We made it to Mobile!

After our long (but enjoyable) road trip, we finally made itc to Mobile, Alabama this afternoon at about 3:30!
After we checked into the hotel, we decided to go for a ride to the cruise terminal which is about five miles from our hotel. I had MapQuested directions, so we expected it to be a breeze. Wrong. After several attempts, we did finally find the terminal, but we couldn't say exactly how we got there. It definitely didn't resemble the MapQuest directions. :o) We did stumble upon a huge car dealership owned by some Alabamian (is that a word?!?) McConnells . . .Once we made it back to the hotel, we went swimming. The hotel has a very nice and very large pool in the atrium . . .

Now, we will just relax for a bit . . .

We will board the ship around noon tomorrow. Assuming we can find our way back to the terminal. :o)

Tennessee . . .

We spent last night in Chattanooga and are getting ready to cross over into Alabama this morning. Tennessee is a beautiful state with many "scenic view stops" to hop out of the car and enjoy the mountains . . . We spent part of yesterday in Sweetwater (TN) at The Lost Sea Adventure! It is a huge cavern that contains America's largest underground body of water . . .

The "lake" is 1/2 mile down in the cavern ~ so it was an interesting hike down . . .

Once down at the underground lake we took a glass bottom boat tour around the water. The water was F~R~E~E~Z~I~N~G!! Here's Matthew and Nick peeking at what's in the water . . .

The lake is filled with HUGE rainbow trout that would swim right up to the boat and jump out of the water to catch food that was thrown to them. Very cool . . .

Wi-Fi @ Rest Stops?!?

Well, we drove just to Kentucky last night and stopped to sleep for a couple of hours at the Kentucky Travel Center/Rest Stop. I had to post just because I was amazed that this rest stop has free Wi-Fi!!! Amazing . . . We also found this place to have the cleanest bathrooms we have ever seen at these places. Only downfall . . . the coffee machine is broken. Ugh.

Matthew snoozing in the backseat . . .

The countdown is ON . . .

Well, we leave town in about 36 hours for our next vacation. Boy, do we need it! We will be gone for about 10 days. Our trip will include stops in: Sweetwater, TN ~ Chattanooga, TN ~ Mobile, AL and Bowling Green, KY. While in Mobile, we will board the Carnival Holiday (see photo) for a five day cruise to Cozumel and Calica, Mexico.

We plan to share the trip, via the blog, while we are gone. (Assuming we do not encounter any technical difficulties!) Your prayers for our safe travel would be much appreciated!

It's puzzling, really . . . .

Matthew spent this morning putting together some puzzles and wanted to proudly display them by taking this photo. Yes, if you are wondering he is in his underoos. We are having a hard time getting clothes on him at all this summer!

Hanna's Summer Camp 2008 Experience

Well for the third year in a row, Hanna went off to summer camp with youth from our church (July 20th ~ 26th). The camp is located in Butler, Ohio. Hanna absolutely L~O~V~E~S summer camp. She looks forward to it for months in advance.

They spend the week doing crafts, playing games, splashing in the lake and most importantly learning about God. They have bible lessons every day and also have a time of quiet devotion every afternoon.

This year, Hanna said she found out that she likes ravioli (she has had it twice for dinner since she came home!). She said the food was much better this year than in previous years. The past two summers, she ate LOTS of peanut butter sandwiches. She also took part in her first polar swim, where the kids sleep in their bathing suits, wake up at 6:00 am and rush in to the cold lake water. BRRRR!!!

Only about 320 days until Summer Camp 2009 ~ let the countdown begin!