July 1, 2009
Jonesboro was filled with so much good...sooo much good. Aunt Leith, Uncle Randy and Rebekah (cuz) were so much fun and not only that but they really poured into us both in many ways. A perfect stop at the end of the trip! We grilled out after a tough day laying by the pool and then suddenly the home turned into a huge dance party, equip with "Brick House" and many more 80s jams...hilarious-you had to be there. The Hoggard family is indeed one-of-a-kind. They inspire so much in those they are around and what an opportunity to experience them for even just a day.
Parting was such sweet sorrow, but off to our next stop we went-St. Louis!!! After arriving at Justine and Pete's home, Justine cooked up a huge meal for us all and then Jake (son) and Pete took us on a small tour of the city, including (of couse) the ARCH! We did the whole ride in the claustrophobic bubble to the top thing and what a view! We could see the Cardinals playing and all of the lights of the city! It was amazing. Then, we went to a wine restaurant which Jake (son) use to own and were able to sit and enjoy that for awhile.
It has been so incredible how each stop has had people who have been so good to us-people who want to give and love...that's how life should be. It makes me want to be that. It's actually hard to think about this ending-it has been such a wonderful and exciting trip, filled with life lessons and also just unforgettable sites which will last a lifetime. Tomorrow Jake and I part ways. I'm going to visit Uncle Rod in Illinois and Jake will stay a few more days here in St. Louis. We will probably post a final one and update last pics. Last night!!!
BFF
The Country Travelers
Tetons
Our backyard view
Sam and Leslie's cabin
Cabin in the Grand Tetons!!!
Pumping Gas
Gassing it up for the trip! ONE OF MANY!
David and Kristi
Our fine hosts in Iowa, David and Kristi
Uh Oh
Alcatraz
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
ARKANSAS!!!
June 30
Now I am once again in a dream land where I just feel like I don't want to wake up from whatever this dream entails. Last night, we got to go see my (Kristin) family in Forrest City, Arkansas and it was even better than I was anticipating! All of my relatives showed up and it was all the typical Mills/Forrester stuff going on! Loud, fun, love, do what you want atmosphere. With my family, there is no holding back...what you see is what you get! I just felt so happy and couldn't stop smiling. It seems that it doesn't ever matter how long I am away from all of them, it's just like we were together yesterday and also there is just so much love! Awww, I love them! Now, we are at Aunt Leith and Uncle Randy's house in Jonesboro and having a blast sitting by the pool and chatting with family. This trip does not get old EVER and just keeps being amazing along the way at every stop-I don't think it will really get over until we pull into Grand Rapids. What a life this has been, living and loving.
You should do this someday.
I LOVE MY FAMILY DEARLY AND I ENJOY EXPERIENCING OTHER FAMILIES THAT JUST "GET IT" AND DO LIFE TOGETHER WELL.
KRISTIN'S FAMILY IS AWESOME! THEY TOTALLY GET IT. I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME IN ARKANSAS. I FELT RIGHT AT HOME AND I TRULY EXPERIENCED SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY!!!
Now I am once again in a dream land where I just feel like I don't want to wake up from whatever this dream entails. Last night, we got to go see my (Kristin) family in Forrest City, Arkansas and it was even better than I was anticipating! All of my relatives showed up and it was all the typical Mills/Forrester stuff going on! Loud, fun, love, do what you want atmosphere. With my family, there is no holding back...what you see is what you get! I just felt so happy and couldn't stop smiling. It seems that it doesn't ever matter how long I am away from all of them, it's just like we were together yesterday and also there is just so much love! Awww, I love them! Now, we are at Aunt Leith and Uncle Randy's house in Jonesboro and having a blast sitting by the pool and chatting with family. This trip does not get old EVER and just keeps being amazing along the way at every stop-I don't think it will really get over until we pull into Grand Rapids. What a life this has been, living and loving.
You should do this someday.
I LOVE MY FAMILY DEARLY AND I ENJOY EXPERIENCING OTHER FAMILIES THAT JUST "GET IT" AND DO LIFE TOGETHER WELL.
