there were those countless games watching Maddux and Glavine get strikes called a foot outside every SINGLE TIME...but I'm not bitter.
its funny only because it's true.They're probably also Warriors fans...this year.
From this I take it that you already wave an initial set of musts for the Northwest trip.As I look at it, Baker City doesn't fit easily into a road trip, either.
I am a full-service operation here.
We've all got those certain things we just can't say no to.
And you can drop anvils on your enemies!
Well, thank you. Mostly those are just describing whatever dumb thing Drew is doing that day.
If it was just about me, it would be: got up. Went to work. Worked. Came home. Ate dinner. Went to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Yeah, I've been shocked twice in the last 2 doctor visits. Last year was her first out of the brace, and she was still going through the end of puberty. So I thought for sure that her curvature would worsen after taking the brace off. Instead, it measured exactly the same as the year before, at 48 degrees. So this year, I didn't know what to expect, and was waiting for yet another "wait and see" direction from the doctor. Instead, it worsened by 10 degrees. It's been a weird ride, for sure. But I do prefer to have a definite answer over "wait and see".
I do that for me, too. If I can joke about it, then it doesn't seem as scary to me.
It's also, like you noted, a way to release the tension for all of you. It's a signal to let you know that hey, it's ok to joke about it
You don't have to be solemn.
Life is still going on. We are all called to go through tough stretches in life. There are so many people who have it much worse.
The hospital has been really good about putting information in our hands. The doctor is very knowledgeable, and great at taking the time to answer our questions. They put on a seminar once a year where kids who have had this surgery, and parents who have been through it, take the time to talk to us about their experiences. It's been very helpful.
Yeah, I really hope she is home that fast. Nobody wants more than the bare minimum of hospital food. I'll probably have to smuggle food in to her as it is.
Thank you so much. We appreciate your prayers and everyone else's!
As I mentioned at the end of the previous chapter, we ended 2016 with the big kids at 42 states and Drew at 32.
Sarah just finished her freshman year of high school
which is the completely arbitrary deadline we’ve set for ourselves
As it is, we’ll probably start having to deal with summer jobs and trying to schedule our trips around those pretty soon—because working around the school schedule just wasn’t challenging enough.
2018: The 50-State Tour goes on hiatus for Drew’s first Walt Disney World Extravaganza. Our reasoning for doing this in 2018 is as follows:
1. It’s Disney. Isn’t that reason enough?
I hate crowds.
I’m happy to wait out the crowds and head back for my taste of Star Wars land in a couple of years.
2019: Pacific Northwest. This will get us to Oregon and Washington (and hopefully we’ll get to see @Steppesister !).
2020: Just after Sarah graduates high school, we’ll be ready to take on Alaska. As long as I have the funding figured out by then.
4. Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, Illinois
3. (tie) The Machine Shed, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
2. Wurst Bier Hall, Fargo, North Dakota
(Tie) I-94 through North Dakota
Basically, just don’t drive in the Midwest.
Things I Never Need To Experience Again
5. I-94 through North Dakota
1. 9 hours of flight delays, followed by a cancellation, followed by our bags disappearing for 2 days, followed by getting up at 1:30 a.m. for the new flight, followed by discovering all of our clothes are soaked in our luggage.
Biggest Regrets
3. Missing out on lunch in Fargo with @pkondz
2. Being unable to figure out how to fit Winnipeg into the itinerary
4. The Martian, Andy Weir
1. 11/22/63, Stephen King
Have I lost you yet? You’re still here?
Day 1: Driving all day to my uncle’s place in Virginia. Crash there.
Day 4: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
Day 15: Crash.
Like the one I live in, for example.
(but as of late, our northern neighbor has been going far out of its way to make us look almost reasonable.)
That would be the "Pats"
A supreme mixture of arrogance combined with an insufferable fan base.
(and it's more the fans that tend to be jumpin' up and down on my last nerve)
More like chaos theory, then?
Oh no...
Not in the least.
its funny only because it's true.
From this I take it that you already wave an initial set of musts for the Northwest trip.
I'd be curious to hear the preliminary list.
I already do that... But not having to lift them over my head would be nice.
I remember those days. Didn't have Facebook back then, though.
Sounds familiar.
Quite the ride indeed. I too would prefer a "This is what's wrong. This is how we fix it."
I know that too. And we appreciate it Mark.
Not even in church???
Woot! I am gonna partee!!!!
Hmmm... I've heard this many times.... and yet you have to be the one to live your life. So any difficult time you are having is by definition, the worst.
Don't minimize what will be (and is!) a difficult time. Lean on us. We're right here.
That's really good! I especially like the seminar. I would think that would be a real comfort.
No rule against that... unless of course there's a rule against that.
So a do-over of 10 States is imminent...
I had to Google (before I saw your next sentence about 4 years) to see what that is.
I never know. We just say "Grade 9".... no, not 9th grade. It's a Canadianism to always say "Grade 9".
Those are the best kind.
That's why we're going to Vancouver at the end of August... When Elle is done her summer job.
You can stop right there.
'nuff said there too.
Ditto. I'm in no rush. I like the movies well enough, but I'm not fanatical about it.
Certainly not enough to be constantly elbowed over it.
Nice! You guys will like her.
Kay fell in love with her.
Heck, so did I. (Just don't tell Ruby!)
You might want to pick Alison's brain on that one.
I have a co-worker who did an Alaskan cruise with his family.
What he did was take a small inner berth and a large outer.
That way the kids had a place to crash and a place to sit during the day.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the tip!
Liked that one, didja?
Yeah... Guess what I'm doing next week?
Awww...
Actually, Winnipeg was just picked by... I think ABC news? as the 2nd best place to see in Canada.
Read those two. Great reads!
Dude. Don't use the words "drive" and "crash" on the same line!
Bucket list.
Dude!
Bacon?
The kids are always more entertaining than we are.
Mine is different from your daily itinerary in that it includes going to sleep.
I think evidence abounds that God has a sense of humor. Nothing wrong with laughing in church!
I think as we get closer, I'll start to worry more and will definitely need to reach out.
But I also think it's very important to keep perspective. I have good health insurance, the surgery is being performed by a top-notch professional, and it should result in better quality of life for my daughter. This is a good thing.
Even if there is a rule...well, you may have noticed: I'm excellent at playing dumb.