July 1: Mark took the early train on Monday to Stuttgart for work. This is Tuesday, and we are supposed to follow by car this afternoon because our flight to the States leaves from there on Wednesday morning. Naturally, the hot water heater went out last night, so instead of hitting the road, I spent the morning on the phone and the afternoon waiting for the repairman, who couldn't come until 7 p.m.

I also discovered my ID card was missing, and after several frantic moments, realized I left it behind at the shoppette the day before. I was so relieved when I called, and it was there! What a day and what a way to begin our travels

In the afternoon, I decided to bake cookies, since all the packing and last minute things were done. So our delay brought the added benefit of three bags of chocolate chip cookies for the road, and one for the repairman. 

July 2: Flew out of Stuttgart to Frankfurt, where our flight was delayed for two hours, meaning we will definitely miss our connection from Boston to Charlotte. So I had to spend some time sitting at Starbucks -- Tragic!

At 11, 14 and 17, our kids are easy to travel with. That is a nice change, and I have sympathy for the young moms I see pushing strollers and lugging car seats.

While waiting in line at the Lufthansa counter to ask about our connecting flight, I met a retired military couple who were returning from visiting their son and his family stationed at SHAPE. The man was a retired naval aviator, a veteran of WWII and Vietnam. He was the son, as well as the father, of a military man. His father, he said, was also a pilot, who served in WWI around 1917.

We just talked, passing the time in the long line, about the importance of knowing history. This was appropriate, since he had also served in the history department at the Naval Academy. I had already sneaked a peak at their luggage tag and saw their address was in Annapolis. He was happy to talk, and she was quiet, smiling especially when mentioning her children and grandchildren.

"They love their mother," he quipped, "and they tolerate me."

As military families we have so much to be proud of. 

July 2: After a long flight over the ocean, we arrived in Boston, barely making the connection, even to our rescheduled flight. In fact, we would have missed it if it had not been delayed as well. Another two hours, and we were in Charlotte. Family met us at the airport at about 10:30 p.m. their time. They'd had a long day too, having been at the airport three times since 5:30, when we were supposed to show up.

By then we had been awake and traveling --or waiting around in airports -- for about 24 hours. No wonder it feels like tomorrow today. Back home in Germany, it already is.

Polished off most of the cookies, the rest were reduced to a gooey lump by being dragged, thumped and bumped in our backpacks all day and night.

Fourth of July: A great day to be in the U.S. We're staying with my husband's sister and family. Their neighborhood has its own Fourth of July parade, so we started the day sitting in lawn chairs on the tree-lined street watching a parade of kids on bicycles with red, white and blue streamers (including our nephew) families pushing strollers and walking dogs wearing red bandanas. The parade was led by a police car ("That's our neighbor," my sister-in-law said, pointing out the the police officer) and a fire truck, and also included some neighbors waving from classic cars and throwing bubble gum and candy.

In the afternoon, more members of the extended and blended family came over to enjoy the backyard pool, the barbecue, Granny's homemade potato salad, watermelon and apple pie.

After it got dark, the kids lit up sparklers with their cousins and we watched them, silhouetted in the bright lights from the fireworks set off by the neighborhood dads and some daring teenagers in the cul-de-sac.

I know you're thinking I made this up, but we really did it. (Dads did the barbecuing, and Granny really did make the potato salad, but Mrs. Smith made the pie!)

Oh, and I saw three fireflies.

God Bless America! 

After a week of spending time with the Barnes side of our family -- shopping at Target and Wal-Mart (exciting for those who have been in Europe for two years) dinners at home together, dinners out together and drinking coffee on the back patio in the morning -- we are on the road again, my husband and three children and me.

Today we drove through portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and now we are in south Georgia. We are staying overnight in a town where we were stationed for three years. It has been fun driving through our old neighborhood and around town, seeing what has changed in four years, and what has not.

Another thing we hope to accomplish on our cross-country trek are college visits. So far, we have spent time at North Carolina State in Raleigh, and Georgia Tech in Atlanta. We also stopped for lunch at The Varsity, an 80-year-old drive in, not far from the Tech campus and an Atlanta institution. We had some great burgers and hot dogs, and Varsity specialties, onion rings and FO's (Frosted Orange.) Delicous, a little greasy and pure American.

