I must say Day Five was LOOOOOOONG and felt even longer.
Dad started driving early in the morning. It was super foggy, and the fog let up for short bursts before getting heavy again.
We located the K-LOVE station in the area (a Christian station with "positive and encouraging" programming). My dad used to be a manager for another Christian station and was interested when he heard K-LOVE was in the middle of their support drive (Christian radio is typically supported by listeners' donations/pledges throughout the year).
We made it into Arkansas within 2 hours. There was some construction that slowed us down a lot. We finally stopped near Little Rock for lunch at Cracker Barrell. It was nice. I picked up a Mad Libs and we each completed one during dinner. It was HILARIOUS. My sister isn't known for her grasp of grammatical terms.
After lunch, I sat in the rocking chair on the front porch and just rocked for a few minutes while waiting for Elise and Dad in the store. When they all came out, it was decided that we would drive through to Atlanta rather than staying in Chattanooga as planned the night before.
Dad continued to drive most of the day. We stopped for dinner just north of Chattanooga at this restaurant called Davy Crockett roadhouse. It was the best dinner service I have ever had. Our server, Laura, took great care of us. Elise had the all you can eat tacos from the tavern. That was funny. Dad had a steak and I had a ground sirloin burger that was just out of this world.
I took over the wheel after that, and we drove home. We finally pulled into home about 1 am.
Jon woke up early and took Elise back up to Toccoa for 2 days of school before her fall break.
And now I'm home.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Day Four
Day Four started a little later than planned because Christie May's (a restaurant with wonderful orange spice tea) opened at 7 am. Elise and I went into Christie May's and bought all the bags of orange spice tea they had, and brought back 3 to-go cups of tea for the road. Elise took a few sips of tea and decided it was too much of a "kick" and passed it on to my dad. Dad and I were loving every sip of our orange spice tea.
We made it out east through the Sandia Mountains into Edgewood, NM, where we stopped at the McDonald's for breakfast. Dad and Elise had green chile breakfast burritos, and I had a sausage biscuit (no green chiles this time).
We drove through the rest of New Mexico and the panhandle of Texas. After what seemed like a long time, we finally made it into Oklahoma. Once we reached Oklahoma City, we stopped at a Sonic with a DINE IN area. It was funny. They had phones you picked up to place your order, but the speaker and the microphone were both located in the mouthpiece. I have funny pictures of that, too, but the photo uploader is still malfunctioning. I may upload these pics in Shutterfly and add the link later.
We spent about an hour with my best friend from college, Cyndi, and her son Aidan. SO much fun. :) When Cyndi's husband Julian arrived, he informed us the best place to stay for the night was either 20 minutes away, or 2 1/2 hours down the road into Arkansas. So we stayed 20 minutes away.
It was AWESOME. The first hotel we tried was full, but the Holiday Inn Exress across the street was fabulous! The lady behind the counter was just hilarious and friendly. We asked about vacancy, but only smoking was left available. She gave us the key to a 2 room suite to check out. When we inquired about the price, she asked if we had AAA or anything she could give us a discount for. I pulled out my AAA card and she gave us a 2 room suite for $125 - 1 room with a king bed, a closet and a door, and the other room had the kitchenette, a couch, 2 queen beds, a closet and a desk. It was NICE. Elise and I didn't have to share a bed.
Elise and I ran out to Chili's for dinner and brought back dinner for Dad. We stopped at Wal-Mart for a few items, and Elise and I headed directly to the 2/$10 DVD bin. It was fun.
Then I crawled into my very own bed and tried to sleep. It was nice to stretch out for sure.
One more day to write about, I promise it's on its way.
We made it out east through the Sandia Mountains into Edgewood, NM, where we stopped at the McDonald's for breakfast. Dad and Elise had green chile breakfast burritos, and I had a sausage biscuit (no green chiles this time).
We drove through the rest of New Mexico and the panhandle of Texas. After what seemed like a long time, we finally made it into Oklahoma. Once we reached Oklahoma City, we stopped at a Sonic with a DINE IN area. It was funny. They had phones you picked up to place your order, but the speaker and the microphone were both located in the mouthpiece. I have funny pictures of that, too, but the photo uploader is still malfunctioning. I may upload these pics in Shutterfly and add the link later.
