Yesterday evening was the conclusion of my vacation travels for 2007, although I am still off until Jan 2. I feel a small recap is in order.
On Dec. 21, my wife and I embarked on a the first two hour journey to my parents house in Western Kentucky. The drive was easy and when we arrived dinner was on the table and waiting. Thank you mom.
On Dec. 22, my wife and I went to my Aunt's house for our Christmas party. We played the usual family games and had discussions on life and politics. This year we had a near birth at the party with my cousin's wife having contractions for a few hours.
On Dec. 23, we journeyed up to Southern Illinois 2 hours away to my wife's parents house. We enjoyed some good meals and watched some movies.
On Dec. 24, still at my wife's parents' house we visited all of my wife's close friends and attended the candle light service.
On Dec. 25, of course we opened presents which is always good. I got several accessories for my Xbox 360, games, new coat, clothes, and tools. The fun began after the present opening. My wife and I were to go back to my parents' house for more presents. We were about 15 mins out of her town, listening to Queen, when we heard the sound, (flup, flup, flup). Feeling my stomach sink down I pulled over into a parking area and sure enough we had a flat tire. It was on the left rear.
After changing the tire and driving slower than usual we arrived at my parents which took 3 hours instead of 2 hours due to driving slower.
On Dec. 26, woke up and went out to get my tire fixed. Couldn't just patch the tire had to get a new tire. Also, had to go to Evansville, IN to get it. 45 min. away.
On Dec. 27, get tire from Evansville and get tire replaced total cost $100.99. Also, went out on the town with wife for some local grub and visiting of friends.
On Dec. 28, hung out all day at the house.
On Dec. 29, my wife and mom left at 11:00 PM on Dec 28 to Bowling Green, KY for my cousin's wife baby was being born. My Dad, brother, and I worked all day on the "cabin" in the woods lifting logs and being men.
Came back on Dec. 30 and reopened presents.
All and all a pretty good but busy vacation. Now I am at home and fixing to start to party with my wife. No going out for New Years trying to save some money.
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Weekend Trip Part 1 -- On the Way to Pigeon Forge, TN
This weekend I went to Pigeon Forge. Since, I live in Nashville the drive is only around three to four hours long. The trip sounded promising, I took a day off of work on Friday so we could travel Thursday night, wake up ready to go exploring on Friday. Wishful thinking got the better of us on this one.
On Thursday I had my oil, liquids, and other various parts of the car checked so that we would be ready to roll. We left Nashville and about 30 miles out my Battery, Brake, and Door ajar lights come on the dash. They flickered off and on. My first thought was when they checked the signals and lights and the battery they had bumped something or the computer needed to be reset. We continued on the journey of 208 miles on I-40. At mile marker 320 the dash began to grow dim, the lights on the car began to fade. Then at mile marker 336, the dash panel, gauges, and radio all went out. My wife was driving the car and panic set in. We kept the care moving and exited on 338 to a shell station just in time as the car shut off.
I had dealt with alternator failure before, but not 208 miles away from home. We ran into the gas station to check for mechanics, towing, and room and board. The time was around 9:00 PM Central.
I called a towing and repair shop in Crossville, TN about 20 miles away. A nice man named Billy Ayers answered the phone and with a kind voice said he would be there in 45 min to a hour. Amber called her mom to find a hotel in the Crossville area. Come to find out that there was a huge rummage sale going on that spanned 3 states and just happen to run through Crossville. All hotels were booked. There was one place called An Jen Inn, a bred and breakfast off the beaten path but close to town.
The lady there was older but kind enough to move out of her room and down to the couch. Billy couldn't get to the gas station soon enough when a "mysterious Hiker" showed up and sat down in front of our broken down car. Several times he signed to us for a cigarette or various other things which we did not have.
After an eternity of sitting in a broken down care the tow truck arrived. After about 10 mins we were loaded up and on the road headed back to Crossville. Billy said he would on the car in the morning and he would take us to the Bed and Breakfast. The An Jen was about 5 miles out of town and set up on a hill. It was well crafted plantation looking home. It had 5 rooms each with its own bathroom. A wedding chapel, pool, and a nice porch with comfy chairs.
Billy got the car done as promised and after 348.43 dollars of parts and labor it was fixed. It was noon on Friday and we were extremley anxious to get to Pigeion forge to say the least.
Going through Knoxville, Sevierville were the worst parts. Yes, worse than being broke down traffic, 10 mph traffic.
On Thursday I had my oil, liquids, and other various parts of the car checked so that we would be ready to roll. We left Nashville and about 30 miles out my Battery, Brake, and Door ajar lights come on the dash. They flickered off and on. My first thought was when they checked the signals and lights and the battery they had bumped something or the computer needed to be reset. We continued on the journey of 208 miles on I-40. At mile marker 320 the dash began to grow dim, the lights on the car began to fade. Then at mile marker 336, the dash panel, gauges, and radio all went out. My wife was driving the car and panic set in. We kept the care moving and exited on 338 to a shell station just in time as the car shut off.
