Alabama to Canada

DECATUR, ALABAMA
We celebrated Campbell's 10th birthday here. It all worked out really well. We stayed at an RV park that was part of a greater recreational area which included a water park. Not quite a Schlitterbarn but lots of fun anyway. We could walk from the RV! So Campbell's birthday was spent at the water park with a party at lunchtime! The boys particularly enjoyed the diving boards. And they all made dives off the 21 foot board! More importantly Campbell said he was happy with his birthday. When asked if he preferred a party with friends or one just with us, his reply was that he enjoys both, bless him.

STONE MOUNTAIN, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Now this place blew my mind. It's essentially a recreational area with everything, including a huge stone like Uluru in the middle! So, RV parks, kids programs(including Vegie Tales), amusement park including a 3 storey high ropes course which took 2 hours to complete, 4D movie with Yogi Bear and Bobo, mini golf, trains, demonstrations of how to make peanut brittle and glass wares plus a huge barn for kids, filled with a 3 story high game of; shoot the rubber balls! At other areas of the park they had paddle boats and a paddle steamer. There was a pioneer village of 1800 style settlement with a dozen or so dwellings to showcase. There were animal shows, magic shows, laser shows. Basically heaps to do and lots of fun to be had.

In Atlanta city we visited the headquarters of CNN. A fascinating tour which included seeing the news live and when Campbell stood against a green screen with a cape, his whole body disappeared except for his head! Additionally we enjoyed a visit to the home of Coca Cola. One of the tips they gave was in their advertising they recognize that happiness comes from a) being active b) doing things with others c) living now, not past or future d) having gratitude e) being generous.

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
Got involved in the Civil War battles seeing battlefields and hearing stories.

SMOKY MOUNTAINS! TENNESSEE
There's a huge National Park here with heaps to do. As a family we enjoyed 3 Ranger programs; one on finding salamanders in the creek, which we did!, one on wild animals and their furs, and Who Pooped in my Boots? We enjoyed some walking of a small part of the Apalachian trail and looked out to North Carolina.

But the real thrill of this visit for us was visiting a church called The Gathering and meeting the pastor, Gene Wolfenbarger. A man with an amazing personality and a tremendous communion with the Lord. We met him in the lobby after the service and he became fascinated by us. He wanted to understand us and our heart beat, what makes us tick so to speak.  And he spoke very directly to us, especially Barry about cancer and our lives. As he was being called to go back in for the third service that morning, he said he'd be happy to meet us for lunch the next day. With a bit of rearranging of our plans we were delighted to join him. While his sister entertained the boys, Gene tried earnestly to plant seeds into our lives which haven't been planted before. We're really grateful to God for these amazing conversations.

MAMMOTH CAVES, KENTUCKY
An incredible labyrinth of underground caves 400 miles long. A great way to cool off on a hot day.

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
We touched the world of horses and witnessed national competitions of junior riders and their ponies. There are families who tour the competition circuit all year round and the children are taught by tutors.

COLUMBUS, OHIO
Barry and I heard about a unique training session here, run by Australians surprisingly, helping children to pray. I left Barry and the boys for a night to travel from Cincinattit up to Columbus. I appreciated the training and the adventure on my own. Meanwhile Barry and the boys went to Kings Island, I'll let them tell you about it.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
We visited the state Fair here. The day prior to our arrival, a freak wind had blown through and blew the stage down, killing 5 people sadly.  But the fair was great. Agricultural, educational, fun, Indiana style.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
So lovely to be in a big city again. Barry and I both enjoyed the rush of business around and things happening. We did our best to honor this significant city. During the summer they have concerts in the park, even Learn to Dance classes which we all enjoyed, although salsa isn't really my thing. There's family activities in the park and a wonderful Science and Industry Museum. Heaps to do really. Visited Willow Creek church here, some of you will know it, only 10000 people go here and the lead guy was an Aussie! Amazing.

WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN
We decided to zoom up through Wisconsin to the Upper Peninsula and then down through Michigan. Not much to write about but the great lakes are huge as they can be seen to the horizon but are actually a lake. We visited a marine museum which spoke of many ships being lost on Lake Superior! What a concept.

NIAGARA FALLS, OH CANADA!
Well we've headed into Canada for a month or so, first stop, Niagara. We loved it. Got soaked on the Maid of the Mist, saw a great IMAX about people going over the falls and surviving. One was a lady in her 60's who wanted to go in a barrel. Although shaken, she survived.

OK, there's 6 weeks of our lives. We share hopefully because it's interesting, but also because it's really nice for us to share with you. Our travels are exciting and amazing but can also be lonely and so it's lovely for us to include you in this way. We love to hear your news too.