After a few days of R&R around the house and town, we also got to go on an adventure with V&B to kayak the Crystal River.
Due to a bit of fabrications told by the kayak rental company we went with, we ended up not just floating the river as most people do but paddling upstream for over 5 miles in order to gently float back down the way we came.
Every other paddler we encountered would remark something like "you know you are going the wrong way, right?" or "Had to make the rest of us look lazy by doing the hard work, huh?" as we passed. But, I am glad that we did it that way, even with all the funny looks, because we had a great time.
We had the majority of the waterways to ourselves since we were not with the "regular crowd", we got to see a lot of wildlife (including over a dozen manatees swim below our boats), AND we worked for every bit of the pleasure.
Entertaining side note: Karl & I and Vicki & Bernie have a trend of loving the same cars from MR2 to Honda Elements! So, Ele also met her much cleaner doppelganger.
No matter how wonderful the time is with family, for us to be truly "In Our Element" we need to be back on the road. So, off to Georgia we go. Utilizing that fact that Tire Rack has a warehouse on our route, we got Ele some new shoes and dropped her off with the new additions to a Honda dealer for the day to be fitted and get all the necessary fluids done. Hey, she is our transportation, safe haven, and home, we have to treat her well.
Yet, once again, you don't always get want you want (or even need...) when letting others do the work for you. Keep in mind, Karl would prefer to do the work himself yet is not able to do so on the go. Therefore we keep assuming the dealerships would be the next best option but they always seem to disappoint. (Seriously though, what car place does not put new valve stems on when mounting a new tire? Oh Well...) While in the area, not wanting to say that we only hung out at the mall around the Honda Dealership we went to walk about the historic river banks of Savannah. At our own risk, of course.
Next stop = South Carolina. Not only is there a National Park to explore (more on that in another blog post) but there are friends and BABIES to visit! Jess is one of those friends that no matter the time or distance between physical visits the conversation picks right back up as if we hung out daily. You know, the friends that are pretty much family but just not in name.
But, this occasion was special because it was the first time we got to meet Ms. Heyleigh in person and we took advantage by influencing the lil human to be just like us...
Karl was teaching her how to drive with style.
And, of course, we went for a hike together in the great outdoors!
From helping with yard work. (FYI... Heyvis, you jumping as if this frog was going to eat you was hysterical!)
To attempting to have an Easter "Pinterest" style photo shoot with friends.
Every moment spent with Jess's family was heartwarming. The friendship, fun, and love was over flowing and every snap of a photo testified to that fact.
Oh, and we experienced yet another FIRST... They took us to a Waffle House to complete the southern experience!
Going with the catching up with family trend and a bit of back tracking to Georgia again, we squeezed in a visit with Karl's cousin Craig and his wife, Alexandra.
These two have the busiest work and life schedules, but they graciously made time for us and every moment from long conversations by the fire, to walks outside, to puppy loving was worth it.
A plethora of advice on what to do on the way to our next destination was supplied and even got its own name: "Our Craig's List". Hikes and waterfalls galore, all making the drives much more entertaining!
Karl's little sister, Madison, is a student at James Madison University and we just happened to be in the area without her knowledge. With the conniving help of Karl's dad and the alias of "Mr. & Mrs. Parks", Madison was convinced that her dad just had some random old friends that wanted a private tour of the campus. Somewhat grudgingly, she agreed to meet this mysterious oddity of Mr & Mrs Parks, who just happened to be the only people who don't have working cell phones of their own, on the lawn outside of her dorm building after a regularly scheduled tour.
The plan was in place, and then the hilarity ensued.
At first, as we approached the grassy lawn leading up to Madison's building, spotting her from a distance out in the sun with friends. Casually we walked by. She did not even glance up at us.
We sat on a bench in the courtyard, she extracted herself from her friends and walked right by us yet again on her way to the door to her dorm.
With a prompted phone call from her dad insisting that Mr & Mrs Parks were probably there waiting to meet her, she came back out along the sidewalk. Karl, still sitting on the bench, kept his back to her while I sat on the garden wall and just straight up starred her down.
