July 8-15, 2012: Emerald Isle, NC; BEACH WEEK!!!
Kevin's notes... The time has
been dubbed simply as “Beach week,” the week where we stay in one home and just
enjoy the time at the beach and with family in the beach home. We had in the home my family, Keith and
Sarah, Ryan and Jaclyn and their family, Erin and Mike and their family, and
Jared and Bitsy (and their dog Molly).
We did have
some housekeeping item issues with the house.
Well, it was in very bad condition.
Peeling paint, disgusting floors, loose pieces of wood with nails
sticking out outside, rusted shower rods, dingy bathrooms, unsecured mounted
dishwasher, disgusting glasses and dirty dishes, dirty linens, and more spiders
than we would like to see. I spent a
good portion of the first day or two working with the management company and their
workers to get this resolved. They had
many workers there and brought in a good supply of brand new dishes, pots and
pans, and other items.
In the end,
we received about a 10% discount for the inconvenience, and a 15% discount on a
future beach rental.
Tammy's thoughts: Beach week is wonderful. We enjoy spending time with family and reconnecting in ways which erase the effects of living so far apart. During beach week, I had a 20-mile run scheduled as part of my training. It was hot and humid, even early in the morning. I ran 10 miles from the beach house with the plan to turn around and run back. Simple. At 10 miles I was fine and hitting my pace. At 15 I was OK. Kevin checked on me at 10 and 12 and 15, then he just went back to the beach house. About 17, bad things started happening. I started getting dizzy and pretty soon couldn't run anymore. I saw someone running toward me and I thought I was seeing things because it looked like Kevin, but that wasn't possible. I really was in a scary state at that point. Thankfully it was Kevin. He had been at the beach house and felt a quiet prompting to come find me. He grabbed 2 cold bottles of water to take with him. That is unusual all by itself, because I don't generally like cold water. He handed me a bottle and I dumped it straight on my head. He knew then that I was in bad shape. I tried to run but just couldn't, so we walked the rest of the way. I ended up running 18 miles out of the 20 I was suppose to run and learned a valuable lesson about running in the combination of heat and humidity. I feel grateful for a husband who listens and responds to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
Kevin's notes...We knew this was going to be the toughest travel day on the vacation. We left at 6:05am and headed to Mount Solon, Virginia, which was basically at the Virginia/West Virginia border. Kaylee was invited to attend a camp with Olivia Henderson at Camp May Flather. We had to arrive by about 2pm, so had to leave around 6am from the beach in order to make it there in time. We met Olivia and her mother, Donna, around 2pm, dropped off Kaylee, and then headed to Nashville (Murfreesboro). We arrived in Murfreesboro around 10pm. With the one hour time change, it made for a 17-hr day.
Monday, July 16, 2012: Murfreesboro-Nashville, TN
Kevin's notes...
We slept
until 8am. I did some work in the
morning and Tammy worked out during PX90.
We then
drove by Castle Gwynn and saw it from the highway.
We then
drove to Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN.
Jaclyn and children came as well.
We toured the hotel and grounds.
Tammy went
to a pocketbook shop while we all waited.
Then Tori and Kimber rode back with Jaclyn and ate at Wendy’s, while
Kevin and Tammy drove by the saw the outside of the Grand Ol’ Opry.
When we
arrive back at Jaclyn and Ryan’s house, Kevin did more work. Tammy had a 5pm massage at Massage Envy.
Jaclyn made
us dinner, and then Tammy and Jaclyn went to an outlet mall while the kids
played, Kevin did some work, then Ryan and Kevin watched the US Men’s Olympic
basketball team play in their second exhibition against Brazil.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012: States of TN, AR, OK
Kevin's notes... I kept less and less details of the trip home, but we left at around 8:30am towards Oklahoma City. First, though, we made a quick stop in Nashville at Centennial Park and arrived at 9:15am. We primarily went into the Parthenon, saw the Athena statue, and went to the gift shop. We arrived in Oklahoma City, OK and stayed at the Springhill Suites by Marriott. Prior to the trip, both Tammy and I applied for a Marriott Rewards card. The offer allowed up to 50,000 bonus points (each), so we had over 100,000 points and two additional free nights. It was about 15,000 points for a free night, but we also had the two additional free nights to use. The credit card cost nothing to join, so we never had to pay for a hotel on the way home.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012: States of OK, TX, NM
Kevin's notes... We left Oklahoma City around 9am and arrive in Sante Fe around 4pm.
We stayed at the Fairfield Inn. Upon arrival, I caught up on a little work, and then we drove to a restaurant called Bobcat Bite. From its own menu, “Located on Old Las Vegas Highway which at one time was part of historic Route 66, the Bobcat Bite has been a family owned and operated restaurant since 1953. Originally a trading post, then a gun shop, it was made a restaurant…in 1953. Since then it has been operated as a mom and pop diner…Many people ask how our name was derived. Years ago, before I-25 was built, bobcats came down from the hills and were given treats at the back door at what was one of the few local dining spots that were friendly to bobcats at that time.”
