Thursday, July 11, 2013

I'm Home!

Didja miss me?  Or didn't you notice I was MIA for three weeks?
5,853 miles.  Fifteen states (and four of those states twice).

You can read some of my daily posts below, but today I want to focus on Five Faves from those weeks of travel.
Willow's Three Weeks for Friday's Fave Five (click for the link to Susanne's blog)

1.  Safety.  All those miles and no accidents.  A couple of times I know we were spared at least a fender bender because of The Professor's excellent defensive driving and God's care and protection.

2.  The Professor and I have now visited forty-nine of the fifty states in the United States of America.  The only one we are now missing is---
Alaska.
Plans are fomenting in his big brain.
Maybe a cruise?


My forty-ninth state!

3.  Visiting historical spots.  As history freaks enthusiasts, we loved including points of historical interest in our daily destinations.


Route 66

Click here to see my post about historical places we visited related to Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Natchez Trace Parkway





Also, we visited the River Walk in San Antonio


as well as two Spanish missions
(come back later to see photos)

Yeah, we love history!

4.  Spending time with Our Boy!




You know how it is--you can only take so many photos before the inevitable happens.

5.  At the end, however, no matter how much we love to travel, how much we enjoy visiting fascinating places,
there's no place like home.

It's lovely to be back.

18 comments:

nikkipolani said...

It was terrific following along with your from-the-road photos. And very nice to have you back with us for FFF. So when are you headed for Alaska?!

Faith said...

OMGOODNESS!!!! Wait til I tell my 14 yr old that a blogging buddy went to where Laura Ingalls Wilder had her home!! She has ALWAYS wanted to go to that place!! It's on our bucket list of things to do although I was told the Laura Ingalls Wilder home is in Missouri. Hm....Will have to google that! So glad you had safe travels through all those states!! How exciting to have that kind of vacation. My husband would like us to take an Alaskan cruise for our 25th anniversary in 2 years but...I think this paying for college thing for our daughter is gonna make that impossible!! Enjoy your weekend and glad you are back!!

Tracy said...

Welcome home, Willow! So much enjoyed these scenes/stories from your travels... a great start to your summer! Fun to see you & family. :o) Hope your resting & raring to go again after days away and on the road. Happy Days ((HUGS)) ** P.S. Now posting from my new place in blogland: http://www.lifeofjoy.typepad.com/

Barbara H. said...

So glad you made all that travel with no accidents! A cruise sounds like a great way to visit that last state!

Sounds like a great combination of seeing sites and fun with family.

Susanne said...

How fun! I love historical spots too, but the rest of the family can only take so much of that. We've always wanted to take an Alaskan cruise. I've heard it's beautiful!

Love the last picture.

KAtrina @ Mama Manuscripts said...

So nice to see you! I am a little bit jealous of your traveling. I haven't been too far from home! I also am a history enthusiast so we always love to visit historical locations.

Have a lovely week!

Julene said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julene said...

We are glad you are home safe and sound! Thanks for sharing the pictures along the way! It is fun to see the kids, big and little!

ellen b. said...

Glad you are home safe and sound!!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

I think we were gone the same three weeks! We did not, however, do as many states as you. I vote for Alaska. We took an 8 day land tour that ended in a four day cruise, and that was awesome. Gave us time to really see the countryside, not just the touristy traps, and the cruise pampered us on the way home. Have a great week!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Welcome home from your wide travel adventure. I think an Alaskan cruise is the perfect solution to visiting your 50th state.

Heather said...

Sounds like a wonderful time!!! I would love to go to more states and travel! Maybe one day.

Is that Natchez Trace in Mississippi? I'm from MS if it is. Oh I have got to go look at the post on Laura Ingalls Wilder. :) I love LHOP!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a great time you must have had! Nothing better than being with family.

Hazel said...

Safe travels and lots of history - that's really wonderful! My kind of fun too. So just one more and the state tours are complete. Lovely!

P.S. I googled Laura Ingalls Wilder's home. Hmnn... something's brewing in my head.

Hazel

Bethany said...

You have me on an Ingalls kick now-- I keep turning on "Little House on the Prairie" and can't get enough of it. You also shocked me that you've never been to Alaska! I think you must go now-- I can totally see you loving it. So, how many COUNTRIES have you been to? I know it must be more than most people too!

Brenda said...

Sounds like a really fun trip, I'd like to visit all 49 states on train. I wonder if that is possible>

susan said...

Alaska is one of the states I have been to. I went to school there for 1st and 2nd grades (Anchorage). A cruise sound so lovely.

How awesome that you both share a passion for history. 15 states is quite a few to cover in one trip.

The biggest hurrays are safety and visiting with your boy!!!! The little people in our lives sure bring a LOT of joy.

Have a relaxing week home.

Marg said...

Yes, I missed you..And I enjoyed following your trip in my atlas.
Take an Alaskan cruise. You will love it...but pray for sunshine.
I agree, there is no place like HOME!