We spent about an hour with my best friend from college, Cyndi, and her son Aidan. SO much fun. :) When Cyndi's husband Julian arrived, he informed us the best place to stay for the night was either 20 minutes away, or 2 1/2 hours down the road into Arkansas. So we stayed 20 minutes away.
It was AWESOME. The first hotel we tried was full, but the Holiday Inn Exress across the street was fabulous! The lady behind the counter was just hilarious and friendly. We asked about vacancy, but only smoking was left available. She gave us the key to a 2 room suite to check out. When we inquired about the price, she asked if we had AAA or anything she could give us a discount for. I pulled out my AAA card and she gave us a 2 room suite for $125 - 1 room with a king bed, a closet and a door, and the other room had the kitchenette, a couch, 2 queen beds, a closet and a desk. It was NICE. Elise and I didn't have to share a bed.
Elise and I ran out to Chili's for dinner and brought back dinner for Dad. We stopped at Wal-Mart for a few items, and Elise and I headed directly to the 2/$10 DVD bin. It was fun.
Then I crawled into my very own bed and tried to sleep. It was nice to stretch out for sure.
One more day to write about, I promise it's on its way.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Day Three
Day Three started EARLY.
We woke up at 5 am. Then we all got ready and went downstairs to meet the Balloon Fiesta shuttle guy at 6 am. The shuttle took us directly into the fair, in the dark. We all piled out of the van. The Dawn Patrol was just warming up. The Dawn Patrol is a group of balloons that lifts off before sunrise to check out the wind conditions in the phenomenon known as "the box".
The photo uploader is not working right now, so I'll try to update with pictures tomorrow.
Then we walked around the park as more balloons prepared for the "Final Ascension" - the last mass ascension of balloons for the Fiesta. It was FUN. Elise and I met a cute little couple from Illinois, and I was able to take an awesome picture of them on their new digital camera. It was cute.
We also collected a few Balloon trading cards. It's like baseball cards, but for the balloons. It has stats, pictures, etc. One balloon pilot even signed the card. Priceless.
There were also green chile breakfast burritos to consume and of course booths to visit.
We came back to the hotel and headed up to our room to get ready for the rest of our day.
We headed to Old Towne, which was just BEAUTIFUL!
And then we went up to Rio Rancho and had the yummiest New Mexico food EVER - Seferino's. We couldn't even complete sentences we were in such awe of the food. I highly recommend it!!
Next, we headed out on a journey for Hatch Green Chile. This is special New Mexico green chile that is not easily obtained outside of the state. Albertson's was $1.69/4 oz can. yikes! Next we headed to Smith's grocery store. We were looking at the chile and disappointed at the $1.49/4 oz can when a random lady urged me to check out the bargain bin at the front of the store. I kinda pushed her away politely, and she INSISTED I go check it out. So I went and checked it out. Nope, not Hatch...but wait! It's distributed by Hatch - it's their off-brand green chile. and the price you ask... Hold your breath... 3 cans (4 oz each)....for ONE DOLLAR. WHAT??? I turned around to thank the lady and she was gone. My sister and I jokingly refer to her as our green chile angel. We ended up buying 180 cans for $60. I have a picture of our cart full of 4 oz cans, in neat, tidy 3 can high piles - Amy style for sure. :)
We were excited until we realized we couldn't fit it all in my car with all our luggage, etc. We wanted to ship it back, but New Mexico is one of the few places left that almost everything closes down on Sundays. Some restaurants and most grocery stores and gas stations are open, but nothing else.
While we're pondering this, my dad stops at The Smokehouse to see if they vacuum seal their brisket for their catering, and if we could buy some if they did. They don't. We were sad. But my dad did buy Farmer's Brothers Coffee and Tea. This is the stuff my mom brewed my whole childhood. We didn't have Starbucks or Peet's...just what my mom brewed. LOVE it.
After this, we drove to the Cottonwood mall, where Elise met up with her best friend from church long ago, Johanna. Then it hit us, we could pay Johanna to ship the chile to us, and she agreed. YAY!!! Oh happy day!
