Wrap-up post

By all accounts this was a successful trip. And without question the best part of this trip was spending time with everyone.

Seeing the stuff we saw was cool. My family being as excited to see the stuff I like to see makes me happy.

Maybe my favorite moment was when I heard Cal (oldest) talking in the back seat of the car and I thought he was talking to one of his friends. Just the tone made me think he might have been on his cell talking to one of his buddies. So I asked Debbie who he was talking to and she said Beau, his brother. That was very cool.

I'm so glad Debbie talked me back into this trip. More like, "Oh we are going on this trip". It definitely wasn't a vacation for me. Driving all those miles, not getting enough sleep, not working out enough, but it was a great time.

The next long road trip I'd like to take is maybe to follow the Lewis and Clark route or at least part of it. Or a trip to Southern California like the Griswolds. Talk to you then.

Final Post

I wanted to mention each person's highlights of the trip.

Isabelle's favorite was the beach and the arch. I would also like to add gift shops of any kind, at any place.

Beau's favorite was the aquarium in Atlanta.

Cal's favorite (though he is not here right now to comment) in my opinion, was catching the rolls at Lambert's throw the rolls and the different hotels (pools, showers, mattresses, fitness centers, food, TV's, TV channels, shampoos, etc)

My favorite was definitely Folley beach in SC and singing Elvis songs and Paul Simon's "Graceland" on the way to Graceland, as well as Graceland itself.

I will let Gary post his own thoughts.

Well, I think I now know what it must have felt like to be the mother of the Partridge family, except she had a bus and we didn't do any shows (for those of you who are under 30, never mind)

2600 miles

11 states

9 nights

7 hotels

5 Brangers

1 mid-sized SUV

more memories then I can count

Priceless.

Stay-tuned, there are talks of a sequel!

We are home

We are home, rental car unpacked, rental car returned, laundry started. Trip over and it ended on a high note. Returned to St. Louis, where it all began, about 18 years ago. I am more then tired and will post my final thoughts tomorrow, but I will leave a few pictures of our return to St. Louis. For those of you who don't know, we were engaged in the arch, fun to return with our three children.

The Home Run - St. Louis to South Milwaukee

I'm posting this before we leave because I am sure I won't want to tonight. Can't wait to sleep in my own bed. Close to 400 miles today, looks like it will be dry as well. We have not seen rain the whole way. This will be a nice streak to continue.

I'll post my reflections on the trip tomorrow. Ok so no one outside our family cares (if that), but this has been a nice way for us to remember the 2008 Branger Road Trip.

Lamberts

Graceland

We made it to St. Louis. Our last night so the kids were right to the pool. From Memphis to St. Louis today. We are getting good at this, it didn't even seem that long. We did make a stop at Graceland and I agree with Gary, my expectations were very low and I really enjoyed it. It is not about the house, but more about Elvis, his life and how he lived. You also have to realize that the house was a Southern mansion in the 50's, so the standards for what is considered a mansion have definitely changed.



We saw the arch, but by the time we got here it was already closed, so we will have to go tomorrow morning before we head for home.



We also made a stop for linner or lupper if you like in Sikeston, MO at Lambert's Cafe. It is a restaurant where they are known for their rolls and when you want a roll you raise your hand and they throw it at you. Hopefully you catch it and FYI they are fresh baked and therefore Hot! You order off a menu, but they also walk around with special sides that they serve in addition to what you order, kind of family style. Today they had fried okra (a favorite of Gary's), fried potatoes, black eyed peas. Definitely an experience and as you will see from Gary's chefs salad, huge portions.



Somewhat looking forward to getting home, but not looking forward to jumping back into the routine, it has been a nice break. Alot of great family time, you learn alot about each other when you sleep in the same room together for nine nights. Tomorrow St. Louis to Milwaukee.

Almost Home - Graceland to St. Louis

We're hitting the home stretch. Last night in a hotel. This was a long fun day. Gotta say I am tired. Looking forward to taking the kids to the Arch tomorrow. Debbie will talk about Graceland, but I gotta say it was very cool to see it. This isn't about seeing a nice house. You can see much nicer properties by going to a parade of homes. This is about seeing an Elvis hall of fame. A must for anyone who even moderately likes Elvis. Maybe it was because my expectations were low. It was one of the coolest things I have ever gone to.

