Hitting the road. Hard.

Well, it's 2,602 miles later, and we are home. We've been back to work a week. Allen is starting to reacquaint himself with his stuff and his room. Hundreds of pictures have been uploaded. It's time to look back and remember what we did and why we did it! So, check BELOW this posting to read the story of each day of our vacation. Each day will be labeled with its actual date, for history's sake. It was great to see you all! Thanks for making our summer one to remember.

Day 12-14: Storm stories, lodge living

If you've watched much Weather Channel -- and boy, we have -- you've heard of Xenia, Ohio, which was nearly wiped off the map by a tornado in April 1974. Emilyn sure has heard of it. So, we made a little side trip so she could do some research of her own.

Then it was on to Hueston Woods State Park, virtually the middle of nowhere. Well, Miami University is nearby, in Oxford, Ohio. Oxford is a really cute little college town. And lodge living was really for us. Emilyn loved it, we had some great food, and we had the best sleep of the whole trip. And turkey buzzards!

Xenia, hummingbirds and some sweet fries



Woods and water



All babies are cute

Day 11: Big Jim, tiny butt

By Thursday, it was back on the road again. Another jacuzzi suite! The perfect antidote to a stormy day of driving through Pennsylvania.

Heading west

Day 10: Waddells! Critchlows! Wilsons! Oh, my!

Every red-blooded American knows: The Fourth of July is all about... pancakes! (OK, and sausage, too.)

We had set aside the morning of the Fourth for breakfast at Laurie's, and (nearly) everyone was there. We found out about the Wilsons' big upcoming move to Tarheel Country (maybe they'll start a North Carolina blog?? Darlene?? I'll help you get started!) and we enjoyed some truly top-notch pancakes, as only my dear sister can make. I got one in the shape of a turtle. Yes! Hannah handed out great presents, Aunt Laurie made bubbles fly, and some of the big boys even got to break into Bill's car, so that was fun!

A Fourth helping of fun