All About Family

When Stacey and I took our own trip to Vegas a few months ago, we reassured the kids that the whole family would be taking a trip together in the summer. Ten days, nine nights, 2244 miles of driving over 44 and half hours, three destinations and 28 repetitions of Kidz Bop later, it was quite the vacation.

Act I: Spartanburg, SC

We decided to drive the whole way there in one day. We broke up the trip with a stop at Luray Caverns in Virginia. Once we reassured the kids that there were no bears in the cave, they warmed up to it. Hannah listened to the audio tour and Ben had to fight the urge to touch things and go off the path. Jefferson found himself unstrapped form the car seat and strapped into the umbrella stroller, but he was at least glad to get out of the minivan for a while.


We arrived at Stacey's Mom's well after midnight and after sleeping in a bit went to a local park with a miniature train to ride.


We did the Spartanburg fair and the Greenville fair; both of which hired the same blow-up stuff company. This waterfall wall provided relief from the oppressive heat and humidity.



Act II: Myrtle Beach, SC

Then, it was on to the beach. While we have been to several lakes, this was the kids' first time at the ocean. We happened to capture the two seconds Jefferson sat down to play in the sand; most of his time was spent going as far out into the water as he could.


Hannah enjoyed the waves and sand, but after a mouthful of salt water, she had no problem rinsing off and heading to the water park.


The next morning, we took a boat tour that stopped on a beach at the mouth of a river. The kids played in the brackish water and, of course, Jefferson ran in as soon as we put him down.


Even though we only spent a day and a half there, we got the whole beach experience; including shells, souvenirs, and sand that will be in the van forever, now.

Act III: Pittsburgh

Once again we had a long car ride. This time we broke it up with a stop in West Virgina at Someplace Special Gem Mine. After having the good luck of not encountering opposing traffic on the long, one-way road back to the farm, we sat at the sluice and sifted out a decent size baggie full of gems and minerals.


And, of course, we got to be a part of Uncle Tim's month-long birthday extravaganza.


What's a family vacation without an amusement park? This year Jefferson was big enough to experience the thrills of Kiddieland at Kennywood. Here's his reaction after his first ride. I'm pretty sure that's his "thrilled" face because he made it a lot on this trip.


As all things come to an end, this was Hannah's last year for Kiddieland. Here's her last ride on the Whippersnapper, which Ben was excited to share with her.


Coincidentally, it was our sixth Anniversary that day. We celebrated with a ride on the Sky Coaster because... well... why not, right? I mean, what's more romantic than being strapped together and dropping 180 feet on a giant swing?


Which brings us back to family. Everyone needs a vacation now and then to put aside the daily routine and just have fun together and make memories - and that we did.


...see, there's that "thrilled" face again.