KRISTIN'S FAMILY IS AWESOME! THEY TOTALLY GET IT. I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME IN ARKANSAS. I FELT RIGHT AT HOME AND I TRULY EXPERIENCED SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY!!!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
june 27-28
Well, we made it to the Grand Canyon and oh how it was worth the wait of the trip! Words surely can't describe the beauty of the canyon and just the vastness of it all! We had a great time walking out on the rocks and at times, it seemed like the end of the Earth out there! We met a really nice family from Kansas City, with whom we toughed the hard stuff-those are the times when we wish we had more time just to spend more time in conversation with people. Another two opportunities came later, as we stopped at a little sports bar named "Bo-Jo's" and met Mary, the owner, and Jack, a passer byer. Those places are always fun bc people are usually super friendly and you never know who you'll meet! We stuck around for awhile in Winslow, Arizona to take some pics on the corner for Jake and then booked it to make it to Albuquerqe before too late. There we were able to meet yet another cool person, Alan, and again we were sad to not have more time. Alan's house was so amazing-i was in love witht the huge patio with a hottub and waterfall and 75 degree weather at 12 am! I fell asleep to the sound of the waterfall and not just a CD replicating the sound...it was the real deal. So now we are almost to Tulsa, OK, where we will stay for the night and then head out to Arkansas to spend some time with my (Kristin) family! Can't wait for that!!! It has been a long day for driving. Pray for the rest of our trip to be safe! We are getting closer and closer to home!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
June 26, 2009
Here we are in Flagstaff, Arizona, gearing up for the Grand Canyon tomorrow! Today, we intended to lay at the pool again and then head here to Flagstaff, but on our way, we realized that the Hoover Dam was right there! Of course, we had to stop and see the "Dam Tour." Regarding Las Vegas, we both decided that it is such a fun place and it was a great stop for relaxation, but we couldn't have spent much more time there, as there is just not a lot of good that goes on there...but fun to see.
Tomorrow, we're off to Grand Canyon and then a stop in Alburquerque (sp?) and Tulsa on our way to see my (Kristin) family in Arkansas!
Here we are in Flagstaff, Arizona, gearing up for the Grand Canyon tomorrow! Today, we intended to lay at the pool again and then head here to Flagstaff, but on our way, we realized that the Hoover Dam was right there! Of course, we had to stop and see the "Dam Tour." Regarding Las Vegas, we both decided that it is such a fun place and it was a great stop for relaxation, but we couldn't have spent much more time there, as there is just not a lot of good that goes on there...but fun to see.
Tomorrow, we're off to Grand Canyon and then a stop in Alburquerque (sp?) and Tulsa on our way to see my (Kristin) family in Arkansas!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Las Vegas!!!
June 25, 2009
We have arrived safely in Las Vegas and are staying in a rad hotel called "New York, New York." We decided upon driving in that we really need a day to jus chill and not have an agenda, so we are staying here for two nights! It's such a fun atmosphere, although we agreed that we couldn't do this here for too long...some things are just really sad to be around. The Bellagio is amazing, with a beautiful light show in front and the strip is hopping with people at all times of the night. Right now, it's pool time and has been so nice to just be and not drive. This trip seems too good to be true at times, and we're so thankful that we can do it. It's really hard to keep up with pics and posts, so be patient! We're thinking often of our friends and hoping you are all doing well-cant wait to catch up when we get home.
BEHIND THE GLITZ AND THE GLAMOUR AND THE SLOTS AND THE SHOWS; LAS VEGAS IS A SAD AND EMPTY PLACE. WE BOTH FELT A HEAVY HEART FOR WHAT "HAPPENS IN VEGAS."
We have arrived safely in Las Vegas and are staying in a rad hotel called "New York, New York." We decided upon driving in that we really need a day to jus chill and not have an agenda, so we are staying here for two nights! It's such a fun atmosphere, although we agreed that we couldn't do this here for too long...some things are just really sad to be around. The Bellagio is amazing, with a beautiful light show in front and the strip is hopping with people at all times of the night. Right now, it's pool time and has been so nice to just be and not drive. This trip seems too good to be true at times, and we're so thankful that we can do it. It's really hard to keep up with pics and posts, so be patient! We're thinking often of our friends and hoping you are all doing well-cant wait to catch up when we get home.
