The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 23

[my3princes]

Deb - I say start to plan that western US vacation! One of the best vacations my family ever took was in 1967. My Dad took 6 weeks off and we rented a pretty good sized travel trailer. We took the southern route from PA through the midwest and TX, AZ and NM. Then we headed up the west coast through California (my first Disney Park experience!) and Oregon and Washington. Coming home we went through the norther tier of states.

We saw everything from the Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon to the Redwoods, Crater Lake and Mt. Ranier. There were the Badlands and Custer's Last Stand as well as Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone. So many other stops along the way that I cannot even begin to list here! What a gorgeous country we have!!

It was the most amazingly powerful vacation I have ever taken and I would love to be able to afford to do it again someday. One of the best things about the summer before my Dad died was that he and I sat in their living room for many weekends going through all the pictures from that trip and cataloguing them and talking about the trip. We did not have any idea that he would die that December so I hold those memories very close to my heart. And it is one of the reasons I still try to afford a couple of vacations a year for my family. The "stuff" I had growing up is long forgotten but those trips I took as a child are still fresh in my mind. Over the years we did 4 weeks in Canada and 2 weeks in New England. There were beach trips and vacations in PA. I think I could track our itineraries on a map to this day!

That sounds like a wonderful vacation. We will definitely be heading west at some point though I doubt that we will make a loop of the united states. Nick gets very car sick so it wouldn't be fun in that sense.

I went to Yellowstone when I was in high school. I had an aunt and uncle who lived in Wyoming not too far from there. I accompanied my grandmother out by train (she wouldn't fly). We visited Salt Lake City on that trip, and camped for several days at Yellowstone. The nights were cold (around freezing) in August, but it was a great time. I want to take my kids one day.

It sounds like a lot of the DDA would like to see the West

Elin, that is almost exactly what I want to do Summer 2008! I need to work on dh to use all his vacation time at once (though I think we'll have only 4-5 weeks to use instead of 6) and convince him that we can afford it (if we even can). Since we don't have as much time, I wasn't thinking of going as far south as Texas. I haven't really begun to plan yet, but that is my dream for next July, beginning of August. The only other consideration is the kids. They seem all for it right now, but it would pretty much be their entire summer. Cross country practice starts mid-August, and we don't get out of school until the end of June. It is the summer before Matthew's senior year, so it's almost now or never.

Would you take a camper?

 

[tmfranlk]

Aunt Stell is home from the hospital. They tell her that she is 99% fine and is able to continue her regular life. She got lucky. Thanks for all your thoughts & prayers. I have lots of aunts & uncles. I do not look forward to each passing year. We have been very lucky that we have lost so few of us.

Until my father died in the car accident 8-1/2 years ago, every one of my grandparents decendents who survived birth were still alive including my grandparents. My dad has 12 brothers & sisters, 11 of them married, and 10 of them had children. I have lots & lots of cousins, second cousins, third cousins ... you get the picture. I was very close to all of them growing up. Since losing my father, my grandmother died after having something similar to alzheimers, grandpa died a year or so later from a broken heart (he told us it was just too hard to go on without her), my Aunt Carol died of complications from adult onset diabetes which she had battled for years, and one uncle by marriage died. One of these days, the flood gates are going to open and I will be attending funerals left & right.

My mom has 8 brothers & sisters when you include those that are 1/2. We have lost quite a few on that side but we were not close with them except for my favorite aunts husband who we lost 24 years ago and my grandparents. My grandfather died of old age when I was 16 and my grandmother died when I was 23.

I dread them all getting older. It hit me hard when we heard about Aunt Stell. She is one of those that was special to dad. She was his older sister and there was only one older. They all have had illnesses where they have been in the hospital but very seldom is it anything life threatening. I dread the flood gates.

I'm glad that she is home and doing well. Continuted prayers for her and your uncle.

 

[my3princes]

Logan must be feeling better as he showed up early this morning and was immediately asking to eat. His mother was still home so I told him to go home and eat. If she doesn't need to be at work until 9:30 AM I don't see why I need to feed him.

 

[tmfranlk]

I'd like to, but I haven't had time. I like that they are offering free e-sheets to help explain the program. I hope to research it more soon.

Let me know if you do! I'm thinking about subscribing for a month or two to test them out, then do it again when a trip actually gets close. It looks like a fun tool.