We then drove to Dion's to pick up dressing and lunch for the next day. Their greek dressing is beyond description. I just can't begin to tell you. And their ranch is good. Thousand Island, too. And their bleu cheese, well, haven't tried it yet, so I had to buy a bottle and see.
We drove back to the hotel and put the dressing on ice. The three of us then went to the hot tub for some relaxation. No whirlpool jets, just hot water in a tub with circulating water. Whatever. We needed the heat, and my knee needed the relaxation.
When we got back to the room, the sandwiches were calling our name, so we ate those for dinner. SO good. We were drooling. Really, we were!
Then was nighty night time.
I spent most of the night tossing and turning, unable to breathe, unable to move. It was scary to be honest. At one point I was ready to tell my dad to take me to the hospital down the street. I realized later that I was probably reacting to one of the molds in the bathroom at that hotel. (I don't recommend that hotel, but for $89/night, especially during the balloon fiesta, we still got a good deal).
I was exhausted the next morning though!
I have to type about that later because apparently my typing is keeping Elise awake.
We woke up at 5 am. Then we all got ready and went downstairs to meet the Balloon Fiesta shuttle guy at 6 am. The shuttle took us directly into the fair, in the dark. We all piled out of the van. The Dawn Patrol was just warming up. The Dawn Patrol is a group of balloons that lifts off before sunrise to check out the wind conditions in the phenomenon known as "the box".
The photo uploader is not working right now, so I'll try to update with pictures tomorrow.
Then we walked around the park as more balloons prepared for the "Final Ascension" - the last mass ascension of balloons for the Fiesta. It was FUN. Elise and I met a cute little couple from Illinois, and I was able to take an awesome picture of them on their new digital camera. It was cute.
We also collected a few Balloon trading cards. It's like baseball cards, but for the balloons. It has stats, pictures, etc. One balloon pilot even signed the card. Priceless.
There were also green chile breakfast burritos to consume and of course booths to visit.
We came back to the hotel and headed up to our room to get ready for the rest of our day.
We headed to Old Towne, which was just BEAUTIFUL!
And then we went up to Rio Rancho and had the yummiest New Mexico food EVER - Seferino's. We couldn't even complete sentences we were in such awe of the food. I highly recommend it!!
Next, we headed out on a journey for Hatch Green Chile. This is special New Mexico green chile that is not easily obtained outside of the state. Albertson's was $1.69/4 oz can. yikes! Next we headed to Smith's grocery store. We were looking at the chile and disappointed at the $1.49/4 oz can when a random lady urged me to check out the bargain bin at the front of the store. I kinda pushed her away politely, and she INSISTED I go check it out. So I went and checked it out. Nope, not Hatch...but wait! It's distributed by Hatch - it's their off-brand green chile. and the price you ask... Hold your breath... 3 cans (4 oz each)....for ONE DOLLAR. WHAT??? I turned around to thank the lady and she was gone. My sister and I jokingly refer to her as our green chile angel. We ended up buying 180 cans for $60. I have a picture of our cart full of 4 oz cans, in neat, tidy 3 can high piles - Amy style for sure. :)
We were excited until we realized we couldn't fit it all in my car with all our luggage, etc. We wanted to ship it back, but New Mexico is one of the few places left that almost everything closes down on Sundays. Some restaurants and most grocery stores and gas stations are open, but nothing else.
While we're pondering this, my dad stops at The Smokehouse to see if they vacuum seal their brisket for their catering, and if we could buy some if they did. They don't. We were sad. But my dad did buy Farmer's Brothers Coffee and Tea. This is the stuff my mom brewed my whole childhood. We didn't have Starbucks or Peet's...just what my mom brewed. LOVE it.
After this, we drove to the Cottonwood mall, where Elise met up with her best friend from church long ago, Johanna. Then it hit us, we could pay Johanna to ship the chile to us, and she agreed. YAY!!! Oh happy day!
We then drove to Dion's to pick up dressing and lunch for the next day. Their greek dressing is beyond description. I just can't begin to tell you. And their ranch is good. Thousand Island, too. And their bleu cheese, well, haven't tried it yet, so I had to buy a bottle and see.
We drove back to the hotel and put the dressing on ice. The three of us then went to the hot tub for some relaxation. No whirlpool jets, just hot water in a tub with circulating water. Whatever. We needed the heat, and my knee needed the relaxation.