BEHIND THE GLITZ AND THE GLAMOUR AND THE SLOTS AND THE SHOWS; LAS VEGAS IS A SAD AND EMPTY PLACE. WE BOTH FELT A HEAVY HEART FOR WHAT "HAPPENS IN VEGAS."
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
June 23, 2009
This morning, we left in time for our tour of Alcatraz, but it never works out that way in a big city, huh?!?!?! Of course, Jake and I were flying through an unknown city, trying to make our ferry to take us out to the island, and we were convinced we had missed it. With a quick prayer and brisk run, we actually were able to make it onboard…last ones on? Jake and Kristin. The tour was AMAZING, with an excellent audio tour we got to listen to with headsets going through the penitentiary. I was thinking as we walked down the cell blocks, why are we so intrigued by this type of thing? Most interesting to me, and definitely a future topic of GOOGLE STUDY is the one executed escape from Alcatraz Island. I kept asking Jake all day, “Do you think those guys made it?” and probably other weird questions like that…it’s just so crazy to think that they might still be living somewhere. After returning from the island, we went to Bubba Gumps and had some shrimp (Kristin…Jake doesn’t eat that stuff!) San Francisco is an interesting city, and I would love it minus the crowds, tourists, and traffic. Haha…Grand Rapids is big enough for me. I’m missing Montana. It is beautiful here though, with the sun shining and the Golden Gate bridge; we are enjoying every place we go for very different reasons. Who knows what the next city holds? LAS VEGAS!!!
June 22, 2009
LONG DRIVE TODAY! The drive from Portland to San Francisco is a long one, but we left early enough to make it in on time…well, things didn’t exactly turn out the way we planned, but that’s the fun of it! Jake wanted to see the WORLD famous “Hayward Field” where THE LEGENDARY RUNNING SUPERSTAR Steve Prefontaine and many others ran. So we motored on down to Eugene where we took lots of fun pictures and had an amazing time in the University of Oregon bookstore.
WHEN THIS TRIP WAS PLANNED I (JAKE) HAD VERY LITTLE MUST DO'S, BUT OREGON AND HAYWARD FIELD WERE AT THE TOP OF MY LIST. SO WE SNUCK IN AND I TOOK A LAP AROUND THE TRACK AND SNAPPED A FEW PICS THAT WILL ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE.
WHILE LEAVING THE BOOKSTORE I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE FROM MY RUNNING BUDDY AUDREY TELLING US THAT HER AUNT MARY LIVES AROUND THE CORNER FROM CAMPUS. I LOOKED AT KRISTIN AND WE BOTH SAID "LET'S DO IT!" This was a treat, as she was very kind and such a funny lady to be around. So, we had snacks and conversation there before heading out. In talking with Aunt Mary, I was reminded of the infamous school shooting that happened just outside of Eugene in Springfield, one year before Columbine, so of course I had to go there to see the memorial. It’s always so heartwrenching for me to see these kinds of things, as kids are so near and dear to my heart. There is a beautiful wall commemorating the victims and also those injured in late May of 1998. My heart breaks for those involved in such situations filled with extreme sorrow and pain.
So, on to San Francisco we went!!! We took the Oregon coastline, but it didn’t end up being what we had imagined and it was taking quite long to go through the windy turns, so we soon hopped on the I5 and headed to San Fran. Hours and hours later, we finally arrived at 3:00 am at Noelle’s house (friend of a friend) and we were able to get some sleep before our tour to Alcatraz Tuesday morning. Whew, what a long day!!! Have we been gone like two months or what?
June 21, 2009
Sunday morning I (Kristin) went to church to see a great friend deliver the sermon at the Covenant church in Seattle. Then, Sarah and I got our stuff together to go pick up Jake and then we all drove to Portland to be with her family. It’s always a joy to go and hang with the Parks and I also got to see another great friend from college (Mike, Sarah’s husband), too. Alex (Sarah’s brother), Mike, Jake, Sarah and I went out into the downtown Portland area on Sunday night, which was really fun just to be together and also for Jake to get acquainted to people I love so dearly from another part of my life. We went to a pub and then to this crazy donut shop “Voodo Doughnuts.” There were so many different crazy kinds of donuts, such as the one the guys ate, the Maple Bacon donut. (WHAT?!?!?!?) There were all sorts of them including one with Fruit Loops on it! We had such a great time just being together…sad to leave them!
