On the
Road Again!
It’s been a long while since anyone has posted on the Hector Cord Blog. We’ve just been very busy with daily life – holidays, church, school, wisdom teeth, first grandbaby’s first birthday and the anticipated arrival of grandbaby number 2 in the next month or so.
These changes have meant that our travelin’ days in the RV are numbered. Our family
is slowly changing – the children are growing up and beginning their own families. They are still a huge part of our lives, but not under our roof. For example: http://www.asimplerenaissance.blogspot.com/
But now
that another May is almost upon us, we once again have an opportunity to enjoy
the fellowship of our sister churches from around the country.
After much deliberation, the family still at home agreed that we would make the trek again, this time to the Nebraska/Iowa area for this year’s Presbytery meeting. The players would include Dad and Mom, the seven at home Hectors – ages 12 to 20, plus 2 additional friends, Knox and Morgen, who will meet up with the rest of their own jet-set family in Iowa. Brave, brave friends!
The first step in travel preparations is always servicing the RV and then packing. Unfortunately, we did not know until the very last day whether we would be able to take our RV, so plan B for the trip included taking the van and a utility trailer. The RV mechanic finally told us “no” and we decided the van was our mode of transportation. Not ideal but still doable.
God, however had other plans. We were blessed by Knox and Morgen’s Aunt and Uncle who graciously loaned us their RV for the trek!!!!! Thank you again!!!! I’m sure the idea of 11 travelers riding for 30+ hours in a van was overwhelming for anyone’s thought processes. As I write this from inside the moving RV, I am eternally grateful to Uncle Robert, Aunt Kristy and the good Lord!
Because the RV was not ours, Dave did not want to drive it up our driveway. We parked it at our neighbors’. The packing was completed in two phases – first load everything in the van and suburban and then offload those items to the RV.
Hectors are traditionalists. Therefore, every trip begins with a group photo in front of the vehicle. Say cheese!!
We never feel like we are really traveling until we actually leave our own state behind.
One other traditional activity on a Hector trip is stopping at the Atlantis Buffet in Reno. We know you are missing this part Ben and Thomas!
They have the best buffet in town!
The kiddos wanted to bring this back for you, Ben, but Mom decided it wouldn’t be good 2 weeks from now. It’s the thought that counts, right?
Nic decided he would try his first taste of “oyster on the half shell” at Atlantis. A picture is worth a thousand words!
We were a tad behind schedule because of our transportation turmoil and that threatened to cut into our time to visit with the McD’s. Since we had an RV, not a van, and several drivers, the decision was made to perform a marathon all-nighter non-stop dash across the country journey. Join us now as we chronicle events from the first day, and night, on the road. Remember, boredom and weariness took their toll.
Knox and Matthew drove first and second, respectively. Nic was left with the first night shift and the road through the Rocky Mountain pass.
Dad took the graveyard shift and Mom sat up with him, at least most of the night. Ahhhh, morning has broken.
Signage on Day 2.
This one is for Thomas & Lindsey! If you can, read the sign closely.
The Midwest has more than its share of bugs and we met a
great many of them.
It was time for our once a day meal break outside the coach, as we pulled into Des Moines, Iowa. We prefer to seek out local fare rather
than rely on too familiar franchises –
Drake’s Diner delights Des Moines with daily delectables.
We’ve been traveling since 9am yesterday and should arrive at our first destination sometime around midnight tonight! 39 hours on the road makes for a tired crew. We thank the Lord for His safety and provision!
~written by Mom & Dad~
We visited the Islands of Nassau, Saint Thomas and Saint Maarten. Can you find them on the map?
Early, early, early in the morning (6:00am)...We took a bus from our hometown to San Francisco. 
The view outside the plane window. It was my first flight so I sat by the window! *grin*
Leaving our hotel room in Fort Lauderdale, Fl...Heading towards the "Oasis of the Seas".
The "Oasis of the Seas". It was HUGE!
We were protected by the one and only, Coast Guard. 
Our Room. Basic but functional.
Our awesome steward, "Omar". He was cool!
The Center of the Ship...All of the trees you see in the center courtyard are real.
Grandma on the carousel; she's young at heart.
The ship had many entertaining shows, one of them being, "Hairspray". It was incredibly good! I was hoping for Les Misérables, but oh-well.
We arrived at Nassau... It was really humid (Remember, we are from California)! 
The Streets of Nassau. Nic is actually wearing shorts.
We found a cemetery!!! (It's a family tradition)
Can you read it?
Hey Thomas, we arrived at St. Thomas.
Iguanas are everywhere there, like cats here.
112 steps...My legs were killing me after we climbed them. I guess I should be doing P90X with Anton.
The streets of St. Thomas. People drive on the wrong side of the road and Stop signs are only suggestions. Scary!
BEAUTIFUL!!
We arrived at St. Maarten. Unfortunately it was raining cats and iguanas soooo we didn't explore much, but we did get extremely wet.
After the cruise was over we saw the sights of Florida on an air boat. 
The group was on the lookout for alligators or crocodiles. Not sure which. 
Last but not least we killed time at a local shopping mall - Florida's biggest mall, "Sawgrass Mills Mall". It looked like the malls in California.