When we got back to the room, the sandwiches were calling our name, so we ate those for dinner. SO good. We were drooling. Really, we were!
Then was nighty night time.
I spent most of the night tossing and turning, unable to breathe, unable to move. It was scary to be honest. At one point I was ready to tell my dad to take me to the hospital down the street. I realized later that I was probably reacting to one of the molds in the bathroom at that hotel. (I don't recommend that hotel, but for $89/night, especially during the balloon fiesta, we still got a good deal).
I was exhausted the next morning though!
I have to type about that later because apparently my typing is keeping Elise awake.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Day Two
Day Two was so much better driving conditions than Day One!
AND I didn't have to drive. WOOHOO! (Don't get me wrong, I love to drive, but after Day One, I needed a break!!)
We slept in a little, packed the car and hit the road around 8:30 am. The day seemed to drag on at times, but for the most part things went well. We saw the really cool windmills... 
AND I didn't have to drive. WOOHOO! (Don't get me wrong, I love to drive, but after Day One, I needed a break!!)
We slept in a little, packed the car and hit the road around 8:30 am. The day seemed to drag on at times, but for the most part things went well. We saw the really cool windmills...
We even had our own church service since we knew Day Three would be too busy to find a church in Albuquerque. I had a CD from Spring Hills from a Sunday I had missed. We sang and listened and it was good.
We stopped for lunch and had some McDonald's. We were going to fill up with gas, until we saw the price at $3.55!!!!!! WHAT THE?????????? So we drove to the next exit, where we saw an advertisement for Pilot gas at $2.89. We kept driving. Until the gas light came on two minutes later. DOH! We kept driving, but after passing 2 exits without gas stations, we were forced to do a turn at the next exit without a gas station, and drive back to the last gas station we passed...and we gulped as we paid the $3.69/gal. We discussed this and decided it was the inspiration for the term "Highway Robbery".
We stopped for lunch and had some McDonald's. We were going to fill up with gas, until we saw the price at $3.55!!!!!! WHAT THE?????????? So we drove to the next exit, where we saw an advertisement for Pilot gas at $2.89. We kept driving. Until the gas light came on two minutes later. DOH! We kept driving, but after passing 2 exits without gas stations, we were forced to do a turn at the next exit without a gas station, and drive back to the last gas station we passed...and we gulped as we paid the $3.69/gal. We discussed this and decided it was the inspiration for the term "Highway Robbery".
We FINALLY crossed the border into Arizona. And we drove through Arizona.
Then we finally got into Gallup, where my sister showed us her lack of experience in defensive driving (that's all I'm saying because the car was tense for a wee bit). We stopped for gas in Grants, and grabbed dinner at Blake's Lottaburger. The bag cracked me UP. It said "If you are what you eat, you are AWESOME!".
We pulled into Albuquerque, got to our hotel, and was able to get ready for bed with eyes open.
Yay! More about Albuquerque in Day Three's post tomorrow. Expect some AWESOME photos!!!!
Yay! More about Albuquerque in Day Three's post tomorrow. Expect some AWESOME photos!!!!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Day One
So I am writing about Day One at the end of Day Two - but it was such a day that when we FINALLY got to a hotel room, I crawled right into bed with an ice pack and called it a day!!
It started off with some teary-eyed goodbyes with my California Family, in the pouring rain. How appropriate. Then I needed to stop by and say goodbye to a dear dear friend who had just lost a dear friend to cancer. What a crappy day overall for her!
Then I drove into the city...well...as I drove out of Santa Rosa, I was suddenly stuck in what I now refer to as "pumpkin patch phenomenon" - when every one and their cousin who was raised in the area still has to slow down to 2 mph to look at the dang pumpkin patch. I cannot even tell you how much time was wasted there!!
Then the rain started POURING. As I drove through Marin, the rain was actually collecting in puddles. Ick. And at times I could only see the headlights in front of me, and I tried my hardest to follow those lights! I was stressed out, and stopped at the McDonald's in Mill Valley for a little breather, as my sister and Dad's flight was delayed, and I just needed to catch my breath. As I crossed th Golden Gate for the last time, I realized I could barely see the orange of the bridge, and bringing Elise and Dad out here would be pointless. I made it to the airport with some time to share and almost slipped in the entrance to the baggage claim - is that really surprising? Probably not. Most of you are probably chuckling or rolling your eyes about now.
