WASHINGTON D.C. IS.....BUSY!

We have not had internet, sorry for the delay, we've been trying to squeeze 25 hours out of the day and somewhere between roasting smores and racing to catch the Metro I've been remiss in my blogging duties!

It's been 20 years since I visited D.C. It's gotten a lot busier; more specifically, we stood in line at the Aviation museum and didn't get out of line till we left, in fact, we stood in line to leave!!! I don't remember ever having to stand in line to visit a D.C. museum. The boys loved it, we walked and walked then walked. Bus lines to Metro from Memorial to Memorial, the WWII memorial was new and inspiring. It was a very fitting tribute. Amazingly, we were towed to each place by the boys, who seemed to just want to see everything and not miss a thing. The highlight of the visit was the Bisbee Gem and Mineral Exhibit. Amazing. We couldn't be more proud of the effort put into getting that exhibit displayed...it is amazing!

We've stayed at an R.V. park in College Park Maryland, apparently well known in the R.V. community for it's proximity to D.C. and the amenities it affords travelers. The crowd is 40-50 somethings with lots o kids and feels more like a day at the "Country Club" than an R.V. park. It's a nice place to relax though I'd like a nice place among the pines just as much.

Today is our last day, tomorrow we head out en route to Springfield Illinois as we promised Bob Waldmire, to gorge on Cozy Dogs and mid western corn fed beef!!! P.S. We miss home!
JUNE 12, 2008

THEME PARK HEAVEN

Have you ever wanted to go to a theme park so bad you couldn’t sleep the night before? For the past few weeks, waking the boys has been like waking the dead….30 minutes of, “time to go, let’s get up, the bus is leaving.” That routine changes when the itinerary includes the biggest roller coaster and a German Hofbrauhaus. Three boys were out of bed, showered and ready to go sans breakfast before 7:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. Arizona time); a record that won’t soon be broken.

We spent the entire day at Busch Gardens theme park outside Williamsburg VA. I must say, even for a big kid, this is one of the greatest parks I’ve ever visited. ..even better than Disneyland. From the food, the rides, and the shows, I was amazed; perhaps, partially because I haven’t been to a theme park in ten years and I haven’t visited this one since I was 16. There’s more to do than our entire day afforded us, which, was probably the only disappointment.

Jonathan started off with getting the pass to visit ANY roller coaster he wanted, just getting in over the minimum height. He chose…The Lock Ness Coaster, front row…with Dad. Jon survived, Dad almost lost his brunch. Since I’ve avoided private flying and anything close to a B-52 in 14 years I guess I’d lost my ability to ignore that little voice that says, “throwing up is no fun.” Of course, Jon was off to the next and bigger coaster but he had to help me wobble my queezy butt close enough to the next “off the charts” coaster to say, “let’s see if Nolan will go with you bud.” These coasters are unreal! If you even THINK you might get sick…they’ll set you straight. Leg’s dangling in mid air as they spiral you through more twists and loops than a NASA test pilot, and that’s just the first 200 meters! I was queezy just watching it!

We’ve rounded off the day headed up Assateague Island via the 24 mile Chesapeake bay bridge/tunnel. Rolling into the first park we could find after dark we’ll get ready for Washington D.C. Saturday-Sunday and then turn our bus towards Chicago and points (Bisbee) West.

In case you’re wondering if it’s all just hunky dory aboard the Bisbee bus. It’s not bad….but it’s a lesson in parenting, patience and a real stretch of the noggin to hang the “boss and provider” hat on the hook and learn a little about your kids and what they really want from their Dad, things I’m sure I’ll have the courage to discuss in later blogs when I’m more capable of giving it consistently. Since we’re not allowed to discuss “work” in the bus, that should happen sooner than later.

Food P.S. we’re eating in the bus this week, no big restaurants. Last night, fresh fajita’s without tomatoes, guacamole.