Will and Music - in Knoxville

The Nineveh got into her new slip in Slidell, Louisiana on June 12th and we've had quite a ride since then. We will have to update and fill in the blanks shortly, but as for now here is a video of Will rockin' out to the Police.

We found out he really liked Sting and the Police when we had dinner with friends at the Crown and Goose in Knoxville, Tennessee (Thanks Sean, Sara, Shannon, Mike, Sam, Robyn, Carter, and Chris!). Their greatest hits (I suppose) was playing and Will just kept dancing and smiling and just carrying on. Once something else played he calmed down . . . so Will likes the Police and Sting.

The Grand Canyon

We had to pass through Bakersfield, CA on our way to the Grand Canyon. While in Bakersfield, Will fell asleep and then crossed his legs!

While in Williams, AZ (1 hour south of the Grand Canyon) Will got into the toilet paper. The first of many times I'm sure!

I got the wear the backpack this time around and Will kept leaning over and getting my attention and smiling. Whatta cutie!

The Wright Family at the Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon panoramic - you can see the Colorado river on the east and west sides.

Close-up of the Colorado River.

I got a little adventurous and Josh caught me!

Will loves playing under tables. He caught me taking his photo and now he is out to get me!

The aftermath of eating/smearing a strawberry!

San Francisco - We forgot the flowers for our hair

San Francisco was a lot of fun - and a lot of work! We had the most samples to give out here: 38! And we did it all in one day. So we had to go have fun and play downtown. We had the famous sourdough bread and walked the waterfront. From the Fishermans Wharf to the Port of San Francisco - which is quite a walk. We took the trolley back - and Will made eyes at a young lady. I think he made her day!

Alcatraz - pretty depressing. There were "Alcatraz" onsies that had inmate numbers on them and everything. They are cute, but I didn't want Will to start going down the wrong path . . .

The Wright Family. Will loves this backpack - he will put his feet against the bar and push up and stand straight. He likes to turn his body all to one side to get a better look at what is around him.

The sea lions are crazy! I'm glad we didn't bring the Nineveh up to dock here!

While in San Francisco we visited the seminary in Berkley. We all took the tour - a personal tour - and Josh was able to sit in on a class. Then we shared the Eucharist and had dinner with the whole graduating class. While Josh took the class Will and I played outside near a fountain. It was a beautiful day and everyone was so nice and inviting. I have never felt so welcome at a new school/place before!

California - Sequoia and Kings Canyon Park

On our way from San Diego to San Fransisco, we decided to check out the huge Sequoias at the national park. Definitely worth the trip! We stayed the night - thank goodness we brought our sleeping bags because it was cold! - and survived bear country. We didn't see a bear, but we saw a lot of deer and chipmunks! It's camping at it's best - you can go as rustic as you want. Camp out or stay at a lodge. Cook over a campfire or go eat at a restaurant. Fabulous for all!

They say there are shapeshifters in this area - those who can change their appearance. Some shift from human to animal to another animal or back to human. This photo is evidence that the tales are true.

The Wrights in front of the base of General Grant - the 3rd largest tree in the world.

Will touches a fallen giant tree. There's that question: If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If one of these trees falls I'm sure someone would hear it!

Will and Daddy in front of a fallen giant. This tree was actually used as a shelter and saloon in the parks early years. It's pretty cool to walk through it.

California - San Diego

San Diego was our biggest hit yet with 22 samples handed out! Yippee. But it wasn't all work, we got to play as well. We checked out the boats and submarines at the Embarcadero.

HMS Surprise - the ship used in Master And Commander the Far Side of the World.

We went to the San Diego zoo and saw all kinds of animals including the Golden Takin which is specific to the cork forests.

Will falls asleep during the Sea Lion show at the San Diego Zoo.

Will is so excited to see all the animals at the zoo.

"By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea. You and me, you and me oh how happy we'll be!"

We had to visit the hotel featured in "Some Like it Hot!" It was beautiful but hard to get into. You can still stay there and the views from the rooms must be fantastic! Unfortunately, it is surrounded by parking lots so the only good view is from the beach.

Hotel Del Coronado.

The Wright family in front of the Hotel Del Coronado.

California - Los Angeles!

Since we were stuck in Los Angeles traffic the whole time we were handing out samples - we really only took photos of Will. Which is a much better way to remember our time in Los Angeles!

Will playing with one of his favorite toys - a pen.

Daddy is one of Will's favorite places to fall asleep.

Will fell asleep propped up and watching TV.

Will enjoys dinner in Los Angeles with his Daddy (and Momma taking the photo).

Arkansas to Arizona - A Little Bumpy Start

Will helps get us out of Memphis, Tennessee.

We were off to a little bit of a bumpy start in Arkansas. On our way to the KOA in Hot Springs, our rear drivers side tire blows out! Luckily we were only about 5 miles away from the KOA but it was night out - so it was really dark! Again to our luck, a trooper came by to help out. We were lucky he did because we didn't have a correct sized wrench to get the spare tire off the back. Ugh! But, he was a great help and very nice!

Keep Arkansas Clean and Green!

The KOA in Hot Springs is really nice and the people are very friendly. I would highly recommend staying there if the opportunity arose.

While on our way out of Hot Springs, we lose power steering. Luckily again we are near a gas station. So we check in there, get gas, and get someone to check out our power steering. Turns out, the van uses a serpentine line which means that without it we won't have power steering, air conditioning, or run the engine coolant. We would have had a lot more to fix if we had kept on driving! So we get the belt fixed and are on our way to Dallas.

We get into Dallas really late (about 2 in the morning) and are wiped out! Dallas was our recover city. We did hand out samples - but most companies use styrofoam cups . . .

So, we're off to Houston! We were able to stay with a family friend (Thank you Larry!).

In Houston Will tries out cereal - which he likes!

Houston, Texas!

On our stayover in Austin, Texas we try out a sushi restaurant. It's pretty good. Although Will can't have sushi, he enjoys the chopsticks!

The KOA at Junction, Texas. Great surroundings to look at!!

The drive from Junction, Texas to Phoenix, Arizona was hairy! It was so windy that the van was being blown around. The wind was so strong that the flags were almost straight out from the poles!

Some of the cactus in Phoenix!

Once we got into Phoenix it rained the very next day. Now, there is a nice breeze! Here's hoping our drive to L.A. won't be so windy!

What a great smile!