June 20, 2009
Nice to wake up this morning, knowing that we can just chill and stay somewhere for a change. We went with Letha to “Top Pot Doughnuts” and stayed there and had an interesting conversation. I have already enjoyed SO MUCH our time here and especially just talking with people. Jake and Letha then went on their own to the market and I did my own thing for awhile until my best friends from college came into town. When I finally was able to connect with my friends, we went over to a friend’s house and she made dinner for a bunch of the girls. It was great to be able to reconnect with them!
June 19, 2009
Today was an all day traveling day, with a few stops just for gas and breaks. Off to Seattle we went! Upon finally reaching the city after a lot of driving, we met up with one of our friends, Letha, and took a small tour of her grad school downtown Seattle, Mars Hill. It seems like such a neat place, but what is even more interesting to me (Kristin) is what takes place there. The more I heard about it throughout the night, the more intrigued I became, as it seems like such a perfect place for me to study and grow. WE’LL SEE! I don’t know if I could ever live in Seattle though; it might just be too big for me. So, we went to a small pub with some of Letha’s friends and then headed out for the night. We had a great time playing Skeeball (just like at Chucky Cheese-hehe) and just hanging out together. Jake and I finally have other people than each other to hang out with! YAY! I found out early in the night that one of my close friends from Spring Hill summer of ’98 was attending Mars Hill as well, so it was great to meet up with him, too! What a fun time we had just catching up and talking. Fun night!
This morning, we left in time for our tour of Alcatraz, but it never works out that way in a big city, huh?!?!?! Of course, Jake and I were flying through an unknown city, trying to make our ferry to take us out to the island, and we were convinced we had missed it. With a quick prayer and brisk run, we actually were able to make it onboard…last ones on? Jake and Kristin. The tour was AMAZING, with an excellent audio tour we got to listen to with headsets going through the penitentiary. I was thinking as we walked down the cell blocks, why are we so intrigued by this type of thing? Most interesting to me, and definitely a future topic of GOOGLE STUDY is the one executed escape from Alcatraz Island. I kept asking Jake all day, “Do you think those guys made it?” and probably other weird questions like that…it’s just so crazy to think that they might still be living somewhere. After returning from the island, we went to Bubba Gumps and had some shrimp (Kristin…Jake doesn’t eat that stuff!) San Francisco is an interesting city, and I would love it minus the crowds, tourists, and traffic. Haha…Grand Rapids is big enough for me. I’m missing Montana. It is beautiful here though, with the sun shining and the Golden Gate bridge; we are enjoying every place we go for very different reasons. Who knows what the next city holds? LAS VEGAS!!!
June 22, 2009
LONG DRIVE TODAY! The drive from Portland to San Francisco is a long one, but we left early enough to make it in on time…well, things didn’t exactly turn out the way we planned, but that’s the fun of it! Jake wanted to see the WORLD famous “Hayward Field” where THE LEGENDARY RUNNING SUPERSTAR Steve Prefontaine and many others ran. So we motored on down to Eugene where we took lots of fun pictures and had an amazing time in the University of Oregon bookstore.
WHEN THIS TRIP WAS PLANNED I (JAKE) HAD VERY LITTLE MUST DO'S, BUT OREGON AND HAYWARD FIELD WERE AT THE TOP OF MY LIST. SO WE SNUCK IN AND I TOOK A LAP AROUND THE TRACK AND SNAPPED A FEW PICS THAT WILL ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE.
WHILE LEAVING THE BOOKSTORE I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE FROM MY RUNNING BUDDY AUDREY TELLING US THAT HER AUNT MARY LIVES AROUND THE CORNER FROM CAMPUS. I LOOKED AT KRISTIN AND WE BOTH SAID "LET'S DO IT!" This was a treat, as she was very kind and such a funny lady to be around. So, we had snacks and conversation there before heading out. In talking with Aunt Mary, I was reminded of the infamous school shooting that happened just outside of Eugene in Springfield, one year before Columbine, so of course I had to go there to see the memorial. It’s always so heartwrenching for me to see these kinds of things, as kids are so near and dear to my heart. There is a beautiful wall commemorating the victims and also those injured in late May of 1998. My heart breaks for those involved in such situations filled with extreme sorrow and pain.
