7/8/08 Storm Chasing (Accidentally)

Hannibal, MO----Near Springfield, IL: Today was Zac and Marge’s first travel day. We were in a good mood when we traveled, but it was very hot in the camp and everyone was very cranky. That was when Marge had the brilliant idea to go swimming in the park’s pool. This was the first time I had been in a pool since practically since we had a house so I agreed. Before I got there though, Marge had swallowed some water and stopped swimming. Anyway, Ed persuaded the rest of the kids in the pool to play Marco Polo. Everyone had fun until a huge stack of black clouds came rolling in. It covered the sky in minutes! Running for the coach, we got there just minutes before it started pouring buckets. Seconds afterward, thunder appeared in the heavens like the prelude to the bolt that destroyed Sodom and Gomorra. Ignoring the lighting (the storm abated around six) we relaxed until bed.

Note: The next few days will be us playing in the pool and working so I will not be posting for those days

7/7/08 Cave Hopping Bonanza

Hannibal, MO: Today Zack and I had a ton of fun! First we went to a nearby cave and took a tour. We had a very nice and pretty guide to explain everything and keep us from getting lost. My personal favorite part was when Zack had gone through a hole and the guide went to go collect him. I turned off my lantern and just listened to the darkness. It was pretty soothing (though I would not recommend it for those who are afraid of darkness or small spaces). Afterwards we headed back and relaxed for the rest of the day.

7/6/08 Zack Attack (and Losing Him)

Hannibal, MO: Today Libby left us and we some new friends came. I had slept late, so I had almost missed Libby when she and Ed were heading to the train station. After mopping around for a while at the food court Mom and I met Mom’s friend Marge Eisman and her son Zack. Marge and Zack were very nice, and were very similar to my good friends Nancy and Skyler Tornell. Marge had persuaded Mom to take me and Zack to a children’s museum. I use the term museum very loosely because it had absolutely no intellectual value (though it WAS fun to play on). Afterwards we walked around (okay Marge and I walked, Zack bounced), and then went to a small café that had some very good dairy-free smoothies and sherbet. Afterwards Mom picked us up and we relaxed at the RV for the rest of the day.

7/3/08 Carnival Day

Hannibal, MO: Today there was a huge carnival! It was all Mark Twain themed so there were many things like fence painting, frog hopping, and dressing up to look like Tom Sawyer or Becky Thatcher, as well as . Mom was very insistent on us going to the carnival, but she let me walk over, so it wasn’t that bad. After having lunch and playing a few carnival games, I was able to slip off to the library and read Trickster’s Choice for a while, and then later all of us went to the hill to watch fireworks. All in all, it was a great festival.

Xaven

Note: The next few days will be working on math mostly so I will not be blogging for those days.

(7/1/08) Return of the Silver Zephyr

Hannibal, MO: Today was the first day of our trip to Hannibal. After picking up the RV from the storage park we traveled to the RV Park near the Mark Twain Caves. These caves were what Mark Twain based the part of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer that Tom and Becky Thatcher getting lost in the caves and finding Injun Joe. Anyway, the best part (for Ed and Libby) was that Zephyr and his family actually was staying in the same campground! They chatted while Mom and I set up the RV and afterwards we all relaxed for the rest of the day.

Xaven

Note: Tomorrow will be just us unpacking and exploring the town, so I will not be posting for that day

(6/28/08) Hell at Home and Weddings

Wheeling, IL-Today was a day of ups and downs. After I got up, Dad took me driving again (and to do some chores). We started off with country roads, and then actually went onto street lights! I was very happy, and very terrified (Dad gave me some very good tips though which helped) at the same time. After driving for a while I was able to park, and after a lesson and a few tips from Dad, we went into a Chinese restaurant. After eating we went back to Gale’s house, where I experienced hell for yet another time. Apparently I had misspoken when I said that I would only look at manga for a while and Mom freaked when I had spent more than fifteen minutes reading. I told her that I would need a minute; then subsequently Ed went and told Mom after I had spent another half an hour “finishing up”. Mom went ballistic and there was a huge shouting match between her and I, which ended with Mom blocking everything except the math site blocked until I finished my math. Afterwards we went to the wedding. It was the first time I had sat through one and it was very, well, not enjoyable, but the after party was good. Stuffing ourselves on what’s left of our cake slices, we headed back to Gale’s for the rest of the day.