Trip stats:

Days: 9

Countries: 2

Flying miles: About 4,000 

States: 4

Driving miles: About 510

Colleges visited: 2

Iced Caramel Macchiatos enjoyed: 4 (not counting one that got spilled at Logan Airport in Boston, because I didn't get to enjoy that one.)

July 11: Just two words -- Disney World!

Later: Two more words -- thunder -- storm!

We had fun for several hours in the Magic Kingdom, but it was cut somewhat short, not by the rain, but thunder and lighting. Most of the rides were closed, so we went home a sad, bedraggled bunch. But we were there. Now we have been to every Disney except the one in Hong Kong. We have decided that we can skip that one. After a while, they all start to look alike.

It's a Small World after all!

July 15: Also the 15th birthday of my daughter. You might think that she is not thrilled to be on the road for her birthday -- you would be correct.

In spite of spending last Friday at Disney World (her special request) which we enjoyed -- until the thunderstorm -- naturally, she would much rather be celebrating back home with her friends. Instead we are in a hotel in Alabama. 

She is a military kid with a PCS-season birthday, so she has celebrated her birthday in a few hotels or in new empty houses, often without the friends she had yet to meet.

Two years ago, she had her birthday lunch in a castle (not the one at Disney World) but was she a happy princess? Not exactly, because we had just moved halfway around the world from California to Germany, and there she was without friends to celebrate with her. Last year she did have a sleepover/costume/theme party with a crowd of girls.

However, that does not gain me any mom-capital for this year's birthday. We are not moving this summer but traveling to visit our family and friends in several states, touring a few colleges and taking care of driver's training -- some of the necessities that become your summer vacation when you live overseas.

This stop in Alabama is work-related for my husband. He has a TDY here, which happens to start today. Since Dad goes back to Germany and back to work from this stop, while the rest of us continue our westward journey, we made a stop here for a birthday celebration. So at least she doesn't have to spend her birthday sitting in the car, as we spent several days last week.

We'll have a day of American shopping and mall-hopping. Ironically, this is what she would have liked two years ago, but this year when she blows out the candle on her store-bought cake she'll be wishing she was back in Germany.

Today we leave Alabama and head west across Mississippi to Louisiana.

Here's the trip update:

Days: 16

Countries: 2

Flying miles: About 4,000 

States: 6

Driving miles: About 1,590 

Number of Iced Caramel Macchiatos enjoyed (still not counting that one in Boston): 6

Number of opportunities we passed up to purchase Bonsai trees, moccasins, arrowheads, boiled peanuts and antiques: All of them.

Cheapest Gas: $3.83 just across the border from Florida into Alabama

July 17: Yesterday, the traveling team split up. My husband had to stay in Alabama for his TDY and then fly back to Germany, while the kids and I continued our westward journey.

As you can see from Jessie's posts, she would have liked to go as a stow-away with Dad. However, the four of us set out on our own, arriving yesterday afternoon in Mandeville, LA, just north of Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans.

We are staying at the home of my best friend, Nancy. We are staying with her family, the Adams, whom we have known and loved since we were stationed together when our kids were little. Since then we have met as often and wherever we can.

Trip Stats:

Days: 17

Countries: 2

Flying Miles: About 4,000

States: 8

Driving Miles: About 1,890

Cities and countries where we have traveled with the Adams family:

Phoenix, Seattle/Tacoma, San Francisco, Honolulu, Paris, Korea, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Montgomery, Ala., Valdosta, Ga., Shreveport, La., Germany and tomorrow .... New Orleans

In spite of predictions that we would melt in the heat of New Orleans in July, we survived and had a great time seeing some of the city. Here are some highlights:

Riding the newly reopened streetcars through the Garden District, past beautiful old homes, cemeteries with distinctive mausoleums, Loyola and Tulane universities and down Canal Street toward the river and the French Quarter. $1.25 buys you a ride as long as you want to go in one direction, and another 25 cents gets you a transfer to another line.

Lunch at the Camellia Grill: About 60 years old and full of personality, including that of our waiter, Michael, who gave us each a fist bump and said "Feel the love" before taking our order. All the seating is at the counter, and the watching the orders of other customers being taken and filled is part of the mealtime entertainment. In our group, we tried the burgers, fries, onion rings, the "Yankee Special" and the pecan pie (one piece, five forks -- we were full but had to try it.) Everything was delicious, and we were ready to go catch the streetcar and continue the trip.