So, on to San Francisco we went!!! We took the Oregon coastline, but it didn’t end up being what we had imagined and it was taking quite long to go through the windy turns, so we soon hopped on the I5 and headed to San Fran. Hours and hours later, we finally arrived at 3:00 am at Noelle’s house (friend of a friend) and we were able to get some sleep before our tour to Alcatraz Tuesday morning. Whew, what a long day!!! Have we been gone like two months or what?
June 21, 2009
Sunday morning I (Kristin) went to church to see a great friend deliver the sermon at the Covenant church in Seattle. Then, Sarah and I got our stuff together to go pick up Jake and then we all drove to Portland to be with her family. It’s always a joy to go and hang with the Parks and I also got to see another great friend from college (Mike, Sarah’s husband), too. Alex (Sarah’s brother), Mike, Jake, Sarah and I went out into the downtown Portland area on Sunday night, which was really fun just to be together and also for Jake to get acquainted to people I love so dearly from another part of my life. We went to a pub and then to this crazy donut shop “Voodo Doughnuts.” There were so many different crazy kinds of donuts, such as the one the guys ate, the Maple Bacon donut. (WHAT?!?!?!?) There were all sorts of them including one with Fruit Loops on it! We had such a great time just being together…sad to leave them!
June 20, 2009
Nice to wake up this morning, knowing that we can just chill and stay somewhere for a change. We went with Letha to “Top Pot Doughnuts” and stayed there and had an interesting conversation. I have already enjoyed SO MUCH our time here and especially just talking with people. Jake and Letha then went on their own to the market and I did my own thing for awhile until my best friends from college came into town. When I finally was able to connect with my friends, we went over to a friend’s house and she made dinner for a bunch of the girls. It was great to be able to reconnect with them!
June 19, 2009
Today was an all day traveling day, with a few stops just for gas and breaks. Off to Seattle we went! Upon finally reaching the city after a lot of driving, we met up with one of our friends, Letha, and took a small tour of her grad school downtown Seattle, Mars Hill. It seems like such a neat place, but what is even more interesting to me (Kristin) is what takes place there. The more I heard about it throughout the night, the more intrigued I became, as it seems like such a perfect place for me to study and grow. WE’LL SEE! I don’t know if I could ever live in Seattle though; it might just be too big for me. So, we went to a small pub with some of Letha’s friends and then headed out for the night. We had a great time playing Skeeball (just like at Chucky Cheese-hehe) and just hanging out together. Jake and I finally have other people than each other to hang out with! YAY! I found out early in the night that one of my close friends from Spring Hill summer of ’98 was attending Mars Hill as well, so it was great to meet up with him, too! What a fun time we had just catching up and talking. Fun night!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Jackson Hole/Yellowstone National Park
June 18, 2009
We got moving this morning after having a great night sleep and headed to Yellowstone National Park. There was so much to see there, whether it was the geysers, the hot springs, or the animals everywhere. Several times, we had to stop and up ahead we saw that it was simply animals holding everyone up! One time there was a huge group of bisen walking in the middle of the road like they owned the place, and another time we looked out where everyone was and there sat a moose, just hanging out in the grass...ahhh, the sites of Yellowstone! We visited Old Faithful and were anticipating a 90 minute wait for it to "erupt." As Jake and I walked up to the crowd, suddenly there it went! It was so hilarious because all of these people had been waiting for probably at least an hour and behind us we hear, "Finally." We just happened to walk up right at the perfect time-that's basically how our whole trip has been going...right time, right place. That's totally God working! For me (Kristin), the highlight came when we were almost outside of the park and suddenly everything was rocky mountains and winding roads. No words can describe the countryside that we saw today and the amazing open skies that Wyoming and Montana hold. To me, Montana is the favorite...I just really enjoyed driving through the open skies and all of the green hills and mountains. It's absolutely breathtaking! UNBELIEVABLE. (I even had to buy a "Montana" sweatshirt!) We are now in Missoula, Montana, about to get some sleep for tomorrow's long drive to Seattle. The excitement only continues...thanks for the prayers and thoughts! We are really feeling God's provision as we travel and meet friends and new people along our journey! Each person we run into becomes a special part of our trip.
