Friday Dec 17
Woke up at 3:30am, slept in the car. Woke up at 7am towards the end of Harrisburg and beginning of Maryland.
Our first rest stop was West Virginia. Dad took a power nap and he stretched.
Afterwards we made it half way to Roanoke before we stopped at another rest stop. The bathrooms and area were very clean.
We stopped at the out skirts of Roanoke for lunch. We had McDonald’s. It was delicious.
Finally after a long day, we made it to Knoxville. We had dinner at Arbys then made it to the hotel.
Saturday December 18th
We drove from Knoxville, Tennessee to Dallas, Texas. During the long fifteen hour drive, we stopped to stretch and get something to eat. It was a rainy drive but we made it alive. After we settled into the hotel, we drove a short distance to see where the Village Church was located. From the outside it looked massive. We got sonic for dinner and fell asleep.
Sunday December 19
We got up early for church. Got to attend a wonderful service with worshipful music. The sermon was really good and I was able to understand what He was saying.
Did some touring in Dallas. Got to see where JFK was possibly shot. Then saw the cattle drive and saw lots of statues of cows and cowboys. Not something you see everyday. Drove to see where the NFL Dallas Cowboys play and across the road where the MLB Texas Rangers play. Discovered a famous catcher named Pudge. Fun fact: He’s in his fifties and still alive.
After we toured Dallas, we drove through Waco. Dad needed a cat nap so we stopped in the Dairy Queen parking lot for icecream. I got a medium vanilla milkshake and he (was suppose to be a medium) got a small brownie extreme blizzard. Afterwards, we had lunch at McDonald’s in the country side of Waco.
Back on the road, we drove straight to Katy, Texas. Picked up McDonald’s for dinner and got to relax.
Monday December 20th,
Was a relaxing day. Didn’t have to go anywhere. Although after we had sandwiches from Potbelly (I had grilled chicken since I don’t like sandwiches) for lunch. After lunch, mom, aunt Bug and I went to Kroger. Our kart was full. Relaxed for the rest of the day the we had boneless chicken thighs for dinner with mashed potatoes. That evening we watched True Grit. A very violent movie in my opinion.
Tuesday December 21st, Happy Birthday Dad!
Before we left for Austin, my dad and I FaceTimed his sister who lives in Ireland, she got to see the lake Aunt Bug lives on. The four of us departed for Austin. A two hour drive. Unfortunately Aunt Bug took both sets of keys and my dad had his keys, therefore Renae couldn’t join us. But she bonded with her dad. We stopped at Continental Drive to have lunch at N. Then we did a long tourist walk around Austin and walked along Lady Bird Lake and saw turtles and ducks. Got a lot of steps in. I had Chikfila. Afterwards, we went to my cousin Lily and Coopers house where I got to meet their two dogs Sugar (a small mixed breed) and Theo (an Australian Shepherd) for dinner we had delicious BBQ Turkey, brisket, sausage and ribs. We watched part of the Christmas Chronicles movie on Netflix. Then we went back to the hotel to sleep.
Wednesday December 22,
We got up early and saw the Capitol building. We did a thirty minute tour with a friendly guide. I got postcards and a book. Then we went to the Bullock Museum which by the way is not related to Sandra Bullock the actress. Three floors of tons of historic stuff to see. We watched a movie in the IMAX theater about the French ships. For our late lunch, we had IHOP. Then we drove back to Katy. For dinner we had delicious pork chops and Orzos.
Thursday December 23rd,
We ran errands for Christmas Day. Got to see where my Aunt worked. Dad was out touring on the other side of Houston at a Historic battle outdoor museum called the San Jacinto Momument. I Wrapped and labeled last minute gifts. That evening Renae, Mom and I started our puzzle. We had hamburgers and fries for dinner. Then we started putting the puzzle together.
Friday December 24th Christmas Eve,
Dad and I went out to Wendy’s for lunch then picked up something’s at Kroger for Aunt Bug.
We went to my aunt’s church for the Christmas Eve. They had these cute Christmas donuts One shapped as Santa Clause and the other a Reindeer.
After church, we had a late delicious dinner. Then stayed up late to finish the puzzle. Thankfully we got it done.