 

[tinknme]

Good morning everyone! It is raining this morning with thunder & lightning, a good day to lay on the couch & sleep.

Elin have a safe trip today

Vicki glad to hear your Aunt is home

Chanon glad to hear your wedding plans are coming along

 

[tinknme]

Becky glad to hear you made your trip safely, love the pictures!

 

[tmfranlk]

Deb - I say start to plan that western US vacation! One of the best vacations my family ever took was in 1967. My Dad took 6 weeks off and we rented a pretty good sized travel trailer. We took the southern route from PA through the midwest and TX, AZ and NM. Then we headed up the west coast through California (my first Disney Park experience!) and Oregon and Washington. Coming home we went through the norther tier of states.

We saw everything from the Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon to the Redwoods, Crater Lake and Mt. Ranier. There were the Badlands and Custer's Last Stand as well as Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone. So many other stops along the way that I cannot even begin to list here! What a gorgeous country we have!!

It was the most amazingly powerful vacation I have ever taken and I would love to be able to afford to do it again someday. One of the best things about the summer before my Dad died was that he and I sat in their living room for many weekends going through all the pictures from that trip and cataloguing them and talking about the trip. We did not have any idea that he would die that December so I hold those memories very close to my heart. And it is one of the reasons I still try to afford a couple of vacations a year for my family. The "stuff" I had growing up is long forgotten but those trips I took as a child are still fresh in my mind. Over the years we did 4 weeks in Canada and 2 weeks in New England. There were beach trips and vacations in PA. I think I could track our itineraries on a map to this day!

That is my dream type of trip. I would so love to be able to travel the country like that!

 

[tmfranlk]

Well, since Terra is still asleep, I think that I'm going to go back out to reading on the porch swing. It is a beautiful morning, but it sounds like we're going to be getting a lot of rain the next day or two so I'm going to go enjoy it.

 

[my3princes]

Becky I'm glad you finally found a new laptop. What did you end up buying? It must be nice to have a fully functioning computer

 

[bethbuchall]

That sounds like a wonderful vacation. We will definitely be heading west at some point though I doubt that we will make a loop of the united states. Nick gets very car sick so it wouldn't be fun in that sense.



It sounds like a lot of the DDA would like to see the West



Would you take a camper?

That's one of the things I haven't worked out yet. We couldn't afford hotels for that long. I was thinking maybe a mix of tent camping and hotels but have the idea of renting a camper in the back of my mind, too. I was hoping to have Matthew help with the driving, though, and I'm not sure that he'll be experienced enough to be behind the wheel of a camper. In fact, I'm not sure that I am.

 

[babytrees]

That is one of the first long trips that Chuck & I want to plan with our camper. We want to go out west and see the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. I camped at Yellowstone as a kid. It was really cool. On the way, we went to a real rodeo and saw wild buffalo in a national park (wow, are they huge - I've seen buffalo raised for the meat and these things were so much bigger). It was a wonderful trip with my family.

thanks for giving me a giggle...I didn't realize there was anything but REAL rodeos!!

If you time a trip out here right...I'll take you to Cheyenne Frontier Days or The National Western Stock Show. If not I am sure we can find quite a few rodeos around here.


I've never seen buffalo raised just for meat except on Ted Turner's ranch and his were just as big as the wild roamers.

 

[babytrees]

I went to Yellowstone when I was in high school. I had an aunt and uncle who lived in Wyoming not too far from there. I accompanied my grandmother out by train (she wouldn't fly). We visited Salt Lake City on that trip, and camped for several days at Yellowstone. The nights were cold (around freezing) in August, but it was a great time. I want to take my kids one day.

Do you all realize that if you come to Yellowstone I get to come and visit????

Yellowstone is about 5/6 hours away from me and Jim would love to go back to that area.

 

[babytrees]

Thanks for the concern everyone! We did end up going to the doctor yesterday afternoon as the eye was still really red and puffy. She did have a small scratch right in the middle of the lens. They gave us some antibiotic eye drops to protect from any germs in rubbing, but she should be as good as new in a day or so.

that's great to hear!!

 

[babytrees]

I got my PassPorter News email this morning and read a really fun tip. I think I'm going to dig out some of my postcards for Terra.

