Across the Country We Went

We moved. We fit most of our belongings into my little 2001 Toyota Camry by some miracle. We left Virginia around the same time as an insane storm hit. The only reason I even make mention of this is because while I drove in the car, Bubba rode his motorcycle. Yes. He's insane.

Our first night we stopped at a swanky-ish hotel and on over to the closest steakhouse we could find.

Our next stop was in the one and only Piggott, Arkansas. We checked in on the farms for Papa Sowell and had a wonderful time with the farm manager.

Bubba even got a turn in driving the big tractors.

The Transformer...

On our way out of town we said hello to the parking lot named after my dad...

This is my favorite travel buddy. What a stud.

In the Middle of Nowhere, OK this happened...

Our final stop was in New Mexico...this is outside the cutest Route 66 Diner I've ever seen. We treated ourselves to green chile cheese fries and malt milkshakes.

We made it to AZ. A little stir crazy but no worse for the wear.

'

And there you have it...

We made it across the U.S.A. and we had a good time doing it!

Safari Park and Shaved Ice

As our Virginia livin' days are coming to a close (2 more weeks and then we hit the road!), we are trying to make the most of the time we have left. ML and the kids have been hanging with us and the parents since they're moving to Rochester for Brian's residency. And we have been having way too much fun with them.

Amid the stress of packing and moving, we've managed to have a few adventures as well. Mom took the grandkids to the VA Safari Park and so we decided to tag along for some extra adult supervision. But let's be real. Bubba and I were more excited than my nieces and nephew.

We walked around the petting zoo portion for the first bit. Bubba got some smiles from these two baby camels.

And then we met Boo the baby bear cat. Which is a real thing apparently.

And the grandkids got right to it!

And then we got to feed the budgie birds!

This is a top contender for favorite picture of the day. My mom literally screamed and jumped around when the birds landed on her arm. If anyone happened to film it, they need to upload to youtube ASAP.

Bubba was proud that he got the bird without the food. Tricky.

After that excitement, we got on the tractor ride for the SAFARI. (Please note that apparently all these animals do is eat, since we had cars in front of us as well as behind us all bearing buckets of feed. Literally this is all they do all. day. long.)

He prefers food to be thrown his direction.

This guy was special.

My mom was so nervous when she saw her grandkids throw themselves at the snake.

It was a fun time for all of us, however slobbery and stinky some of the animals were. It was fun to have a family day at the safari. And thankfully we had the perfect way to cool off after being in the heat...

Our friends at the Shaved Ice Shack are BACK! We have been there as often as we see the shack. Which is almost everyday as we take the scenic route home from work or errands just in case. This is no ordinary snow cone cabana. This is the best shaved ice I have ever had. A vintage Ice Shaver (not sure if that's the real name of the tool but it's old and vintage and makes the most powdery, light, and perfect ice, homemade flavors (ya can't beat homemade anything), and sweetened condensed milk poured on top. We love it. And we loved sharing what we love with those we love.

Sugar High. So Fly.