Then, back to the hotel to sleep.
Thursday, July 19, 2012: States NM, AZ
Kevin's notes...
After
breakfast at the hotel, we drove from eastern Santa Fe to the western part and
visited El Rancho del las Golondrinas.
Per their website, “El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a living history
museum located on 200 acres in a rural farming valley just south of Santa Fe,
New Mexico. The museum, dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th
and 19th century New Mexico, opened in 1972. Original colonial buildings on the
site date from the early 1700s. In addition, historic buildings from other parts
of northern New Mexico have been reconstructed at Las Golondrinas. Villagers
clothed in the styles of the times show how life was lived on the frontier in
early New Mexico. Special festivals and weekend events offer visitors an
in-depth look into the celebrations, music, dance and many other aspects of
life in the Spanish, Mexican and Territorial periods of the Southwest.”
The ranch is
also the inspiration of one of the American Girl dolls, Josefina. Josefina Montoya® is a girl growing up in New
Mexico in 1824. Ever since Mamá died, Josefina® and her sisters have bravely
met the challenges of the rancho without her. As they watch the new americano
traders arrive from the East, they struggle to hold on to their mother’s
love—and the old ways she taught them. Josefina dreams of becoming a healer
like her Tía Magdalena. Hopeful and caring, she is the star of her story.
After
spending about three hours at the ranch, we drove back to downtown Santa Fe and
ate at the La Fonda restaurant. We then
spent about an hour of so walking around the outdoor shopping “market” area and
then drove to Albuquerque.
Kevin's notes... We left at 8am after breakfast and drove straight home. We arrived by 4:30pm.
We had driven
7,388 miles on the trip, getting 313 gallons for an average of 23.58 mpg. The average cost of gasoline was $3.35 per
gallon, and we spent $1,049.25 on gas for the entire trip.
We also had
visited or driven in 21 of the 48 continental United States.
The actual
Carmandments
When walking
in the church building in Colorado Springs, I was showing Tori, Kimber and
Tavin various things different and similar to our church building in
Temecula. Tavin noticed the sign to one
of the rooms, “Mother’s Room.” I asked
Tavin, “What do they do in the Mother’s room?”
Tavin looked at the sign and with a serious reply said, “I have no
idea.”
The
Carmandments (song)
Lyrics by Kevin and
Tori Draughon
Keep the carmandments
In this there is safety
In this there is
peace
We will be happy
We will be happy
Words from the family
Keep the carmandments
In this there is
definitely peace.
Written by the family
weeks before the trip, and modified upon need during the trip
1.
Thou shalt not fart in the car
2.
Thou shalt only pee and poop at designated pit
stops
3.
Thou shalt not make any loud noises in the car
4.
Thou shalt take all trash out of the car at
every pit stop
5.
Thou shalt put all trash in the car in the trash
bag
6.
Thou shalt not ask “Are we there yet?”
7.
Thou shalt laugh at all of Dad’s corny jokes
8.
Accordingly to rule 49.3.2, Dad has final say in
all Bingo rules
9.
Thou shalt not remove thy shoe when there is a
feet stinking potential
10.
Thou shalt not sing the same songs over and over
again
Funnies
Tammy
announced, “We are going to have a potty & gas stop.”
Tori
replied, “Which type of gas? Fart or gas
for the car?”
I often
announced crossing over the boarder to the different states, “Ladies and
Gentlemen, welcome to…” Upon entering
Tennessee I said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Tennessee.” To which Kaylee replied, “Where?”
On June 29,
2012 we drove from Nauvoo, IL to Madison, AL.
As we were approaching St. Louis, MO, we did some research about the
Gateway Arch in St. Louis and had all the children look for it. We could see it from a distance but wanted to
wait and take pictures when we were closer.
Tori was taking several pictures and then, as we got closer, were taking
pictures when no one else was. It turned
out that Tori was just a little confused, as she was taking pictures on a big
skyscraper (building) and not the actual arch.
On July 2,
2012 we went to Gary’s. Tammy was so
excited to order hush puppies for the kids to try. Some of the meals included a hush puppie, but
Tammy wanted to buy more. I suggested to
just get six but she was adamant and wanted to get 12. So, a few minutes later here comes the
waitress with 12 hushpuppies, each the size of a tennis ball! Well, OK, maybe between the size of a golf
ball and tennis ball, but they were huge.
I think we ate 3 of the 12.
While
swimming at Doug’s house for the July 4th celebration, Kimber was
not happy about the moon that she could see as it grew dark. She said that it was affecting the pool. We are still not sure what that meant.
Before we
saw Ashtyn Kendrick towards the end of the day in Nauvoo on June 27, we had
talked a bit about how her family was going to move to Sweden. After seeing Ashtyn, Tavin asked a rhetorical
question: “This is Sweden?” Oh, cool!”
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