Our Summer Holiday in America

Dear Friends and Family,
Hello from us to you. We are delighted to tell you that summer has arrived in America. We've discovered that summer here this year is a bit different from home, on our travels the temperature has been over 90 and often over 100. Humidity is regularly over 80%. But we're thankful for air conditioning! We saved the school holidays 'til now to give the boys a good summer break. So here's some highlights from our last 5 weeks.

Carlsbad Caverns, NEW MEXICO
Explored some amazing underground caverns here, 2 miles underground for over an hour. Angus said it was one of his best days ever.

TEXAS
San Antonio/New Braunfels
Fabulous place. Visited some historical forts, Ripleys Believe It or Not, stayed in an RV park by the Gauderlope River in which we sat for an hour after a hot day! We went to an incredible water theme park called Schlitterbarn. We just walked around all day in our swimmers taking rides. Here there are actually 3 parks with buses that go between.  Absolutely amazing. I'll let the boys tell about the rides.

Fort Worth
Witnessed some Texas Longhorns walking down the street and we all bought a pair of Texas boots. The boys have some 'Texas clothes ' now and love to 'dress up' . Hence the photo.

Amarillo
While the boys were at camp, Barry and I enjoyed a 'break' and caught up on paperwork. But the wind was incredible. Often not dying off at night and us having to press our bodies into it to walk. Along with 105/6 degree temperatures, an extremely hot week. One night Barry took me to the Great Texan Steakhouse. Now at this place if you choose they will serve a 72lb steak with sides and give you an hour to eat it and then you get it for free, otherwise you have to pay $72 for it. By all reports, most don't make it, did we have a go? No, not that night! We loved Texas.

Oklahoma City, OKLAHOMA
The bombing memorial was moving. but we stayed at the best RV park of the whole trip. Twin Fountains RV Park, lovely.

Eureka Springs, ARKANSAS
A hilly retreat where shows abound. We saw a terrific family variety show here as well as an authentic Rodeo in Springdale. Wow, it was amazing. From the celebration by video of some Vietnam Vets to the singing of the Star Spangled Banner to all the genuine rodeo events.

Jefferson City, MISSOURI
We chose to spend July 4 here. We enjoyed 2 days of celebrations from stage performances, to street parades, to skateboarders and sand sculpturers, motor bike jumpers to eagle demonstrations, to Elvis, the Little River Band and fabulous fireworks! A grand celebration indeed. While the boys frolicked in a fountain in the central square, I chattered with a couple who recognized my accent. Their daughter is married to an Australian living in Mosman!

St Louis, MISSOURI
Fabulous free zoo, wonderful friendly farm - Grants Farm with animal and elephant shows. We spent one afternoon at the Magic House, a total hands on museum for children, absolutely creative, tried the famous St Louis frozen custard. But, the biggest news here was a spontaneous choice on our day of arrival. We'd chosen to visit the St Louis Arch but when parking noticed just how many people were wearing red. We happened to park near a baseball stadium and realized a game was on. Let's go! We bought tickets on the street and off we went to see the St Louis Cardinals play the Cincinatti Reds. The Cardinals won! Huge.

Kansas City, KANSAS
The big attraction here was the International House of Prayer Church (IHOP). An amazing place where Christ is held very high. They run a 24/7 prayer room 365 days a week. And it's been running 11 years! It was really amazing. The boys attended a Signs and Wonders Camp for children to teach them how to pray for healing and how to worship.. At the camp the boys worshipped for an hour a day in amongst lots of games! I'll let them tell you but wow, we're approaching family life a little differently now. They loved it and really want to run one at home, anyone interested?

Branson, MISSOURI
We've learned this to be a Mecca for entertainment. Similar to Las Vegas without Casino's. 60 shows a night run here. We chose to see 'Noah', a wonderful recreation of the Biblical story with sets, 3 storey's high. One scene was from inside the Arc and wrapped around the theatre giving about a 250 degree view. Amazing. But Noah's faith stood out because it took him over 100 years to build the boat!

Little Rock, ARKANSAS
The childhood home of Bill Clinton. He has a library now of his public life years. All very interesting including a replica of the oval office. The boys enjoyed another refreshing fountain!

We've just arrived in Memphis on the Mighty Mississippi. We've arranged it that the boys have a good holiday at this time of year but all that is about to change as school is back in next week. It's so easy being on holidays here!

So there's our highlights. We hope this finds you well. Until next time...
Sincerely, Heather and Barry, Campbell, Wesley and Angus xxxxx