Our Trips in Different Directions

Faith spent this last week in Texas at Karolyi's camp. She left very excited to meet Bela and Marta, as they are icons in the Olympic world. When she got back she was full of stories of camp life. They spent about 8 hrs a day practicing gymnastics and the other hours were filled with activities of swimming, learning dances for the talent show, horseback riding, lake activities, and other fun camp things. She did come back with many new skills...which is exciting for her starting Optionals. Faith also brought back several items signed by Bela...a water bottle, Karolyi Good Luck Bear(which I loved... my little girl at heart), and a leotard. Faith said, when she was being hugged by Bela and having her picture taken, her heart was beating so fast with excitement. The only bummer for her, was this coming week Nastia Lukin, Shawn Johnson and many others were going to be at Karolyi's to train for a upcoming event. She can't wait for next year, she said she wants to go for two weeks... I better start saving now.

Bela & Faith. Her coaches from home being silly-Dan & Christain

Gregg and I also took a vacation to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was our first vacation without any of our children. We spent our first night in Savannah, Georgia. It was beautiful! And the food and people were great. We ate downtown on the Savannah river, at Huey's, where we sampled the local cuisine...yummy. I also had Beignets, which I love. The Italian's make a similar dessert called Zepole's. It is a warm piece of fluffy dough with powdered sugar. After dinner, we walked along the cobbled line streets where I busted my high heels. Luckily, no ankle injury. I ended up buying a pair of flip flops...so much easier to walk in. We also watched huge carrier ships come into port. It was amazing seeing them make it under this one bridge.

Downtown Historic Savannah

The trio of guys singing were awesome- the harmonized so well together.

The next night, we spent in Georgetown, South Carolina. The people were not nice and the food stunk! Definitely, we will pass this town up next time. I did manage to get a beautiful sunset picture though.

We spent the next few days in Myrtle Beach golfing different pro courses everyday. We played Indian Wells, Burning Ridge and Wacchaw East Plantation. They were all beautiful and challenging.

We stayed at the Springmaid Hotel on the 6th floor. We had great views and the beach was just below our hotel. Gregg and I enjoyed walking in the evening looking for sea shells. One night, a storm came in quickly and there was going to be a wedding rehearsal. In one quick gust of wind, half their chairs went down.

I also got to cross another item off my list of things I want to do. I have para-sailed in Mexico and bungee jumped from my ankles over a pond. Gregg took me on a helicopter ride. It was so much fun and I sat next to Jack in the front seat. We talked through our microphone headsets. I am hooked! I would love to go again. Now, if I can just talk him into letting me parachute from a plane. He doesn't trust anyone enough to let me go, and I don't think the Army will let me be a guest for a day.

On the way home we stopped in Jacksonville, Florida because we were having golf withdrawals. I looked up this place on our Garmin. At first, we were a little nervous. The area was not so good and I think we were the only white people in the neighborhood. I am sure they saw our license plate and thought for sure the dumb Oregonians were lost. I am not a prejudiced person, so I could care less if we didn't fit in. It was called First Tee and we had so much fun on this course. It was like playing in your backyard. You had to guess where the golf paths were and the holes weren't really marked. The people who ran the course were fantastic and accommodating. I would love to go back. We found out the course was used primarily for kids struggling with criminal backgrounds. Funny, it was located right next to the work release center. They had guys that mentored these kids. The rules were posted on the cart, which included dress attire and in bold letters no foul language...so I whispered(LOL). Golf is not relaxing like people say. It is frustrating at times and you get a work out in. Especially, balls you shank into bushes, tree lined areas and ponds. Overall, our trip was fantastic. Gregg and I got to spend some quality time together. Now, I have to do the all the laundry in two days and repack. We pick up our son, Elliott on the 1st and then we head to the Keys for the 4th of July. Hurrah, another adventure.