I know this isnt really a "Hayes'" thing but I have to say this.
I am so proud of the way that republicans are holding their "Tea Party" protests. I say keep it up. It is amazing to me how when republicans meet for protest they are a majority peaceful. I am so happy to hear on the news that the two worst things that happened in the last protest in Nevada was a "suspected fist fight" where cops actually saw nothing and a detainment of an individual who was open carrying a pistol which in the state of NV, like WA state is legal. Officers are allowed to detain the individual, but he did nothing wrong. Republicans, way to Legally excersise your rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. Thank you.
It astounds me when a liberal group goes to protest how they show up with masks, anarchy signs and preach peace, but violence is sure to ensue. I cite WTO for an example in Seattle where liberal groups (although some peaceful) mannaged to encite wide spread riots and looting that destroyed a beautiful, liberal city. They destroyed their own city that supports them. My mother came in contact with tear gas trying to get home from work. How is this fair?
So Republicans, game on, and thank you again for making me proud once again to be a Republican. Game on Ladies and Gentlemen, keep the peaceful protests up. Show the other side how we do it, and what America is truely made of.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Eventful Car Rides Home
We have safely arrived home from Tahoe after a wonderful week spent skiing at Heavenly, shopping, and eating at great restaurants.
For the drive home, we had allowed ourselves plenty of time. We left Grandma and Grandpa's early afternoon on Tuesday, and didn't have to be home until late Wednesday night. We thought we had it all planned out... little did we know, life had something else in store for us!
We had just gotten out of California, and we were so excited to finally see the end of the California highway-- it seemed so long and looming-- we didn't know if we were ever going to make it to Oregon! We knew that there was a snow storm coming in, and we knew we wanted to beat it thru the mountain passes in Oregon. Our original plan was to drive from Tahoe to Medford, OR.. about a ten hour drive.
As we were coming up the first pass in Oregon, it was just starting to snow. We came around a corner to see a little white car-- totally smashed, and too damaged to push to the shoulder, and its lone occupant waiving cars out of the way in the lane. As we got closer, we realized that the driver was in an Army uniform, so Justin and I stopped. We soon found out that he was in fact an Army Soldier, on emergency family leave because his very ill grandpa was in the hospital. It was determined that he was heading to Portland, OR.. almost 5 hours farther then we had planned on driving that day. Justin and I talked it over, and decided that we would push thru, and take this soldier to Portland to be with his family. His car was totalled, and there was no way he would be driving it anywhere, ever again.
After sifting all of our stuff in the car, cramming and packing things in, we got all of his stuff in the car with us, and set off for Portland. We arrived, in one piece, tired, sore from the car ride, and ready to find a warm bed four and a half hours later. The only problem was... we had shaky communication with this Soldier's family, and it took us two hours of driving through Portland to finally find the destination that we needed! I was exhausted, frustrated, and probably not so nice... and I totally fell apart on the way to the hotel. We stopped at the Red Lion to get a room, and for some reason or another, they were all booked. So FINALLY, we found a room at the Hilton in Vancouver, WA (right across the bridge from Portland) and fell asleep with the comfort of knowing that we were at least in our home state-- and in the home stretch of our drive!
Neither Justin or I emerged from bed the next day until almost 1pm. We grabbed a quick breakfast/lunch, and hit the road. As promised, we took a detour to the Cabela's store in Lacey on the way home-- which ended up taking us about two hours. The store is really cool-- Justin and I got to do some Target Shooting, and Big Game Shooting in their "arcade" area, and Justin was able to get some shopping in!
The drive from Lacey to home was the longest of my life, and I have never been so exited to see my home and my bed! We pushed a lot harder then we had expected, but feel like we have done our "good deed" for that Soldier. Somewhere out there, he is probably telling people about the Marine that gave him a ride to Portland-- and his crazy wife who almost killed him at 2am. :)
Every day in our life brings a new experience... and I can't wait for the next one to roll around!
