Galloping to Gallup....

6am came early, and we quickly packed up, battened down the hatches (literally), and then hit the road. Before getting on the freeway, we sniffed out the closest donut store, and grabbed a bit of breakfast. When on the West Coast, we are a little more willing to find donuts, knowing that as soon as we get a few hundred miles east, there will not be a decent donut to be found, as all the small shops have been driven out of business by the evil conglomerate, Dunkin’ Donuts. Those of you who actually like DD, please know that you have been lied to and cheated. This is a real donut, and it was made fresh that morning, on location:


Thomas, that was also your donut, since we know you like sprinkles. The picture is going to be the best we can do at the moment.

In our quest to take the shortest and fastest route East, we headed for Tehachipi Pass, and through the Mojave desert.

As has become tradition, we took a picture of Hector Road:


Because of how early we were up, I took a nap, which lasted about four hours. This was my exact view when I woke up. Bex scared me to death!


Not quite sure what went on while I was sleeping, but when I awoke, this is what was going on in the back. Looks like fun!


I would love to show you pictures of all the interesting and beautiful views we saw today, but that would take too long. So, I will give you the one shot that sums all the gorgeous scenery:


Yep, that pretty much says it all.

Despite the lack of view, there were a few other items of interest. Like this flowering red plant, of which Matthew said 15 times to mention that he took the photo, and I told him that because of his pestering I wouldn’t mention him, so I am not….


We also saw the Arizona border. Nic, as usual, stretched into the front of the RV, so he could claim to be the first in the state:


Right over the Arizona border the gas priced dropped by a $1 a gallon, there was much rejoicing in the wallet of my father:


We also saw a tank, and the boys wanted to see if they would trade us for the RV and boat:


I drove the mid-day shift, since Thomas isn’t here. (I miss you THOMAS!!!!!!!) This is pretty much what I saw, for 300 some miles:


Mom wanted me to put a photo of myself up, despite my protests that as the writer, I was not required to do so. Of course, as the writer, you can do anything you want to the photos, just before posting them:


A rare shot of Dad, with little Miss Sara:


Sara does find ways to amuse herself, during the long drives:


By the end of the day we made it across all of Arizona:


In the town of Gallop, where claimed he had an abnormally strange desire to conduct a survey of some type, we ate at a Mexican restaurant, knowing that anywhere East of New Mexico, it might be hard to find good Mexican. (Chevy’s doesn’t count….)

They have BEAUTIFUL sunsets in this part of the world:


For the night, we are bedding down at our old faithful. When you really think about it, Wal-Mart is really the only store the United States actually needs, since you can get everything there! Then we would never have trouble finding a place to park the RV….


Tomorrow, we are going to see if we can make it past Oklahoma City, which is about 700 miles away!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!

With the commencement of the newest Hector Family Road Trip, which we have christened “God Bless the Broken Road ‘09” (which just happens to be the theme song we have chosen for the trip), I have been reassigned to my normal place as the trip chronicler. Hopefully we can manage to keep this up to date, and that will mean more photos, with less wordiness. My apologies to those one or two people who like reading the words….

Brief outline of today: It was necessary for me to work this week, so I came down to the Valley on Monday, while the rest of “La Familia” stayed home and finished the packing of our 65’ RV/Sailboat combo. The plan was that they would leave a bit after dad got home from work, at 10am, but you all know that was never going to happen! All the last minute stuff was packed, and they headed out at 4pm! Thomas will not be joining us until later on in the trip, since he has to work, but he will fly out and meet us on the road, in about two weeks. Thomas, we miss you already!!!!!

Picking me up in Modesto, we bade farewell to Grandma, who so kindly snapped this photograph for us right before we drove off:

The trip does not start until all crew members are aboard, so the trip officially started at 5:45pm. Our first stop? J.C. Penny’s of course. Don’t all people start their vacations there?

So, we are now driving down our favorite highway: Hwy. 99. We have no idea where we are staying tonight, Nic is already complaining about being hungry, dad is behind the wheel, and the radio is blasting country music, all is normal…. So, sit back, and enjoy the reading, I’ll do my best to keep it interesting; that is never hard in this family….

Alright, I am back with part two of the first day. Because of our late start we didn’t get very far. Restaurants are a big part of our trips, and we often remember towns we visited, just from where we ate. This time, we went to Farnici’s, in Chowchilla, CA. Food was ok, but the service was not great, with Nic and I performing the water glass filling duties. The boy’s gave it a 4.5 out of 10.

For the night, we are bedding down on the side of the road, near a hospital. We got the boat all ready for sleeping, and then headed for the hospital:

This was taken after sneaking into the emergency room to use the restroom:

Matt and I just walked a couple of blocks to the local Denny's, to post this. We love wi-fi!!!

That brings us up to date. We are going to be up early tomorrow, and seeing how many miles we can travel in a day….

Later.

Logged by: BFH

Be Ye Reformed....

Well, every time I have begun to write this post, my time has been short, and it did not get done. (Sorry Tiffany, I fear I have been trying your unlimited patience again....) I am now sitting down, with the determination that nothing will distract me! Of course, determinations really mean nothing if something comes up, but hope is worth nine tenths of the effort.

Reformation Day 2008!!!!!! I could spend a large amount of time describing all of the various wonderful moments, or I could fall back on the tried and true method of of pictures with captions. I'll choose the latter option...


The forecast of the day was a 50% chance of rain; as you can see, we were on the good side of the 50%!


As director of the event, I spent a large amount of time managing all of the wonderful workers. So, I was often looking over my minions.

Everyone pitched in, even the leadership. Wrapping 200 sets of sliverware is a big job!


My delightfully cute sister, coordinating decor.


I would love to know what this group is looking at!

Three lovely ladies, looking absolutely gorgeous in their gowns.

One of the events consisted of instructional booths, with crafts based on parts of Puritan life. Mrs. Ernst ran the medicinal booth, and looks very fetching in a coif...

A perfect picture of what Sacajawea must have looked like.

"Say what?" (Don't you just love that arched eyebrow?)

Put two boys in the same place with sharpened objects, and there is only one result. Nic and JP are no exception.

Master Walker, looking every bit the English gentleman.

Who said the Indians and the Pilgrims didn't get along?


In addition to the booths, we had the Spectator Sports. This is Brian, I see the Olympics in his future. Just look at that form!


Elder Langley had a grand time cheering on the runners! I can still hear faint echos of his "Huzzah!".

Two pillows, a wooden beam, and a screaming crowd. The men couldn't resist!


Fun with Pringles.

This is hard core costuming. All of the boys in the family grew their hair out and shaved for Indian mohawks.

My boss. Maybe by posting his photo on my blog, I'll get a raise!

"Kilroy was here!"


Got to love the shoes....



Squanto would be proud!


I still can't figure out why this fashion style died out....



How do you say "Three Amigos" in Pilgrim?

The wonderful kitchen crew! We ate really well. Tri-tip, scalloped potatoes, salad, corn on the cob, bread, and pie!!!!! I am salivating just thinking back on it.....

One of the crowning glories of the night was the Dramatic Presentation. Written by Mrs. Walker, it centered around the experiences of the Pilgrims, and their journey to Plimouth (Yes, that is the old style spelling). It was absolutely amazing! We have quite a few talented actors in our church. Kendrick brothers, you better watch your back!


During our Dramatic Presentation, Kev was the barrel boy....

We really had a great time, and are already planning the next one. I have been begged to take the planning of next year, but I found out that this was a lot of work!!!! We shall see....

One last photo to leave you with:

"Y'all come back next year!"

Transcribed by BFH