Saturday December 25th Merry Christmas!
Later in the afternoon, when Lily and Cooper arrived, after they made cocktails and my dad had his grey goose, we sat down and opened gifts from each other. I got a lot of gifts this year. We all laughed at the Japanese talking egg calendar I got Lily for Christmas. Everyone loved their gifts. Then we all sat outside around the fire. Discovered planets in the sky too. For Christmas dinner we had ham and baked ziti. I’m not a ham person but I loved the baked ziti. Was a great Christmas.
Sunday December 26th,
Dad and I drove to New Orleans and stayed in a hotel (not recommended) just outside the city but not in a good neighborhood. We drove through the city which is pretty at night. But supposedly not safe at night. But that’s anywhere you go basically. Stopped at McDonald’s for dinner then went to Walmart. I got two T shirts Joshua Tree and Yoda and a long sleeve Disney stitch night gown. Got to see the New Orleans Saints stadium which was pretty cool. Then we went back to the hotel where we relaxed and crashed.
Monday December 27th,
Dad and I drove to Slidell and went on a two hour swamp tour on a boat. Before the tour, I got to pet a baby alligator. On the swamp tour, we saw birds and a creature. Got to see a turtle and a small alligator sitting on a log in the swamp. After the tour, we went into New Orleans and walked around. Went to the French Quarter where I bought a new bag and got Grandma a small crystal camel. Monday night football was the Saints vs the Dolphins. Lots of those fans walking around the city. We sat by the water and watched the different boats pass by. After the city, we had dinner and watched a bit of the football game then went to bed.
Tuesday December 28th,
After a long drive, we made it to Savannah, Georgia. We went to the hotel first, dropped off our stuff then went across the street to Applebees for dinner. I had grilled chicken and fries. To be honest, that was the best grilled I had in while. We got the soft pretzels appetizer too. That's actually my favorite part of Applebees. After dinner, we drove to Walmart and got a couple of things. Then we went back to the hotel and planned what we were going to do on Wednesday.
Wednesday December 29th,
Wednesday was a long but very fun day. We did a lot of walking. First we found the SCAD which is Savannah's oldest movie theater. Then saw a John the Baptist's church and John Wesley's church. Saw John Wesley's statue too.
We walked passed St Vincent's School which had the American and Irish flag hanging on the outside.
Then we walked up to Chappaqua Park and saw a couple of statues.
Went to Forsythe's Park where we saw a beautiful fountain and got to walk in the HUGE park almost the size of Central Park. We saw this amazing garden for blind people too which I thought was really cool.
Afterwards we went to McDonough's Irish Pub. I had fried chicken with fries and Dad had wings, fish and chips. Got to watch the Price Is Right while I ate.
After lunch, we walked to the Savannah River and sat on a bench as we took in the beautiful view.
When I went to throw out my water bottle, a bunch of pigeons attacked me. My dad along with other people laughed at me. But that's okay. I laughed too.
We boarded the free Ferry that took us to the Waving Girl Statue. Then we walked from the Statue back to our car.
We drove to Tybee Island where dad walked on the beach bare foot and we sat in the sand and listened to the crashing waves.
Afterwards, we drove to the Tybee Island Light House. Both of us climbed up one hundred and fifty four steps to the top. The view was amazing but my legs were jello when I got back to the bottom.
In total that day I did eighteen thousand steps. But it was such an awesome day.
Thursday December 30th,
It was a quiet day. We went to a famous grave yard in Savannah and walked around. Then we sat on the bench by the parking lot and took a drink of our soda from the vending machine.
The two of us had Popeye's for lunch. Everytime we go there, we forget how much food they give us. The portions are HUGE. But the food was delicious.
We drove back into the city to take a picture where the movie Forest Gump was filmed.
Afterwards, we drove back to the hotel. I went in the hot tub for an hour and dad relaxed by watching videos on Tik-Tok.
Later that evening, we went to Texas Road House for dinner. I ordered steak for the first time. The steak was really yummy and tender.
For dessert we had Sonic. I got a vanilla milkshake with m&ms mixed inside. I forget what dad got. But we both enjoyed it.
I wish you all a very happy, healthy New Year!
