Road Trip 2013 – Part 7 – Going Home

After North Carolina we heading back towards home. We planned to stop in Orange Beach Alabama one night and then get home late Friday night. Of course while we were in North Carolina a hurricane popped up in the gulf, but luckily for us (though not others) it heading in towards Florida.

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We crossed a state border 16 times on our trip. Bethany slept for probably 11 of those. That's good, but it also means you miss some of the best rest stops and fancy signs.


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We did make it to Orange Beach, and while there was no hurricane there were some strong currents. We played a lot on the beach though.


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Levi bringing in water for sand castle building.


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A selfie from Kendra


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Bethany watching the waves and activity


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Kendra's view


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Little miss looking cool in her shades


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Little miss needing some pacifier time because she doesn't like her shades.


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When we go to the beach we dig big holes.


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Levi was enjoying leaving footprints.


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Looking for shells was fun too.


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Being silly in Bethany's sunglasses.


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Man I need to lose weight.


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Fancy sun shading hats


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Bethany experiencing the beach for the first time.


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Why is it wet?


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She was screaming about the tiny bit of the wave that touched her.


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This was her first dip in an ocean.


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Not so sure


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About the scream for mommy to save her


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Happier now that she's up.


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She was getting tired at a point and so the fuss was strong.


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In the pit


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Bright sun makes it hard to see


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Playing in the waves


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He got nailed by one and I had to scoop him up, but we had fun for the most part.


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The beach and our hotel on the left.


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The girls again


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This is me saving him from a big wave


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Taking him out to splash some.


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Looking at Florida (its only like 5 miles)


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Looking at Alabama


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Smiles


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Smiles and a fuss.


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Levi in the Castle


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Sleepy baby passed out on me while we walked a bit.


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After we did the beach we rinsed off and did the pool. This was Bethany's first time in a pool I think. She liked it.


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She was sleepy though.


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Silly grins.


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Oooh, a camera.


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She did really well in the pool, even laying flat on her back, something most babies hate.


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Getting packed up to head out. She fit perfect by the ice chest.


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One last look at a nice beach.


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Cheesy smile


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Stretching the baby into the air


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Posing for a picture


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getting a geocache in Florida


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Right at the border.


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He likes it until we have to start driving 8 hours. Notice the sleeping baby in the mirror


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Back into Alabama, where I'm governor.


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Passing through Mississippi


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They have beautiful sculptures made from reclamed wood at the rest stop. This is an Eagle


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A crab


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A horse head (how very Godfather) and a shark

We had a great vacation and needed a weekend to recover. We still haven’t finished unpacking some things. Our kids did a great job road tripping and I’m sure we’ll do it again. I’d like to thank Toyota for making a nice dvd player and video screen in the van with RCA inputs and Nintendo for the Wii and Smash Brothers, without which our trip may not have succeeded.

 

Posted in Beach, Bethany, Levi, Trips, Vacation Tagged with: , , , , ,

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