And then, Florida

You might call us road warriors this summer!  We have done a heck of a lotta travel and our fair share of time spent on the road, as in driving.

We clocked almost 1,300 miles in the Oregon to San Fran to Las Vegas drive.  The kids also made the journey by car from Vegas to Snowflake, Az and then Snowflake to Phoenix.

There were plans to head to Florida to visit my Gram.  When we realized Keith had a conflict with a work trip, crazy enough, I decided to go anyway.  So, last Thursday, with the car packed up, we ventured south slightly more than 700 miles to Clearwater.  The drive wasn't too bad and we made good time.  When it came time to head home, that drive was the last thing I wanted to do!  At that point, I just wanted to get it over with.  So, up at 6, on the road at 6:30, stopping for gas/bathroom/snack all in one- no meals taken in a restaurant.  We made it home by 5pm.  (Keith would NEVER have that.  When he drives, it's "oh, i feel like some fries." or, "no kendall, you can't pee in a cup, i will stop for you.")  I was all about the pee in a cup- saves time!!  I grew up doing it.  If it was good enough for me, it's good enough for her I say :)

But, on to the Florida visit.  It was good to see my gram after three years!  She really looked good.  And happy.  We had a nice visit the evening we arrived.  I made breakfast the next morning, we swam in her pool, I had a friend come for a visit, and I made dinner that night and visited some more!

The following day, I took the kids and headed to Tarpon Springs.  I had a blast showing them around.  We visited the sponge docks, had lunch at a greek restaurant (the greek salad I've been craving did not disappoint), drove around the bayou, stopped in a park to climb trees, drove over to my high school, then middle school, then to the park/beach where I hung out as a teen.  Then we drove through downtown, went to the old middle school where I attended 6th grade (an old building that I LOVED), and then out Keystone Road to the house I lived in. We passed my old church along the way.  It's the little things that I found surreal and fun.  Like the old meat market I used to go to with my mom downtown.  Acropolis. It is still there!  Remembering a spot that my youth pastor once made a split decision to off-road in his jeep after he had picked me up so I could attend youth group and didn't have a ride.  The route my bus used to take.  So fun to remember all that!  What a fun day!

We went to Clearwater Beach and stayed one night in a hotel so we could have the better part of two days on the beach.  We took gram out to eat at a couple of her favorite restaurants since she no longer drives.  Oh- and a big highlight was Gram letting the kids drive her scooter around.  They loved that!

So...road warriors no more!  We are in state for a bit.  I am happy about that.  We have a quick trip to Wrightsville Beach and a visit to Wet N Wild, along with back to school shopping, freshman orientation, and Justin's surgery.  And, of course, soccer.

I think this will be a summer none of us will forget.  Lots of memories made.  Despite all that time on the road and in cars, it's been a great adventure.  I am grateful for all that we saw,  for the safety and most of all, the loved ones we were able to see.