RVing is a great lifestyle and we expound on the virtues but must admit to some noticeable shortcomings – one being not often in close proximity to family. Seeing grand kids only on occasion is not desirable but a given with our lifestyle. To make up for this shortcoming we fortuned upon an opportunity to take Marisa and Sam, daughter and son of our Maryland kids to Alabama for the 2nd birthday of Braelyn, the daughter of our Alabama kids. All our grand kids together at one time! What a treat this seven day trip was.
Marisa and Sam said good-by to their Mom and Dad with little fanfare and camped in their sleeping bags on the living room floor of the RV at Tuckahoe State Park in Denton MD. We woke before light on Tuesday, dressed, and departed for an 850 mile journey to McCalla Alabama. Anticipated travel problems were soon forgotten as song filled CDs, and DVDs appropriate for these youngsters kept them entertained. Frequent rest stops, play stops, and restroom stops (some with little notice) broke the monotony of 65mph cruising down the interstates. Three and 4 year olds find little excitement in the majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains but found comparable joy in seeing great tractor trailer trucks, and motorcycles pass by. Bridges and overpasses and even signs were recognized and became objects of attention that contributed to the experience.
The mid-way overnight stop at a motel was interesting and after sleeping in on Thursday morning we continued on for the second half of the journey. Our planned stop at the aquarium in Chattanooga was one of the many highlights of the trip.
The 3D I-MAX movie on Sea Creatures was awesome. The schools of fish and close up encounters with pre-historic marine reptiles will not soon be forgotten. Sandi and I were amused as the two kids reached to touch the smaller creatures and ducked from the attacks of the larger. Seeing the impending approach of any of the larger predators and sharks would bring on a, “This is not good!” comment from Sam. How could Sandi and I not be entertained?
After the movie, tours of the two buildings let us watch the two youngsters have encounters with butterflies, stingrays, sharks, live Search for Nemo characters, penguins, and turtles. The aquatic life entertained the kids and the enthusiasm and amazement of the kids entertained us grandparents.
We continued on to Alabama for a fun reunion with Aunt Jayme, Uncle Chris, and cousin Braelyn. The abundance of new toys, albeit most for a 2 year old, excited and captivated the attention of the young travelers. The night was spent with the three youngsters sleeping in one bedroom.
Friday became a bit of a challenge as an asthma attack and medication complexities made for a trying day but that passed over night and all were in rare form for the birthday celebration on Saturday. A huge air filled castle that became a trampoline like activity kept our grand kinds, other cousins, and the entire neighborhood going. If that was not enough, sidewalk painting, squirt-gun battles, bubble blowing, and bike riding on the nearly empty street consumed interests and time. Food was great and night time finally overtook the youngsters—sleep came quickly.
Sunday was just time for relaxing and visiting and preparing for the return trip. Our Monday morning departure brought and end to the visit but not an end to the adventure. Two days of traveling with the frequent necessary stops, countless CDs and DVDs and several games of “Cows in the Graveyard”, another hotel stop and finally a most joyous reunion with Mom and Dad. Although there was seldom any evidence of homesickness during the trip, the reunion with parents was loud and exciting.
The trip was over, the memories will last and Sandi and I are ready to take advantage of the next opportunity to go off on and adventure with the grandkids.
Aren’t they great?!
Marisa and Sam said good-by to their Mom and Dad with little fanfare and camped in their sleeping bags on the living room floor of the RV at Tuckahoe State Park in Denton MD. We woke before light on Tuesday, dressed, and departed for an 850 mile journey to McCalla Alabama. Anticipated travel problems were soon forgotten as song filled CDs, and DVDs appropriate for these youngsters kept them entertained. Frequent rest stops, play stops, and restroom stops (some with little notice) broke the monotony of 65mph cruising down the interstates. Three and 4 year olds find little excitement in the majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains but found comparable joy in seeing great tractor trailer trucks, and motorcycles pass by. Bridges and overpasses and even signs were recognized and became objects of attention that contributed to the experience.
The mid-way overnight stop at a motel was interesting and after sleeping in on Thursday morning we continued on for the second half of the journey. Our planned stop at the aquarium in Chattanooga was one of the many highlights of the trip.
The 3D I-MAX movie on Sea Creatures was awesome. The schools of fish and close up encounters with pre-historic marine reptiles will not soon be forgotten. Sandi and I were amused as the two kids reached to touch the smaller creatures and ducked from the attacks of the larger. Seeing the impending approach of any of the larger predators and sharks would bring on a, “This is not good!” comment from Sam. How could Sandi and I not be entertained?After the movie, tours of the two buildings let us watch the two youngsters have encounters with butterflies, stingrays, sharks, live Search for Nemo characters, penguins, and turtles. The aquatic life entertained the kids and the enthusiasm and amazement of the kids entertained us grandparents.
We continued on to Alabama for a fun reunion with Aunt Jayme, Uncle Chris, and cousin Braelyn. The abundance of new toys, albeit most for a 2 year old, excited and captivated the attention of the young travelers. The night was spent with the three youngsters sleeping in one bedroom.
Friday became a bit of a challenge as an asthma attack and medication complexities made for a trying day but that passed over night and all were in rare form for the birthday celebration on Saturday. A huge air filled castle that became a trampoline like activity kept our grand kinds, other cousins, and the entire neighborhood going. If that was not enough, sidewalk painting, squirt-gun battles, bubble blowing, and bike riding on the nearly empty street consumed interests and time. Food was great and night time finally overtook the youngsters—sleep came quickly.
Sunday was just time for relaxing and visiting and preparing for the return trip. Our Monday morning departure brought and end to the visit but not an end to the adventure. Two days of traveling with the frequent necessary stops, countless CDs and DVDs and several games of “Cows in the Graveyard”, another hotel stop and finally a most joyous reunion with Mom and Dad. Although there was seldom any evidence of homesickness during the trip, the reunion with parents was loud and exciting.
The trip was over, the memories will last and Sandi and I are ready to take advantage of the next opportunity to go off on and adventure with the grandkids.
Aren’t they great?!
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