"My family collected post cards from specific rides and places we visited in Walt Disney World. I brought them home and laminated them for my children (ages 3 and 7) to use when they play post office with their wooden mailbox. They can pick a post card and talk about their memories of our trip and help them keep up the excitement for our next visit."
-- contributed by Barrie Y.

We collect postcards anyway...didn't think to laminate!!Thanks for the tip!!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Deb - I say start to plan that western US vacation! One of the best vacations my family ever took was in 1967. My Dad took 6 weeks off and we rented a pretty good sized travel trailer. We took the southern route from PA through the midwest and TX, AZ and NM. Then we headed up the west coast through California (my first Disney Park experience!) and Oregon and Washington. Coming home we went through the norther tier of states.

We saw everything from the Painted Desert and the Grand Canyon to the Redwoods, Crater Lake and Mt. Ranier. There were the Badlands and Custer's Last Stand as well as Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone. So many other stops along the way that I cannot even begin to list here! What a gorgeous country we have!!

It was the most amazingly powerful vacation I have ever taken and I would love to be able to afford to do it again someday. One of the best things about the summer before my Dad died was that he and I sat in their living room for many weekends going through all the pictures from that trip and cataloguing them and talking about the trip. We did not have any idea that he would die that December so I hold those memories very close to my heart. And it is one of the reasons I still try to afford a couple of vacations a year for my family. The "stuff" I had growing up is long forgotten but those trips I took as a child are still fresh in my mind. Over the years we did 4 weeks in Canada and 2 weeks in New England. There were beach trips and vacations in PA. I think I could track our itineraries on a map to this day!

What great memories you have, Elin. And I completely agree with you about traveling and providing that time for memories with your family. I was very fortunate when growing up that we traveled pretty extensively as a family (my dad travels for business, and thus has oodles of frequent flier miles and hotel rewards), and that is something that is important to Jonathan and me to continue (one of the reasons we bought DVD - a built-in vacation). Jonathan didn't have the same experience growing up (they only ever went to visit family a state or so west/east), and he now loves to travel.

for your travels today.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I'd like to, but I haven't had time. I like that they are offering free e-sheets to help explain the program. I hope to research it more soon.

I haven't either yet, but I find it intriguing. I will definitely be looking at the freebies to see if it's likely worth it.

Although I usually spare no expense when it comes to WDW trip planning...



And Marci, that weather last night was scary! We had an event for work last night that was supposed to be on a roof-top patio in downtown. Needless to say, we had to be squeezed into another area of the restaurant along with 2 other large parties, and it was not ideal. Driving home at about 9 p.m. the wind was so incredibly strong! I'm worried about what the rest of today might bring - I hate thinking of my dog at home alone if there is severe weather.

 

[babytrees]

So ends my morning P3.

Vicki...glad to hear Aunt Stell is on her feet!!

Elin-hope your travels are safe today. I had to print out the obit. but what a beautiful lady and tribute.

Robyn-have a great weekend....hopefully you can find time to relax.

We bought a bigger tent on Wednesday because we have outgrown ours...didn't take long. They are on sale at Costco right now...for a great price. For those who are thinking of coming west...I can help plan. Hotels in WY aren't that bad price wise if you want to split outside and inside sleeping arrangements.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Vicki - so glad to hear that your Aunt Stell is doing so much better!

Chanon - I agree with Heidi - do what you want to do for your wedding!

All of the talk of visiting Yellowstone sounds fun! I would like to see it someday, although I'm not much of a camping girl.

for those not feeling well, traveling, or just being pulled in 20 different directions. This week has been a doozy - I'm so glad it's Friday! (although this weekend will likely be crazy, too!)

Have a great one!

 

[bear74]

ladies we are under a tornado warning prayers needed.

 

[bear74]

The talk with our landlord went pretty good this morning. I think by May 1st we will be able to call ourselves homeowners

He offered us a price without getting the house appraised & even if we decide to get the house appraised & it is more, he will still only take what he offered today. So now we need to decide whether to spend the money on an appraisel or not. Gary & I are both sure the house will not appraise for any less than his offer.

Before we moved in he had totally gutted the house & remodeled. Of course after us living here for almost 4 years you can't tell (just kidding)

I called our insurance to see what it would cost to insure if we buy & I am waiting for a call back. I know it will be more than what we pay for renters, but I would like to know beforehand. We also have to figure in property taxes, which hopefully is not much.

So that is where we stand right now.

Congrats on the house.