For the drive home, we had allowed ourselves plenty of time. We left Grandma and Grandpa's early afternoon on Tuesday, and didn't have to be home until late Wednesday night. We thought we had it all planned out... little did we know, life had something else in store for us!
We had just gotten out of California, and we were so excited to finally see the end of the California highway-- it seemed so long and looming-- we didn't know if we were ever going to make it to Oregon! We knew that there was a snow storm coming in, and we knew we wanted to beat it thru the mountain passes in Oregon. Our original plan was to drive from Tahoe to Medford, OR.. about a ten hour drive.
As we were coming up the first pass in Oregon, it was just starting to snow. We came around a corner to see a little white car-- totally smashed, and too damaged to push to the shoulder, and its lone occupant waiving cars out of the way in the lane. As we got closer, we realized that the driver was in an Army uniform, so Justin and I stopped. We soon found out that he was in fact an Army Soldier, on emergency family leave because his very ill grandpa was in the hospital. It was determined that he was heading to Portland, OR.. almost 5 hours farther then we had planned on driving that day. Justin and I talked it over, and decided that we would push thru, and take this soldier to Portland to be with his family. His car was totalled, and there was no way he would be driving it anywhere, ever again.
After sifting all of our stuff in the car, cramming and packing things in, we got all of his stuff in the car with us, and set off for Portland. We arrived, in one piece, tired, sore from the car ride, and ready to find a warm bed four and a half hours later. The only problem was... we had shaky communication with this Soldier's family, and it took us two hours of driving through Portland to finally find the destination that we needed! I was exhausted, frustrated, and probably not so nice... and I totally fell apart on the way to the hotel. We stopped at the Red Lion to get a room, and for some reason or another, they were all booked. So FINALLY, we found a room at the Hilton in Vancouver, WA (right across the bridge from Portland) and fell asleep with the comfort of knowing that we were at least in our home state-- and in the home stretch of our drive!
Neither Justin or I emerged from bed the next day until almost 1pm. We grabbed a quick breakfast/lunch, and hit the road. As promised, we took a detour to the Cabela's store in Lacey on the way home-- which ended up taking us about two hours. The store is really cool-- Justin and I got to do some Target Shooting, and Big Game Shooting in their "arcade" area, and Justin was able to get some shopping in!
The drive from Lacey to home was the longest of my life, and I have never been so exited to see my home and my bed! We pushed a lot harder then we had expected, but feel like we have done our "good deed" for that Soldier. Somewhere out there, he is probably telling people about the Marine that gave him a ride to Portland-- and his crazy wife who almost killed him at 2am. :)
Every day in our life brings a new experience... and I can't wait for the next one to roll around!
Friday, March 5, 2010
A Road Trip to Remember
When Justin and I first thought about going to Tahoe to visit Grandma and Grandpa, we started looking at airfare. I couldn't believe how expensive it was! I pulled up MapQuest, and came to the realization that in my little commuter car, we could drive for a lot cheaper then we could fly. Yes, it was 15 hours each way-- a total of 30 hours in the car in just over a week. But hey-- Justin and I had never been on a road trip, and there is a first time for everything! As the trip drew closer, I started to question our sanity-- did we really want to spend 30 hours in the car?? But as with each experience, I try to make it positive... so we packed our bags, loaded down the car, and hit the road.