Madison, at first, did the small nod and quick "hello" of acknowledging another person and smiled kindly. But, she did not register who I was... at all.
So, extremely entertained at this point, I just kept smiling wider and wider (trying not to laugh) and refused to break eye contact or say a word. The friendly demeanor on her face shifted slightly as confusion and some announce set in, almost like a "who the hell is this freak starring at me?"
The moment of awkward joy arrived as she finally took her focus off of me and glanced forward. While she was fastening her step in attempt to avoid any further weird interactions with the odd starring girl, her gaze landed on Karl. Within seconds and a stuttering in her step, her head jerks towards my direction again for a longer second analyzing look and then her eyes swiftly dart back and forth quickly between the two of us, grasping what she sees.
You could see the light bulb go off as she realized who was really before her. That is when the ear splitting squeal that everyone within miles could have heard erupted from her as she instantaneously melted into a heap right there on the sidewalk. I'd say the surprise was in fact shocking to her.
Phone, keys, purse, and self was puddled in the courtyard in disbelieve as Karl and I could only laugh. Then even faster than her melting action, she popped up and was hugging, as if touching us was the only way she could make sure we were really there. It was epic. Madison, I do have to say, I do not believe I have ever had anyone ever be so excited to see me. Your reaction was priceless and my only regret is that I wish with filmed it!
Once the shock was over, Madison showed us around the campus' gardens. Then Karl, in true big brother fashion, took Madison out for a nice dinner and drinks.
Not wanting to be too bad of an influence, we only got to spend a few hours catching up with Madison as she had RA duties and college finals to get ready for. But hopefully, the memory of that comical meet up is as precious to her as it was to us. A few hours later, we were at Karl's Dad's front door, just in time for Easter weekend.
There is something about going to a parent's place even beyond the sense of having a place of comfort and relaxation without expectation. Yes, we get fed a lot and are unlimited with hot showers and laundry and are spoiled with things like HBO and Netflix again but you could tell Karl was just happy to hang out with his Dad and Carol, as our visits with them are few and far between. I was most entertained by what I can only describe as Karl's "Hey Dad, Look at ME!" moments throughout the time there. For example, Karl bringing out all of our climbing gear and trying to prusik up a tree in the backyard.
While most of the family was happy that Karl was around, one member of the family had mixed emotions.
Gracie is an adorable boston terrier pup that is just a down right adorable bundle of energy, yet she was never sure if she wanted to be friends with Karl or not. One second they would be playing, the next Gracie would avoid him like the plague. It was all good, cause Gracie liked me and that is all that matters really...
On my request, we also went to visit the new REI Flagship store in Washington DC.
REI and a historic building where the Beatles once preformed, how could I resist?
No matter the celebration, it is nice to spend a holiday with others, especially friends and family. While our antisocial on the road life style lacks that personal connection at times, we attempt to make up for it when possible thanks to those to take us in without blinking an eye. This particular gathering certainly left an impression... our first Greek Easter! (and all that that included)
From the tradition of cracking the red eggs with others,
to the downing of the clear yet lethal drink that we were told was some type of homemade alcohol,
to the roasting of the lambs (the smell was intoxicatingly delicious),
to the adventurous finger-licking task of consuming ALL the parts. Guts, brains, tongue, and eye balls included. (Would you do it?)
It was an Easter to remember... Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the day. καλό Πάσχα!
This trip began as a chance for us to see what magnificent places our country has to offer us, and that is usually what most of you come to read the blog about... the places.
But, I do have to say, it really has been the people that have made our trip so rewarding. Without our family, or friends that are so close that they could be family, or trail families we've gathered along the way this experience would not be the same.
I can't say it better so I'll just leave you with this...
We are family, Get up everybody and SING:
"Living life is fun and we've just begun
To get out share of this world's delights
High, high hopes we have for the future
And out goal's in sight...."
Well, you know how the song goes ;)
<3 S
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