Oh y’all, it is so nice to be home from vacation. Even though it was so awesome to get away, I like going home too. Anyway, if you read my vacation notes last week, then you are caught up to a point. I’m going to detail starting after that, then add some photos. I am NOT happy to be back in the office but it is quiet at least.
When we left St. Louis, we knew we had about a five and a half hour drive to Little Rock. Not too bad. We got on the road about 8:30. I am trying to recall what all we did once there. Oh, on the way we stopped at a hibachi place that was pretty good. We hadn’t had that kind of food our whole trip. This was our last city so the kids were a bit burned out. We checked into our airbnb, a big old Victorian that had been renovated, and they pretty much wanted to stay home. Ash and I hit a few breweries and went home. The next day, that hurricane blew through – just the remnants – so hiking was out. We bummed around a bit, hit some bottle shops and a dying mall, then went to a place called Flying Saucer, which was a bit of a let down. But the kids got food. We got some ice cream and then went to the art museum right near our place. The kids tolerated it; I made them pick their favorite pieces so that gave them something to do.
Ash and I went to two more breweries and that was about it. I think everyone was pretty done and we knew we had one more 8 hour drive. I took the hit on that and did the whole thing, all the way to Pensacola. We got in a little after 4 and talked to my parents, drank some Pliny the Elder (hard to find IPA), then my sister and Justin showed up and we all went to dinner. It was a really nice time and good to unwind after 2 weeks of travel! I slept pretty well that night and we got on the road early the next morning for home. SO glad to be back! I cleaned up, started laundry, did some pool cleaning, and got back into the swing of things. We had brew club that night too so there was that.
I had already decided to take Friday off so I caught up then too. Returned the vacation coolers, did grocery shopping. got Dakota some school clothes. I was mostly putting off having to go back to work! I made spaghetti for lunch and we mostly just puttered around. I did some grading and cleaning, etc. We watched movies and relaxed. Saturday and Sunday were similar, except we had about six people over to sample the beers we picked up all over the West, then our neighbors came by to catch up. Sunday we had tacos and watched England lose to Spain in the Euro final, sadly, and we watched movies. I was very happy to ease back into normal life!
So here we are, back to “normal’, still waiting to hear from any potential new jobs. If nothing else, I AM teaching in the fall. While not ideal, it’ll pay and I will be working mostly from home. I can run again!
I am including my Monday Music offering, as well as some trip photos below.
Theme: songs that make you think of sports or outdoor activities:
incognitusscriptor.com 
Thanks for sharing the vacation photos! I love seeing the pics of you and your family. It looks like fun was had by all!!
Welcome home! It sounds like a really nice trip- we have never done a long trip so I don´t know what those are like. I can see how it would be awesome to see so many places on one trip but how it would be wonderful to be home once again. Your weekend sounds nice- getting back into the swing of things and doing something fun with friends as well. I hope your Monday is going well!
Looks and sounds like an amazing get away- thanks for sharing!
You certainly rinsed every ounce of fun out of your holiday….great photos 💜💜💜
Fogerty is making the rounds today
Welcome home! The rafting looks like fun. Such good photos. When I was young, spry and limber I could do marathon trips like that. We once drove from Victoria, Texas to somewhere in middle Louisiana in one day and with two dogs. Oi! I thought was going to faint by the time we checked into the hotel. Needless to say I can’t do that anymore. So, hope y’all can rest and recover. Oh, and I’m glad you’re doing this now while traveling doesn’t hurt, like it does for us. 💙
One of those vacations that you need a vacation to recover from. I remember those well. I would echo Sparky and say do it while it doesn’t hurt. I have a feeling Centerfield is going to be popular today but it’s a great songs and deserves multiple postings. Alana ramblinwitham
Getting caught up here. You guys covered a lot of ground! I’m sure it’s good to be back as well. How was Arizona in mid-summer? I’ve heard Flagstaff is nice, Phoenix not so much.
Looks like a lot of fun and adventure, and yes, the drive from Buena to Denver sucks anytime of year. Thanks for the pics.
Flagstaff was much cooler than Phoenix – both temp wise and in terms of its charm. But Phoenix is an interesting place. I talk about the drive from in Tuesday’s post, actually.
*Thursday’s post
Well I often feel you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. Looks like a lot of fun. I did read your catch up, but have a houseful so haven’t done a lot of commenting. The rafting pics especially are great! So glad you had a good time! Welcome home!
Well I often feel you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. Looks like a lot of fun. I did read your catch up, but have a houseful so haven’t done a lot of commenting. The rafting pics especially are great! So glad you had a good time! Welcome home!
Vacations are nice but like you I’m always happy when I get back home. Y’all sure had plenty of outdoor activities. You’ll never catch me doing white water rafting. You all are brave souls (or totally insane – your pick lol) tempting fate. I’m too much of a scaredy Cathy! Hopefully, the trip refreshed your mind and body. Fabulous song pick and thanks for joining the party, my friend. Have a boogietastic week
The rafting trip looks fun!