My Life is a Reality Show...: Vacation Time!! Day 1!

Since we had to put so much money into getting our pool going again this year, we decided to make our summer vacation back to the Crystal Coast to visit with my in-laws. It is actually a very nice trip.

When my in-laws moved closer to home from FL (their original choice of retirement), they built a house that was purposely to house us for our visits. Their bedroom is on the right side of the house and we have a whole wing on the left for our big family. They love to make us home cooked meals which my hubby misses very much with them being so far away now....plus, we have a few nights of non-eat out nights which means more money in our pocket :)

Our house is complete madness the day that we leave. You would think after taking a few trips a year every year for the past 21 years, we would get everything packed and out the door we would go. Yeah, right! The night before, everything is in the suitcases and closed up. The next morning, you would think we were going to a deserted island somewhere and the kids have to throw in everything possible to make this stay as pleasant as humanly possible. Cords for electronics, blankets, pillows (don't forget that huge plush unicorn that my 6 year old daughter insists on having) Finally, house sitter arrives, 7 kids have been counted, prayers have been said and we are on our way!

Roadside attractions along the way and while we are there makes this an interesting, fun and most importantly, bargain trip!

First stop,,,.New River Gorge, FREE.

My husband and I have been here many times, but only the first 4 kids have visited. My oldest son, Cameron even stopped here this year as part of his High School Band Trip, We took a walk down the ramp for a wonderful view. Got a few shots and was very tempted to head down the large amount of stairs for a closer pic, but being 30 weeks pregnant doesn't allow me much strength to head back to the top.

Thank goodness for my very healthy (and in shape) sons who took my camera down and got a few for me. The gift shop had postcards which is always nice. The story behind the postcards...when my first son was born, he wanted me to buy some sort of stuffed toy for an outrageous price that would surely make its way into the yard sale bin for a dime. I compromised by buying him a postcard with a photo of the area we visited and wrote any comments (funny things he said while there, things he liked, etc..) on the other side along with the date we went. This way, he would look back one day and have memories to share. He ended up loving the idea and it has since become a souvenir for everywhere we go. Only it used to be a .49 souvenir and now it has turned into a $3.50 souvenir. Still better than a $5 whoopie cushion with a pic of a monkey on the side....

We decided to continue our love for Geocaching and grabbed our first one while at New River Gorge. Reiner, my 10 year old very good at finding and grabbed this one pretty quick.

Second stop....Tamarack, FREE.

It has been years since we have been here. I believe that Greg and I are the only ones who have been here so this was a first for all of the kids. Besides wanting the kids to see this unique place full of WV handmade art, there was a "Roadside Attraction" to check out. This one was kind of different....being both funny and with a story. "Armpit Sniffing Statue" 1995 bronze set in a boulder commemorates the Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster. Hundreds of workers succumbed to silicosis after digging a 3-mile long water diversion tunnel in starting in 1927. The shirtless figure appears to be sniffing his own armpit. What a crazy statue!

My son is spot on, what do you think?

We love the beauty that comes with Tamarack, inside and out! Aren't these glass pieces gorgeous?!!

Love this metal tree....not sure $23,000 love, but still love, no doubt!

We even had the pleasure of coming across a few paintings done by a high school friend of mine, Seth Hill and wooden furniture made by a friend of Greg.

Here was a bonus on a hot day...a fountain!!!