Calliope tunes: We got off the streetcar at banks of the Mississippi River. There was a nice breeze and we walked along the River Walk. The Natchez Queen, a river boat with paddle wheel, a la Huck Finn, was on the banks. A musician was on the top deck playing songs like "Strike Up the Band" and "76 Trombones" on the calliope.

The French Quarter: We reached Decatur Street and walked along it soaking in the atmosphere, wrought-iron railings, strains of jazz music, and of course the summer heat. We were soaking up plenty of that, so a stop at the Cafe Du Monde for iced coffee and beignets was perfect. We went next door to try Aunt Sallie's Creole Pralines. If we hadn't been so full, we could have stopped at the Central Grocery for its famous muffuletta, because we walked right by the landmark store. (One of my children wants to go back just so we can have one!) We also took a turn through the French Market to see the colorful selections of Mardi-Gras beads, hats, purses, jewelry, t-shirts and other essential tourist supplies. (But I did my shopping at Aunt Sallie's -- yum!)

People watching on the streetcars: Nancy has a knack for talking to strangers. At one stop on Canal Street a group of people wearing matching t-shirts got on and began asking the driver about a good place to eat. Somehow the subject of where they were from came up. "Memphis," was the answer. "I grew up in Memphis!" exclaimed Nancy. Until that point, we were not part of the conversation, but that state of affairs never lasts long with Nancy.

"Why did you leave?" one lady asked her. "Well, I left it for love," answered Nancy, whose husband is from Louisiana. "You shoulda been lovin' Memphis," responded another woman good-naturedly. "You left the love behind you, honey" laughed the man sitting next to her.

On the next leg, the car was crowded, we were separated, so Nancy had a prime opportunity for striking up more conversations. She told me later that she asked the man next to her if he was riding home from work.

"Just ridin' " was his answer.

"So this is a pleasure trip?" Nancy asked.

"Some people call it that," was his reply.

What a joy it was to have you and your children here at our home! Our only regret is that your husband was not there!

We had such a fun time catching up, as it is always easy to pick up wherever we left off last! You are such a great friend and I enjoy your company so much. I am so thankful that the Air Force, in it way of always separating friends, keeps bringing us together. I love watching our list of meeting places grow and grow and look forward to what will be on the list next! Maybe somewhere in South America! I have never been there! How about you? Better yet, lets shoot for the east coast...how about North Carolina? I hear St. Mary's Harbor is nice.

Love ya, girl!

Nancy

July 23: Left our friends in Louisiana, and due to my own scheduling glitch, realized I had an extra day before we were expected by our friends in the Fort Worth, Texas, area.

We headed for Shreveport, expecting to spend the night there or in Tyler, Texas, but once we were in Texas, I realized I was only a few more hours from my hometown in Oklahoma, so we decided to go all the way there, and then return to Texas for the weekend, as planned.

A "shortcut" around Dallas, ended up adding more than an hour to the trip, so 13 hours later, we were knocking on Nana and Pawpaw's door. We spent two relaxing days there, and it was good to be "home."

Trip Stats:

Days: 23

States: 10 (Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma) 
Driving Miles: About 2,640  
Iced Caramel Macchiatos enjoyed: 8 (I counted one frozen latte from Cafe Du Monde, which was sooooo good!) 

Crazy changes in travel plans: 1  

July 26 through 29: As planned this weekend, we traveled to Texas, where three of my college roommates live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I stayed with one of my former roommies and her children at their home in North Richland Hills. We also took our combined six children on a road trip to our alma mater, Baylor University in Waco, Texas. I had planned to do the tour for my oldest two, who are in high school -- a little plug for good old BU. We had a great time buying shirts in the bookstore, visiting the bears, walking around campus, enjoying the old and the new.

That night we returned to her home, where we left the kids with pizza and movies and met two more roomies for dinner. We sat at an Italian restaurant for about four hours, talking and laughing, probably annoying diners at nearby tables and our waitress -- who took (and re-took) pictures for us. ("Oh no! My eyes were closed!")

All too soon, it was time to go. We only wished the fifth member of our roommate crew was not so far away in Kansas City.

Yesterday, my children and I returned to my Mom's house in Oklahoma. Our big travel days are over. We will be in Oklahoma until it's time to start the journey home after my sister's wedding in about two weeks. Now our big trips will be between Altus and Okahoma City, known around here as "The City." 