June 17, 2009
After heading out to a small coffee shop in Jackson on Wednesday morning, we headed over to a small brewery (Snake River) and met some really neat people there. (With Jake Downing and Kristin Downs working together, how can we not?!?!?!) We chatted with a really fun couple from Arkansas as well as a guy from Jackson. It's always fun to meet people in different areas and get to know their "stories" in life. This is definitely a highlight for both of us, being the social people that we both are. Next, we decided to go to Jackson Hole to check out the ski resort. It was amazing! I (Kristin) rode up the tram, while Jake took a little break. The tram went all the way up the mountain and at the top, we all got out and were able to walk around up there. It was like 42 degrees and 10 mph winds!!! It was crazy to be standing in the snow with shorts on...but of course I had to do it. The site was breathtaking from on top of the mountain, and it was hard not to feel like it was just all a dream. God has truly made an amazing country we live in. Wow! We were able to catch a quick movie at a local movie theater (The Taking of Phelm 123-GREAT MOVIE!!!) and then headed home after a long, but exciting day! Thanks, Sam and Leslie for great conversation and providing us a place to stay for our adventure in Jackson Hole!!!
We got moving this morning after having a great night sleep and headed to Yellowstone National Park. There was so much to see there, whether it was the geysers, the hot springs, or the animals everywhere. Several times, we had to stop and up ahead we saw that it was simply animals holding everyone up! One time there was a huge group of bisen walking in the middle of the road like they owned the place, and another time we looked out where everyone was and there sat a moose, just hanging out in the grass...ahhh, the sites of Yellowstone! We visited Old Faithful and were anticipating a 90 minute wait for it to "erupt." As Jake and I walked up to the crowd, suddenly there it went! It was so hilarious because all of these people had been waiting for probably at least an hour and behind us we hear, "Finally." We just happened to walk up right at the perfect time-that's basically how our whole trip has been going...right time, right place. That's totally God working! For me (Kristin), the highlight came when we were almost outside of the park and suddenly everything was rocky mountains and winding roads. No words can describe the countryside that we saw today and the amazing open skies that Wyoming and Montana hold. To me, Montana is the favorite...I just really enjoyed driving through the open skies and all of the green hills and mountains. It's absolutely breathtaking! UNBELIEVABLE. (I even had to buy a "Montana" sweatshirt!) We are now in Missoula, Montana, about to get some sleep for tomorrow's long drive to Seattle. The excitement only continues...thanks for the prayers and thoughts! We are really feeling God's provision as we travel and meet friends and new people along our journey! Each person we run into becomes a special part of our trip.
June 17, 2009
After heading out to a small coffee shop in Jackson on Wednesday morning, we headed over to a small brewery (Snake River) and met some really neat people there. (With Jake Downing and Kristin Downs working together, how can we not?!?!?!) We chatted with a really fun couple from Arkansas as well as a guy from Jackson. It's always fun to meet people in different areas and get to know their "stories" in life. This is definitely a highlight for both of us, being the social people that we both are. Next, we decided to go to Jackson Hole to check out the ski resort. It was amazing! I (Kristin) rode up the tram, while Jake took a little break. The tram went all the way up the mountain and at the top, we all got out and were able to walk around up there. It was like 42 degrees and 10 mph winds!!! It was crazy to be standing in the snow with shorts on...but of course I had to do it. The site was breathtaking from on top of the mountain, and it was hard not to feel like it was just all a dream. God has truly made an amazing country we live in. Wow! We were able to catch a quick movie at a local movie theater (The Taking of Phelm 123-GREAT MOVIE!!!) and then headed home after a long, but exciting day! Thanks, Sam and Leslie for great conversation and providing us a place to stay for our adventure in Jackson Hole!!!
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Pacific Ocean
Golden Gate bridge as we're driving on it!
With our hostess in San Fran, Noelle
Oh, what a sight!
Jake, Rhoda, Letha
An old friend, Troy, in Seattle
BIGGEST TRUCK STOP IN THE WORLD!
Iowa (Interstate 80)
Jake at Truckstop
one of the many "must have" gifts at the truck stop
