Tiffany & Kevin have been looking at vans for a few months. When we were out with them at Thanksgiving they were shopping around and test driving vans. Well who would have thought they would find the one they wanted 1199 miles away. Yep, the world is an internet shopping mall. Luckily the van they purchased through an ebay connection was located in Missouri about 45 minutes away from Thad. He drove over to test drive it and even perform a little reconnaissance on the seller just to check out legitimacy.
It turned out to be a superb vehicle. The pressing detail became how to get it across the country to Baltimore. After exploring transport services the kids determined it would cost the same or less to fly Stephen & I out to Kansas City, rent a car for us to drive up to Springfield, drive the van to them and fly us home, as it would be to hire it done.
What a break for us! We had already scheduled days off from work to go up to the Tahoe cabin for the annual Presidents Day visit with the cousins. Simply changing the geography of the vacation was no problem. I called Cousin Betsy to tell her we would be ditching them in favor of kids and grandkids. Sonnet and Sara however, stayed on track and had a great time in Tahoe.
Meanwhile Stephen & I armed with books on CD, headed out for Missouri. We picked up the car as smooth as silk and drove on to Thad & Angela’s for a day and a half stay with them. How fabulous to see the kids in their home. What a beautiful family they are. We played games, visited and went out for a fun evening. For dinner we ate at the ‘Fish Shack’ which is anything but a shack. It is the Bass-Pro restaurant situated right on the lake. After dinner we walked around Branson Landing then visited a place called ‘Andy’s’ for ice cream. Alexis was very proud to give the daily password at the order window. It seems there is a daily password and anyone that mentions it gets free ice cream. That’s right. We all got free ice cream – super. Actually, it is not called ice cream it is called custard because it is mostly egg with only a little dairy. It is the smoothest, creamiest ice cream type dessert I have ever eaten. Fabulous!
We said our goodbyes early and were out the door and on the road by 6:30 Saturday morning.
The night before we left I packed a cooler for the car. We planned to keep the stops down to gas, bathroom and stretches. That is of course, unless I see something or some shop I can’t pass up. Stephen is the best travel companion for me. Although he is cognizant of road conditions, weather and destination timelines; he is very accommodating to a spur-of-the-moment whim. I am very spoiled. We pulled off the highway for the night at Quality Inn. Upon check in we had the option of a regular room or, for only $20 dollars more, a huge room with Jacuzzi. There are some things in life that are no-brainers. We had a wonderful soak in a hot Jacuzzi. The King size bed was about two-thirds too big as we sleep pretty cuddled up, but we felt awfully pampered. In the morning we realized there was not a church in the area so we just got on the road and read from the Ensign and ate from our car stash. We pulled into Reisterstown about 4:00 PM.
The Park’s were ecstatic to see and explore their new van. It is very fancy so it will take some time to discover all the bells and whistles.
Stephen & I sure had fun with the kids. T&K showed us a new game they recently learned that just happened to be almost the replica of Canasta. We had a fun time with that even though the girls got soundly whipped. Because Presidents Day was a school holiday we were able to play with the kids in the morning then meet up with Kevin at Inner Harbor for some play time at Port Discovery and a dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
All too soon it was time to catch a plane back home. It sure was a windfall trip. We thank Kevin for thinking of us and making the arrangements. Family is the gift that keeps on giving.
It turned out to be a superb vehicle. The pressing detail became how to get it across the country to Baltimore. After exploring transport services the kids determined it would cost the same or less to fly Stephen & I out to Kansas City, rent a car for us to drive up to Springfield, drive the van to them and fly us home, as it would be to hire it done.
What a break for us! We had already scheduled days off from work to go up to the Tahoe cabin for the annual Presidents Day visit with the cousins. Simply changing the geography of the vacation was no problem. I called Cousin Betsy to tell her we would be ditching them in favor of kids and grandkids. Sonnet and Sara however, stayed on track and had a great time in Tahoe.
Meanwhile Stephen & I armed with books on CD, headed out for Missouri. We picked up the car as smooth as silk and drove on to Thad & Angela’s for a day and a half stay with them. How fabulous to see the kids in their home. What a beautiful family they are. We played games, visited and went out for a fun evening. For dinner we ate at the ‘Fish Shack’ which is anything but a shack. It is the Bass-Pro restaurant situated right on the lake. After dinner we walked around Branson Landing then visited a place called ‘Andy’s’ for ice cream. Alexis was very proud to give the daily password at the order window. It seems there is a daily password and anyone that mentions it gets free ice cream. That’s right. We all got free ice cream – super. Actually, it is not called ice cream it is called custard because it is mostly egg with only a little dairy. It is the smoothest, creamiest ice cream type dessert I have ever eaten. Fabulous!
We said our goodbyes early and were out the door and on the road by 6:30 Saturday morning.
The night before we left I packed a cooler for the car. We planned to keep the stops down to gas, bathroom and stretches. That is of course, unless I see something or some shop I can’t pass up. Stephen is the best travel companion for me. Although he is cognizant of road conditions, weather and destination timelines; he is very accommodating to a spur-of-the-moment whim. I am very spoiled. We pulled off the highway for the night at Quality Inn. Upon check in we had the option of a regular room or, for only $20 dollars more, a huge room with Jacuzzi. There are some things in life that are no-brainers. We had a wonderful soak in a hot Jacuzzi. The King size bed was about two-thirds too big as we sleep pretty cuddled up, but we felt awfully pampered. In the morning we realized there was not a church in the area so we just got on the road and read from the Ensign and ate from our car stash. We pulled into Reisterstown about 4:00 PM.
The Park’s were ecstatic to see and explore their new van. It is very fancy so it will take some time to discover all the bells and whistles.
Stephen & I sure had fun with the kids. T&K showed us a new game they recently learned that just happened to be almost the replica of Canasta. We had a fun time with that even though the girls got soundly whipped. Because Presidents Day was a school holiday we were able to play with the kids in the morning then meet up with Kevin at Inner Harbor for some play time at Port Discovery and a dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
All too soon it was time to catch a plane back home. It sure was a windfall trip. We thank Kevin for thinking of us and making the arrangements. Family is the gift that keeps on giving.
1 comment:
How fun. Time away. going on a road trip with your spouse, shopping, eating out,jacuzzi and the the big bonus, seeing the grandchildren .....Priceless
Post a Comment