I collect Elise, Dad, a backpack, laptop and one suitcase, and then we improvised our own Golden Gate pictures:
Then we hit the road. And the rain didn't stop. I drove through a puddle that literally caused the wave to go over the top of my car. SCARY. So we drive, and we drive, in Friday afternoon rush hour, and my sister and I start jamming out to some of the music playing on the radio, on my cds, anything. This is the result:
It started off with some teary-eyed goodbyes with my California Family, in the pouring rain. How appropriate. Then I needed to stop by and say goodbye to a dear dear friend who had just lost a dear friend to cancer. What a crappy day overall for her!
Then I drove into the city...well...as I drove out of Santa Rosa, I was suddenly stuck in what I now refer to as "pumpkin patch phenomenon" - when every one and their cousin who was raised in the area still has to slow down to 2 mph to look at the dang pumpkin patch. I cannot even tell you how much time was wasted there!!
Then the rain started POURING. As I drove through Marin, the rain was actually collecting in puddles. Ick. And at times I could only see the headlights in front of me, and I tried my hardest to follow those lights! I was stressed out, and stopped at the McDonald's in Mill Valley for a little breather, as my sister and Dad's flight was delayed, and I just needed to catch my breath. As I crossed th Golden Gate for the last time, I realized I could barely see the orange of the bridge, and bringing Elise and Dad out here would be pointless. I made it to the airport with some time to share and almost slipped in the entrance to the baggage claim - is that really surprising? Probably not. Most of you are probably chuckling or rolling your eyes about now.
I collect Elise, Dad, a backpack, laptop and one suitcase, and then we improvised our own Golden Gate pictures:
Then we hit the road. And the rain didn't stop. I drove through a puddle that literally caused the wave to go over the top of my car. SCARY. So we drive, and we drive, in Friday afternoon rush hour, and my sister and I start jamming out to some of the music playing on the radio, on my cds, anything. This is the result:
After 40 miles in 2 hours, we decided to stop and eat a bite at Mimi's Cafe. If you have not been there before, you are missing out on a LOT. We all ordered the petite salad and soup - and it came with a muffin bigger than your neighbor's gossiping mouth, and some kind of bread and fruit cake, then the cup of YUMMY soup, and then the tossed (or not, depending on how you request it) salad. But we saved room for this really yummy Harvest Peach Upsidedown cake that was more like a harvest peach shortcake a la mode with caramel drizzle. YUMMY.
Back on the road and into the fog and consistent rain fall. We were hoping to make it to Bakersfield in those conditions. We arrive in Bakersfield at 10:30 pm, ecstatic and hoping for a nice bed to lay our heads on...and there was no room in the inn....or the hotel...or the motel...or the lodge...nowhere. So we kept driving...and driving...and driving...until we finally landed in Tapechova (or something similar in spelling) where they only had 1 room left and it was smoking. I said, I'll take it! I've got Febreeze! Yes, I really did say that to the front desk lady, but it was midnight, my knee was asleep it was in so much pain, my eyes were blood shot, and she didn't really bat an eyelid.
We crawled up to the room, sprayed it a few times, crawled into jammies and fell into bed...I had an ice bag on my knee, but was finally able to sleep.
Day 2 should be posted tomorrow sometime. My computer is taking forever to upload the karaoke shot, so if it isn't working, I'll try to fix it later. It's 10 pm, we were on the road since 8:30 am, and I am a wee bit tired, but we're getting ready at 6 am for the balloon fiesta!!! (We missed the balloon glow tonight, but more on that later).
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Introduction
Hello, all my dear friends!
I am starting this blog to report on each day's festivities while my dad, Elise and I drive from Santa Rosa, CA to Atlanta, GA.
Feel free to come back often and read all about it.
Yours truly,
Amy
I am starting this blog to report on each day's festivities while my dad, Elise and I drive from Santa Rosa, CA to Atlanta, GA.
Feel free to come back often and read all about it.
Yours truly,
Amy
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