Trip stats:

Days: 29

Miles traveled: 3,240

Colleges visited: 4 (North Carolina State, Georgia Tech, Louisiana State University, Baylor University)

Iced Caramel Macchiatos enjoyed: 12, including one at Baylor. What's not to love about a college with its own Starbucks?

August 2: This weekend we are in Oklahoma City visiting my sister who is in the middle of planning her wedding. I came with two of my children (the youngest opted to stay and be spoiled at Nana's house, go figure!) The oldest is taking driver's education classes here in "the City" another important piece of business to take care of while we are in the States.

While my son is in class, my daughter and I are running around doing wedding errands with the bride-to-be. I think this trip is more fun for us than for him.

Trip Stats:

Days: 33

Driving Miles: 3,510

Cheapest Gas: $3.43 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Hours endured by teenaged son in driver's training classroom: 10

Tuxedo measurements taken: 2 sets from head to toe

High-heeled shoes purchased to match beautiful dress for my daughter to wear to the wedding: 1 pair

Iced Caramel Macchiatos enjoyed: About 16 -- I know, I'm really racking them up.

August 9: Forty days and forty nights. I'm starting to feel like Noah -- but without the ark, and with way fewer animals. In place of the ark, however, we have sailed across country in my mother-in-law's Cadillac, which she kindly loaned us for our trip.

In place of the animals, two by two, I have my trio of children. They travel pretty well, but we all are ready to see the "dry land" of home and life without suitcases. Poor Noah! At forty days, his voyage was only beginning. Ours is just ten days from over.

Back in Oklahoma City this weekend for two more driving classes and three days with my dad, plus a barbecue with my sister and her family, and one night at my grandmother's house along the way.

Trip Stats:

Days: 40

Miles traveled: About 3,600 (need to stop and add it up)

Iced Caramel Macchiatos enjoyed: Stopped counting, but I'm having one now! 

August 16: Today my baby sister got married with plenty of family and friends in attendance. I laughed and cried -- along with my mom and sisters -- ate wedding cake, and danced. I saw all of my sisters' children and my children in the same place at the same time for the first time since some were babies.

It was a beautiful day -- not without its crises, just like every wedding. But at the end of the day, the result is the same: Mr. and Mrs.

My husband performed part of the ceremony. Mark and I celebrate our 23rd anniversary tomorrow, and the sister who was the bride today was a flower girl that day. It was a great day -- then and now.

Tomorrow, the trek home begins. We return to North Carolina and fly off for Germany on Tuesday.

Days: 46

Flying miles: About 4,000

Driving miles: Just under 4,000

Wedding crises averted: Two or three

Handsome sons wearing tuxedos: 2

Beautiful daughter in taffetta: 1

Photos taken: Too many to count 

Dry eyes at the wedding: Very few

August 20: Day 50

We arrived this morning at home, sweet home. After 50 days of travel and flying all night to get here, our own house was a sight for sore eyes.

We bask in the luxury of the space we call our own. There's nothing like being far away to help you appreciate your own home, even when it is in a foreign country.

Travel stats:

Days: 50

Countries: 2

Flying miles: 8,000

States: 12 (Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma -- on the return trip, we added two more to the list, Arkansas and Tennessee.)

Driving miles: About 5,000 on the highway, most of them courtesy of Granny's Cadillac -- also including miles driven to and from the airport in Germany.

Colleges visited: 4

Family members visited: All of them on both sides of the family -- including, three sets of grandparents, one great-grandparent, four aunts complete with one uncle each and ten cousins, plus quite a few new family members we had not met before and just for good measure, a great aunt and uncle.

Fights with my sister: Only one

Hours spent in driver's training by teenaged son: 16

Driver's permits earned by same son: One!

Iced Caramel Macchiatos: Way too many, including a last hurrah in the Logan Airport in Boston to make up for the one that got spilled.

School shopping done: All of it

Nana's apple pies: Two

Different beds slept in: 12

... that's why I'm so happy to be back in my own. Jet lag weighs down my eyelids and my pillow calls. I'm nodding off in front of the computer ... Good night!

Welcome back home! and thank you so much for taking a stop at our house! It was such a joy to have you here! It brought back a flood of sweet memories and created new ones of our children, much bigger! I don't know if your son will be a Baylor Bear or an LSU Tiger or a Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket but anyway that I look at it, I am hopeful of seeing you again next summer! Sleep good! Love, Nancy