I had dealt with alternator failure before, but not 208 miles away from home. We ran into the gas station to check for mechanics, towing, and room and board. The time was around 9:00 PM Central.
I called a towing and repair shop in Crossville, TN about 20 miles away. A nice man named Billy Ayers answered the phone and with a kind voice said he would be there in 45 min to a hour. Amber called her mom to find a hotel in the Crossville area. Come to find out that there was a huge rummage sale going on that spanned 3 states and just happen to run through Crossville. All hotels were booked. There was one place called An Jen Inn, a bred and breakfast off the beaten path but close to town.
The lady there was older but kind enough to move out of her room and down to the couch. Billy couldn't get to the gas station soon enough when a "mysterious Hiker" showed up and sat down in front of our broken down car. Several times he signed to us for a cigarette or various other things which we did not have.
After an eternity of sitting in a broken down care the tow truck arrived. After about 10 mins we were loaded up and on the road headed back to Crossville. Billy said he would on the car in the morning and he would take us to the Bed and Breakfast. The An Jen was about 5 miles out of town and set up on a hill. It was well crafted plantation looking home. It had 5 rooms each with its own bathroom. A wedding chapel, pool, and a nice porch with comfy chairs.
Billy got the car done as promised and after 348.43 dollars of parts and labor it was fixed. It was noon on Friday and we were extremley anxious to get to Pigeion forge to say the least.
Going through Knoxville, Sevierville were the worst parts. Yes, worse than being broke down traffic, 10 mph traffic.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Trip to Elizabethtown
Over the weekend I made a quick trip up to my summer stomping grounds E-town. You might have seen the movie Elizabethtown but I can say from experience, it is nothing like the movie makes it out to be. The simple fact that when I drive down the main strip there is not a kid riding a bike with weird looking glasses motioning to me to go this way to my cousin's house shows the difference in the movie version and the real.
Elizabethtown, for three summers was a great place to live and work. I had dreamed of coming back after graduation and living there for the rest of my life. However, I went with a larger city, which in some cases is better.
The visit was to see my second cousins, Hadley and Hayden, 5 and 3 respectively, who were both playing their first games of the season.
Amber (my fiancee) and I headed out at about 1:00 PM and got there in plenty of time to see Hayden in T-ball. The problem instead of playing it was only picture night. We drove in a rush to see him but to no avail, as he was justing getting pictures done. After eating we then went to Hadley's soccer game which was quite exciting. Three on three soccer action. Hadley for the most part either kicked dirt or ran after the group following the ball. She also did wonderful playing in the net. All in all it was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. Hayden of course wanted to go out and play with Hadley, but he will have to wait his turn in the fall before they unleash that beast on the field.
The next day, was started by having both kids come down and wake Amber and myself up at 8:00 AM. We then spent the day playing in the creek and just having a good time outside. We ate Mexican food at one of the best places in E-town to get Mexican food, Los Napoles. If in Elizabethtown, defintely stop there or El Rodeo. After our meal we then planned a grill out with the neighbors, whom over the years have become family.
Amber and I also got some pictures taken but the kids alas wanted to be in anything we were doing. The results were some really funny pics.
Sunday, of course was the sad day, the day we leave the kids and my cousin's nice house and drive back to Murray to study. Everytime I leave up there its hard to leave the smiling faces and beautiful memories.
Elizabethtown, for three summers was a great place to live and work. I had dreamed of coming back after graduation and living there for the rest of my life. However, I went with a larger city, which in some cases is better.
The visit was to see my second cousins, Hadley and Hayden, 5 and 3 respectively, who were both playing their first games of the season.
Amber (my fiancee) and I headed out at about 1:00 PM and got there in plenty of time to see Hayden in T-ball. The problem instead of playing it was only picture night. We drove in a rush to see him but to no avail, as he was justing getting pictures done. After eating we then went to Hadley's soccer game which was quite exciting. Three on three soccer action. Hadley for the most part either kicked dirt or ran after the group following the ball. She also did wonderful playing in the net. All in all it was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. Hayden of course wanted to go out and play with Hadley, but he will have to wait his turn in the fall before they unleash that beast on the field.The next day, was started by having both kids come down and wake Amber and myself up at 8:00 AM. We then spent the day playing in the creek and just having a good time outside. We ate Mexican food at one of the best places in E-town to get Mexican food, Los Napoles. If in Elizabethtown, defintely stop there or El Rodeo. After our meal we then planned a grill out with the neighbors, whom over the years have become family.
Amber and I also got some pictures taken but the kids alas wanted to be in anything we were doing. The results were some really funny pics.Sunday, of course was the sad day, the day we leave the kids and my cousin's nice house and drive back to Murray to study. Everytime I leave up there its hard to leave the smiling faces and beautiful memories.
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