Savannah Smiles

Our final stop on this Woodman family adventure took us to the charming and picturesque town of Savannah, Georgia. A city both rich with tradition and troubled in its dark history, it proved to be a memorable time for all.

 

Savannah is well known as one of the most haunted cities in America. So, obviously our first stop was a walking ghost tour through the historic section of downtown. Here we learned all about this city's disturbing past, from sweeping epidemics to mass deaths. And probably the most troubling, the overwhelming neglect and mistreatment of burial sites. There are untold numbers of buried dead bodies, unmarked, just about everywhere throughout this historic section. When your city is built on a  premise for several horror movies, bad things tend to happen.

After the initial creep out factor, we settled into Savannah and began to appreciate it for what it is, a beautiful, and very accessible town. Not only was it easy to get around, but with over 20 town squares and beautiful homes everywhere you look, there was plenty to see. The evergreen live oak with their drooping, curvaceous branches, draped in Spanish moss added yet another bit of Southern quality to Savannah's charm.

Forsyth Park

On our second day we met up with our friends the Kasparek family, who coincidentally happen to be swinging through town. This time another historical walking tour, only with out all the creepy stories.

Nina shows concern. Nadia, not so much.

Beach time

As an added bonus to this already enjoyable town, the beach was just a short 20 minute drive away. Tybee Island sits on the Atlantic just south of the popular destination of Hilton Head, South Carolina. Less crowded than most beaches, but with all the laid back vibes of any beach town, Tybee was the ideal destination for our family. The waves were big enough, but not too big. The water was clean and the perfect temperature. There were plenty of sea shells to collect. And, most importantly (to Norah) no jellyfish! On our 3rd day at the beach, a group of dolphins swam within 20 yards of us. What a great beach!

Let us not overlook our main reason for taking this trip in the first place. Nina had qualified to participate in the YMCA National Gymnastics meet to be held in Savannah. With over 1700 gymnasts from 71 different teams from all over the country, it was a big deal. Everywhere we went in town, we saw girls doing cartwheels, and handstands, and well, basically acting like Nina. The meet itself lasted for three days, with Nina competing one of those days. The competition was tough. Lots of teams traveled in large numbers. Nina was one of just 5 kids from her Y that made the trip. She performed well, and even managed to medal on bars, her worst apparatus typically. We were all very proud of her accomplishments.

Beaming with pride

Life's a Beach

Sometimes, life really is a beach.

But, only if you are actually on a beach.

New Year, Old Friends

"Pink Pony" (as signed by Nina & Elise) with Seb as the pony.

The Christmas season had ended, and it was time to start thinking about our journey eastward. Our time with family was the perfect way to spend the holidays. The girls were sad to say goodbye to their cousins, as this was, by far, the most time they have ever spent with them in their lives. Everyone got to know each other a whole lot better on the trip. I think we all feel much closer to our Idahoan family. So, we packed up, and headed east.

Bye Bye Boise family

Originally, our plan was to swing through Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on the route. Yeah, ummmm.... have I mentioned recently that we aren't mountain folk? The only way to access most of Yellowstone in January is with a snowmobile, or a giant Sno-Cat. Our Honda Odyssey is neither. We weren't really aware of how snowy and cold it is there. It is. So, the beauty and splendor of one of our country's greatest parks would have to wait for another trip. We'll catch you next time Old Faithful.

Alpine Tramps

So, what now? Where to spend New Year's? We wanted to head east, so Colorado made the most sense. We called up our good friends the Rummel-Winfreys, and headed to the mountains near Boulder. Missy is another one of Jenny's longtime and dear friends. We've traveled up to their place in Colorado several times over the years. It would be a perfect place to celebrate the New Year.

Fozzie and friends.

The girls got to play with their friend, Luka, while Clark and Jenny got to hang out with some of their favorite people. We all stayed up till midnight, banged pots and pans, and screamed down the mountain.

New Year's Day we spent in Nederland, one of our favorite little mountain towns in Colorado. We stuffed our bellies full at the Indian buffet, then took a ride on the super cool, hand-carved carousel.

It was a great way to ring in 2014.

'Ned' as it's called by locals.

Happy New Year!

Adios Arizona, Hello Winter

We were thankful for good friends.

Thanksgivin' groovin'

This is how vegetarians do Thanksgiving turkey

Our stay in Phoenix ended all too soon. The sunny, warm days were truly a blessing for us. Being able to run around outside, in shorts and t-shirts in November was awesome for everyone. But, alas, we couldn't stay there forever. The road was beckoning us. So, after a busy Thanksgiving weekend, that included tons and tons of delicious food, we packed it up, and sadly said goodbye to our friends the Murphy's. Goodbye warm desert days. Goodbye casita. Goodbye Murphy family.

Amanda, John, Clark & Jenny

Literally parked on the interstate for 4 hrs due to icy conditions

Almost immediately once we left the valley of the sun, the weather changed. It wasn't just due to our geographical change, however. Coincidentally, the day we left Phoenix, was the day that a major winter storm blanketed most of the western United States. And it hit us with full force. Cold, windy, icy conditions were everywhere. We had to alter some of our stops, due to the arctic conditions. Morning temps sunk below zero in some places. Roads were closed. Hiking trails covered in ice. It was frigid. Winter was here, and here with a vengeance. Sigh... Why can't it be like Phoenix everywhere?

la casita

(kah-see-tah, Spanish): the small house

Our small house

For many years now, our dear, close friends, the Murphy's, have called Phoenix their home. Since moving there from St. Louis, they have also started a family of 3 kids. Despite the distance, our families have remained close. It helps that Jenny and Amanda have been friends for nearly 25 years. With help from us, our kids and theirs have built up a pretty decent long-distance friendship. We see them, almost annually, when they come back to St. Louis to visit. The girls are pen pals with them. We even vacationed together last year. The one thing missing, however, was a visit out to Arizona to see them. When they bought a place a couple years ago that had a detached guest house, the pressure grew. We had to come visit. There were no excuses. This journey would be the answer. The Murphy family was about to get a full dose of the Woodman’s.

Our time in “The Valley of the Sun” has felt like a long extended vacation. The weather here in November is spectacular. Seventy degrees and sunny during the day, and cool jacket-weather at night. Glorious for this time of year. Their casita has also been pretty darn perfect as well. We have our own space, complete with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and living room, that's right in their back yard. It sits just steps from their back door, next to the pool and the barn. Their large backyard, complete with a playground and a chicken house, affords the kids ample space to run and play. And, play, they have. The Murphy kids (8,6 & 4 yrs.) have been the perfect companions for the girls.

The warm, lazy Arizona days played out much the same way. We rolled out of bed, usually late in the morning, then did a little schoolwork, typically outside. If we felt especially motivated, we headed out in the afternoon to do some exploring. The library. A park. A mountain hike. Then, once the Murphy kids got home from school, they played until bedtime. Weekends were even less motivated, as the kids just wanted to play the whole time away. So, we let them. Sleepovers. Pillow forts. Movie nights. Lots of laughs. A few tears.

Once the kids went to bed, the grown ups had their time. Clark and John played many fierce backgammon matches. Jenny and Amanda would hang out, and catch up. It was great for everyone. Our kids got to hang out with other little ones, not just each other (which can get old), and the adults got a lot of “grown up time.”






And just like that, three weeks passed by, as if it were only a day. Laying around, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the company of good friends will do that, I guess. It's going to be tough to leave the casita at the Murphys. Our own place. Perfect weather. Great friends. A good, lengthy vacation.