Xaven

Note: The next few days will be us packing up, so I will not be posting for those days.

(6/27/08) Prelude to a Party

Wheeling, IL: Today was a great day. It was the day right before the wedding, so there was a huge party for the bride planned. Apparently there will be a practice dinner, and then the bride and groom split up, each going to their side of the family’s party. Now I am not very good with setting up parties (and my motivation was a lot less) so I excused myself and walked to lunch again. I stayed out of the way when I got back by staying out of sight (I was caught and had to clean up the bedroom I was sleeping in though). There were a huge amount of people at the party, and the food was good, but I had eaten too many bad things so I went to bed early. Overall though, it was a good day.

Xaven

(6/26/08) Hancock Heights

Wheeling/Chicago, IL: Today we went to Chicago! Dad got Sarah (Later today she wanted to be called Edith after our grandmother, but she put up with Eddy or Ed instead and I will post her as that from now on), Libby, and I to go right after breakfast. First we went to a Starbucks (where I discovered a delicious sparkling fruit juice I can drink), then went to the Hancock building. This was a very cool building because of the fact that with its over seventy-five floors it towered above the entire city! We saw pools on other the roofs of other buildings! There was a small museum about it and then we headed down. After viewing we traveled down Michigan Avenue and examined the buildings, then went back to the RV via a beautiful street along a nearby lake. Anyway, we headed back and relaxed for the rest of the day.

Xaven

(6/25/08) The Return of the Father

Wheeling-IL: Today Dad came! Sarah and Libby killed time by playing games downstairs, but I couldn’t sit still. At around twelve I decided to take a walk and to my complete surprise, Dad and Mom were on the front steps! After a cheerful reunion, all three of us (we didn’t want to disturb Sarah and Libby) went to lunch at the sushi restaurant. We had a delicious lunch together and went back to Gale’s to relax for the rest of the day.

Xaven

(6/24/08) Soaked and Sushi

Wheeling-IL Today was a day of joy and surprises. Mom left pretty early to go pick up Dad, and Sarah, Libby, Gale and I (Steve went to work early) had the house to ourselves. After I played around for a while, I walked to lunch. Now the funny thing about this is that the last time I took this walk I had gotten frostbite, so when I walked to lunch I was a little wary even though it was the middle of summer. There were no problems though and I got to the Japanese restaurant. The food was delicious and after paying back a small debt because I didn’t have enough money last time, I left for a nearby Barnes and Nobles. I found out then my fears were well founded because about two blocks away from the restaurant it started raining buckets. Taking shelter in a store a few blocks away, I waited the storm out. Fortunately for me, it was not a long storm, and I was able to continue to the Barnes and Noble without any more problems. After indulging myself in stories I headed back to the house and relaxed for the rest of the day.

Xaven

(6/23/08) (Return of the Posts!) Wheeling Ahoy

I have been working on my math most of the days before, so I have been unable to blog. However, this works as well because I can start from this day and move onward. I will also start posting the location where I am at.

Wheeling-IL: Today was a start of a (smaller) great adventure. After parking the RV in a storage park around four hours away, then went to Wheeling. There was a wedding planned for Dad’s niece (my cousin)’s wedding. We went to Aunt Gale and Uncle Steve’s house for the duration of the stay. The best part about this however, was that Dad was coming!!!!! Mom was going to pick him up from a nearby airport (the term nearby is relative-she would have to stay overnight in a hotel with him) and we would all have fun. Libby (Sarah’s friend who came over right before we left) and Sarah were to be in the basement, Mom (and later Dad!!!) in an upstairs guest bedroom, and I would be a room that had Gale’s beanie baby collection. With dreams of being with Dad, I went to bed.

Xaven