Day 1 and 2

The flight out of Long Beach was great.  What a great little airport.  I am sure it beats flying in and out of LAX.  We arrived in Salt Lake on time at 10:50am.  The RV company picked us up, and after a brief overview of the rig, we were on our way to the Walmart Super Center!  A few hours and 2 carts later, we had our supplies...at least enough for a few days:).  The drive to Jackson Hole Campground was about 220 miles.  The smoothies we grabbed after loading up the RV would hold the kids over for lunch, but there was no way we would make another 190 miles without dinner.  So, we stopped about halfway (  in Idaho) for dinner in Pocatello.  Google said they had 40 restaurants to choose from.  We picked one and headed for it.   A quick stop for wine hooked us up with a nice woman who recommended a different restaurant with great food AND a big parking lot- a key feature with a 31' vehicle. 

We took a 'short cut' through the 'Teton Pass'.  It was a winding, 2 lane road with a 55Mph speed limit and up to 10% grades up and then down.  We started into this around 9:30 PM as it was getting dark.  I thought it was kind of fun, but Deb- not so much- as she clung to the handles and seat.  She was happy when we finally made it down into Jackson Hole at 10:30.  By 11:15, the kids were tucked in and Deb and I were sitting out in our brand new Walmart chairs, wine in hand, staring at the dark sky sparkling with a million stars.

Sunday morning, we had a lazy start.  Most everyone slept in to almost 9.  The rest (me) got up and sat out in the sun, enjoying the morning and the views of the spectacular scenery.  We are expecting to meet up with our friends the Policellis sometime today.  They are some friends that we have camped with many times over the past years and about 6 months ago we found out they were going to be in the area at the same time we were.  So we planned to meet up in Jackson and explore the Tetons together.  They arrived at 11:30.  Yeah!  We were making plans over lunch when Elizabeth was looking for something and accidentally set off their bear spray.  Bummer.  Luckily it was the less potent version and was not a direct hit.  They are off 'airing out' their RV.   As soon as they get back, we are off to the Teton Village and the Aerial Tram up to 10,450 feet.

Just a Minor Scheduling Detail....

So, I guess I get to be the first to blog, because it was my error that sent us off to Long Beach, CA instead of JFK!  Yes, I am type A.  I usually have all the ducks in a row.  Dogs shipped off - check.  Monthly bills paid - check.  House locked up - check.  Itinerary binder created - check.  Everyone loaded into the car BEFORE the appointed time - check.  Our ride to the airport was perfect.  (Thanks Colleen.  You rock!)  We arrived to the ticket counter at 2:30 pm for a 4:30 pm flight to JFK.  All smiles. 

My smile fades when the JetBlue counter staff tells us that there is no 4:30 flight to JFK.  5 sets of eyes turn to me and I pull open my binder to realize that I blew it!  I recorded the wrong time.  I feel sick to my stomach.  I can't help some tears from leaking out.  ("Captain Stubing" actually thinks that the tears helped our case in the long run.)   Our flight was actually at 2:47 pm!  We start to pray.... 

And here is what happens.... after an entire hour at the desk with two really great and patient and understanding people helping us, we are rerouted, and on a plane to Long Beach, CA.  JetBlue was fantastic - they didn't even charge us for MY MISTAKE!  We were back on vacation!  And, we were able to catch up with the Jarrs for a few minutes and hugs in the terminal while we all waited on planes.  (Thanks Kelly for your hugs! We will see you in a few weeks. ) 

Well, the flight was great, and we are comfortable in a hotel for the overnight, then back on an early flight to get us to Salt Lake in the am.  Perhaps this control freak still has a thing or two to learn about God's plan.  Good night from "Julie McCoy"

June 26

Hi All,
We are gearing up for our big 2013 RV trip.  I was just making up a packing list of items we need to ship out next week!  It is coming quickly!

This time we will be heading out to Jackson Hole, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park.  Praying already for a safe, fun and amazing adventure with our family and whoever we meet along the way.