Memphis

First of all, I did not "break down", I merely stated in a louder than usual voice, that if they did not shut up, I was coming over the the seat and getting in between the three of them back there. I might have cried a little after I said it, but I don't think anyone noticed. It was perfectly justified under the circumstances. Any other mother on this trip would have done the same. You have very few options when you are flying down the highway at the speed of light.

Anyway, made it to Memphis today (Thank you Jesus) with a stop over in Tupelo, Mississippi, the birth place of Elvis Pressley. Interesting, you can tour the house he was born in, a chapel built in his honor, a museum and of course a gift shop.

When we got to Memphis I felt we had to have barbeque, so we got take out from Corkey's and it was good! Barbeque sandwich with the coleslaw on it, ribs, baked beans, bananna pudding, we really enjoyed it! And we got a free pecan pie because they screwed up our original order. Now we are just enjoying the happy hour at the hotel as well as the pool and arcade.

Tomorrow --In the words of Paul Simon "I have reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland!"

FYI, it was beautiful here today, about 75 and sunny.

Day 8 - 2 legs to go, Mom finally breaks...

Kind of a short leg today (after 300 yesterday) , but it was good to get to the hotel after working this morning. I'll let Debbie fill you in on Tupelo and dinner. Ok Debbie has been more patient than anyone on the trip and the kids finally put her over the edge, a little, today in the car. For some reason Isabelle didn't like the way Cal's head was looking at her while he was sleeping. "It was freaking her out". It escalated with the kids and Debbie in her role as auto referee broke down a little bit. Nothing major just hit her breaking point, talking about sitting in between them in the back seat. Of course the kids actually found this amusing which at least cleared some of there tension. For those following along, this occurred around Point B on the map above (right around mile marker 63). No one wins the pool for when this would happen because all bets were on day 3 or less.

Day 7 (March 26) route - Alabama

300 more miles heading towards home. Augusta, GA to Birmingham, AL.

more aquarium

Atlanta, GA Aquarium

Augusta, GA

We were in Augusta, GA this morning. They have a beautiful river walk on the Savannah River. We left for Atlanta at about noon and went to the Aquarium. The Aquarium is awesome and the world of Coke is next store, so we checked out the gift store. Then we were off for Alabama. We are staying in Birmingham, AL tonight. We had pizza and swimming when we got here tonight. We will leave tomorrow afternoon for Memphis, TN

Heading Towards Home - Day 6

The trip begins to turn toward home. Not exactly a direct route, but there's work to be done. Also a little warm up for the travel to come, 172 miles today and that will be 1/2 of what we drive tomorrow as we make our way to Birmingham.

Tuesday, March 25

Another Mall, another city. We spent the afternoon at a Mall in Columbia, SC while Gary worked. We also saw "Horton Hears a Who" Then we drove to Augusta, Georgia, to the Marriot Hotel that we are staying at and went to dinner at Nacho Mama. Hanging at the hotel and swimming a little tonight. It is the first day I feel exhausted, I think it is finally catching up with me. Very comfortable beds and a two room suite tonight, can't wait to sleep!

Will post more from Birminghan, AL tomorrow night after a stop in Atlanta.

Dolphins at RBs

Captured some video of the Dolphins.

A few more pictures

I wanted a decent picture with my son, but this was about the best I could get!

March 24, 2008

Gary worked today. We went to a mall this afternoon (malls are always fun) When Gary got done working we went to downtown Charleston. We saw a little park and believe it or not Cal found a pick-up basketball game with some kids that were playing there. Beau and Isabelle enjoyed playing on the different playground equipment. Then we walked along the ocean and saw some of the great old houses in Charleston. We checked out a couple of shops in Charleston and then went to dinner. We ate at RB's, a seafood place on Sullivan's Island. It was on the water and we saw porpoises swimming off the pier! The food was really good too! We didn't get back to our room until about 10:00, we are all tired.

Tomorrow we are first stopping in Columbia, SC so Gary can work. I think we are going to see "Horton Hears a Who" while he works and then we are headed for Augusta, GA where we will stay over night and then see the Atlanta Aquarium on Wednesday.

It was another good day!

Easter Brunch

We went to Easter brunch at Morgan Creek Grill on the Isle of Palms. It is on the intercoastal waterways, right on a marina, our table had a view of the water where we saw lots of BIG yachts and a few peliquins.

Tomorrow Dad is working so we are planning to go shopping and to lunch in Downtown Charleston.

Happy Easter