Chick-fil-A and home

 I think we saw billboard signs for Chick-fil-A starting in New Mexico.  The kids asked what it was and if it were any good.  I told them that I had had it in high school and I really liked it.  D said that he hears the guys on sports talk radio rant and rave about it whenever they go to a city with it.  The kids asked if we could go to one every single time we passed a billboard.  I reassured them that there was one is SLC, Utah and that we could go then.

Once we left Rawlins, the countdown was on.  Four hours until the kids and D had their first bite of Chick-fil-A.  Let me just say right now that the customer service was the best ever!!  The place was rocking with two drive throughs, guys asking us if we wanted a refill on our drinks, etc.  We giggled at how night and day it had been with the night before at Pizza Hut.  What did everyone think?  Thumbs up all around.  In fact....I got online today to see what it would take to buy a franchise.  The kids were thrilled to think that we might own a Chick-fil-A.  Not!  Just thought it might be fun.  Until next time....

Driving through Utah was beautiful and then we hit Nevada.  Remember we just wanted to get home so no state pictures there.  The mountains in Nevada were stunning.  They reminded me of the layered mountains I used to draw as a child.  I was awestruck by them.

 And then there was Las Vegas.  The thing that stuck out as we whizzed by?  S excitedly pointing her finger and saying, "Tangled's castle" of the Stratosphere.  Works for me.  :)

After driving our longest day, it was great to pull into the garage and finally be back home.  The trip had been a success.  The kids did fine all the long hours that they had been dreading.  We enjoyed being with each other.  (Most of the time.  There were periods of time where I wanted to leave a kid or two on the side of the road.)  New inside jokes and memories were made.  I found out that we can have a vacation without C. I was worried about that.

I love our country.  I love all the neat places to see, places to go and people to meet.  I'm so grateful for the last twenty years that I've been with D.  I've had the opportunity to live in all four time zones, meet wonderful people, experience new cultures, learn and grow and have gained a greater appreciation for all that our country has to offer.  I can't wait for my next road trip.  I want to take D back to Oregon.  Or maybe Dallas so that he can watch his Cowboys. There are so many places to go and experience.

So grateful for our family vacation the dreaded road trip.  It truly was an awesome trip to remember.