Hello all!

We have returned from our 7-week, 10,400 mile camping adventure across this beautiful country of ours. Our route was roughly Eureka, CA - Spokane, WA - Yellowstone - Mt Rushmore - Badlands - Great Lakes - Niagara Falls - Cape Cod - Boston - Jersey Shore - NYC - DC - Great Smoky Mts - Dalass, TX - Carlsbad Caverns - White Sands - San Clemente, CA - Eureka. With stops in between.

We were followed by thunderstorms most of the trip, but usually had time to set the tents up before it started to rain. The storms made for great skies, cooler temps and some excitement!

My wife flew home from Dallas to go back to works, using some frequent flier miles..this allowed up to spend more time with relatives on the East Coast.

My parents live in San Clemente, so we spent a week there playing in the ocean, lots of body surfing, etc...nice way to end the trip. While there, my brother sent my boys into t he attic to look for dead rats -- and Calder mis-stepped and fell through the ceiling and flat onto his back in the bathroom below -- and right at the feet of my mom (87 yrs old) who was on the toilet. All were lucky. A trip to the ER and X-rays and cat scan showed nothing broken. Calder is just starting to be free of all pain, two weeks later.

But over-all, the boys enjoyed the trip and did well traveling so far. I think it was a good experience for them...and for us parents, too. We had a great tour of the Capitol Building in DC through our Congressman. The two days we spent in New York City were exciting. Watching a thunderstorm approaching from over Lake Ontario at sunset was wonderful. Having a Yellowstone geyser erupt in front of us was neat as were the bison. Even bucking hay for my Brother-in-law in Spokane was fun. A great trip!

Hope everyone's summer has been fun. Those with new kiddos have a lot to look forward to -- taking the kids exploring the country also opens ones own eyes!

Vaughn and the ABC Boys
Alex, Bryce, & Calder
3-31-97 @ 28.5 weeks
http://s515.photobucket.com/albums/t356/vaughn3abc/

WB Vaughn.

What an eventful summer. One thing is for sure, the kids will never forget it. All the camping and great places will be imprinted in their thoughts long past the upcoming school year.

Knowing that Calder is okay, it must be said that I nearly fell on the floor laughing at the image of your mother and a boy falling through the bathroom ceiling to her feet. In all her 87 years, she's probably never seen anything like it!

Am glad you are all back, safe - sound - and ready for the changing seasons.

(And am so jealous of the rain following you around. We haven't had a drop since June.... have almost forgotten what it looks, sounds, and feels like).

Rick

BBG - 2 years and counting

Thanks, Rick. It was probably one of the most educational summers we have had.

The boys had their 7th grade/Jr High orientation today -- it is going to be a big year for them! They start on Monday!

Vaughn

Vaughn,

You guys live in Eureka? I love traveling by car. It will be so much fun driving the kids across country and visit all the historical and scenic places. Definitely educational and entertaining! Congratulations and welcome back! Should you visit the San Francisco Bay area, let me know. We can grab dinner somewhere. Lots of good Chinese restaurants here.

Arthur