Sorry Ladies... He's all Mine!
So, in retrospect, a two week road trip ten days after Steve's ankle surgery, may not have been the wisest choice we've ever made. But it did make for an interesting experience!
On May 16, Steve and I flew to Baltimore and rented a car. Two weeks later, we flew out again. We'd been in 8 states and 1 Canadian province and put 2,500 miles on the rental (we were determined that Thrifty Rent a Car wasn't going to make a nickel off of us!).
Despite Steve's ankle, despite the need to rent a wheel chair, despite 5 1/2 hours in the York, PA emergency room (now that was a cultural experience!), we had a wonderful trip! Steve was an amazing trooper. Every day we'd take off and explore these wonderful scenes from our church's and our nation's history... Every night Steve would unwind his bandages and find that his wound opening more and more! But Steve's sense of humor and adventure wouldn't hold him down.
A few examples of Steve's twisted brand of humor:
Day 3 found us in ER. We waited and waited. While drug addicts and newly released convicts (I kid you not) were seen and sent home, we continued to wait. Finally after more than four hours of waiting, we were assigned a room... or so we thought. We were led to "8H". 'Turns out "H" stood for "Hallway". So, we waited in the hallway for another 45 minutes. During this time Steve had time to consider though and became convinced that H actually stood for "High Priority." This is why I love this man. Through out the trip he also convinced me that all the women were jealous of me, because deep down, "every woman wants a Gimp." After pushing him in the wheelchair for two weeks (and actually losing a couple of pounds), I'm convinced he's right... it's very sexy! Especially when you get to load and unload every suitcase yourself.
In addition to spending time with the world's sexiest unipod, we saw so much that deepened our faith and our gratitude of living in this wonderful country. We spent time at Gettysburg, in Amish Country, we toured Harmony, Pennsylvania, and stood in sacred places in Fayette and Palmyra, New York. We visited Niagara Falls and Kirtland, Ohio. We spent a morning in Harpers Ferry and that afternoon at Antietam. We drove through the first area where Steve served his mission 30 years before and Steve was able to visit with some old, dear friends who took great care of him as he served there. In two days we toured Jefferson's, Madison's, Monroe's and Washington's homes. We had lunch with Brian's mission companion's parents in DC. We attended two different temples. On our last day we had a few hours to kill so we went to the world's fastest beach vacation and spent five minutes at the Jersey shore before returning to the airport. Tired, in desperate need of laundry services, and foot-sore (especially poor Steve!) but very happy.
Our wonderful Missionary Tour Guides at the Banks of the Susquehanna
Outside the Peter Whitmer Farmhouse
The Sacred Grove
Possibly the happiest day of his life... the day when Steve toured the Joseph Smith Farm on a Jazzy Scooter!
Niagara Falls
Gnome enjoying the view
Maid Of the Mist... this was a blast!
Steve preaching on the same steps where Joseph Smith once preached. Some day a bolt of lightening will find this man!
Harpers Ferry
Antietam Cemetary... Memorial Weekend
James and Dolly Madison Hanging out in their backyard.
Ahhh. The Sweet Release of a Car Nap
Mt Vernon
A funeral Cortage at Arlington Natl Cemtary
The Rowleys "Represent" at Gettysburg
The Site of Pickett's Charge
The DC temple with Tamara Lazarev...
The Jersey Shore
Last weekend we took a beautiful drive through the Pass to Bruce and Gail's. We had such a wonderful visit with cinnamon rolls (Gail totally spoils Steve), Chicken "Divin" and incredible company. One thing you can always count on with Bruce and Gail: where they are, their Grandchildren will not be far behind. Enjoying pool time with Gibson and Madison was awesome! I thought these shots were irresistible!
Back at the Eiffel Tower
Versailles