We left Tuesday after work, and figured that we could drive at least as far as Portland, Oregon... to get the part of the drive that we knew the best out of the way. Portland came and went, and we found ourselves finally stopping for the night in Medford, Oregon-- which is almost in California! We did 8 hours of the drive AFTER I got off work-- meaning that we didn't stop until almost 3am. I can't remember the last time I was so happy to see a bed-- and the alarm clock went off all too soon, so we turned it off and didn't get back on the road again until almost 1pm-- hey, its our vacation, right? Whats the rush?? :)
As we crossed into California (and got stopped at a checkpoint like we were entering Canada or Mexico... only to be asked if we were carrying and fruits and vegetables... I guess any state with a town called "Weed" should be concerned about such things..) we started to hear reports that there was a lot of snow in the pass on the way to Tahoe, and we started to fear that we might not make it that night. As we got closer, we discovered that the road to Tahoe was closed to any vehicle without chains-- and while we could have bought them and drove on, Justin and I made the choice to get as far as we could without chains and ride out the storm. We didn't really want to be driving on an icy snow covered dark road in territory that we didn't know... not worth risking our lives to get there.
Turns out, "as far as we could go" brought us to Placerville, California. A town that, if you ever get the change to visit, I would go ahead and pass on. There really is NO place to visit, and even all the restaurants closed by 9pm. We had to order pizza to be delivered to our hotel, because it was the only place left open! We spent the night just being lazy and stretching out in the hotel... and woke up to a warm California morning with nothing but sunshine and clear roads!
The drive in to Tahoe was spectacular. Its been a long time since I have been blessed to see such beauty, and I am so thankful that we made the drive, just for that sight-- even if there were treacherous cliffs along the way! We found Grandma and Grandpa at the grocery store, and have been having so much fun catching up and exploring. I even won $200 at the casino last night! Thank you, Mont Bleu!
As I type this, I am enjoying looking out onto the lake from the living room at Grandma and Grandpas. The boys just left to go skiing, and Grandma and I are getting ready to hit the town for some serious shopping! Beautiful sights, wonderful company, and great shopping. Does life get any better?
While we may not road trip every time we want to go somewhere... this has been the experience of a lifetime, and I wouldn't change the experience for anything!
We left Tuesday after work, and figured that we could drive at least as far as Portland, Oregon... to get the part of the drive that we knew the best out of the way. Portland came and went, and we found ourselves finally stopping for the night in Medford, Oregon-- which is almost in California! We did 8 hours of the drive AFTER I got off work-- meaning that we didn't stop until almost 3am. I can't remember the last time I was so happy to see a bed-- and the alarm clock went off all too soon, so we turned it off and didn't get back on the road again until almost 1pm-- hey, its our vacation, right? Whats the rush?? :)
As we crossed into California (and got stopped at a checkpoint like we were entering Canada or Mexico... only to be asked if we were carrying and fruits and vegetables... I guess any state with a town called "Weed" should be concerned about such things..) we started to hear reports that there was a lot of snow in the pass on the way to Tahoe, and we started to fear that we might not make it that night. As we got closer, we discovered that the road to Tahoe was closed to any vehicle without chains-- and while we could have bought them and drove on, Justin and I made the choice to get as far as we could without chains and ride out the storm. We didn't really want to be driving on an icy snow covered dark road in territory that we didn't know... not worth risking our lives to get there.
Turns out, "as far as we could go" brought us to Placerville, California. A town that, if you ever get the change to visit, I would go ahead and pass on. There really is NO place to visit, and even all the restaurants closed by 9pm. We had to order pizza to be delivered to our hotel, because it was the only place left open! We spent the night just being lazy and stretching out in the hotel... and woke up to a warm California morning with nothing but sunshine and clear roads!
The drive in to Tahoe was spectacular. Its been a long time since I have been blessed to see such beauty, and I am so thankful that we made the drive, just for that sight-- even if there were treacherous cliffs along the way! We found Grandma and Grandpa at the grocery store, and have been having so much fun catching up and exploring. I even won $200 at the casino last night! Thank you, Mont Bleu!
As I type this, I am enjoying looking out onto the lake from the living room at Grandma and Grandpas. The boys just left to go skiing, and Grandma and I are getting ready to hit the town for some serious shopping! Beautiful sights, wonderful company, and great shopping. Does life get any better?
While we may not road trip every time we want to go somewhere... this has been the experience of a lifetime, and I wouldn't change the experience for anything!
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