July 9-July 18...the Last Extended Trip for the Summer

So, here we are...all packed up for our last long trip of the summer.  This is how we roll when we will be camping for an extended period.

We started our trip in Atlanta for a Six Flags stop. You all know we travel on the cheap--how can a Six Flags trip be cheap? John Gannon earned free tickets for me and him through their Read to Succeed Program. I used Coke Reward Points to get Johnny's ticket--so that left us paying for a discounted ticket for Jackson and the $20 parking fee! Here are the boys--awaiting a day filled with fun and adventure...right?

First of all-this picture was an adventure for a Jackson. He is afraid of large costumed creatures! After this one, he was done with that for a while.  Right after this picture John Gannon and Johnny headed to a large thrill ride while Jackson and I were off to the kiddie rides.

As for Jackson and I, we were living it up, going from ride to ride.  Johnny and JG on the other hand...after riding about 3 or 4 rides began looking for us because they were ready to spend some time in the water park. We didn't take our phones into the park (lesson learned). So they searched for us for a LONG time before finally stumbling upon us.  JG was so exasperated, tears flooded him when he finally saw us. Tears of joy and relief?  Oh no, of anger and frustration of walking around the park over and over...and over... But hey, we needed to salvage the day so I try out some cognitive reframing interventions (which might I add didn't go over so well).  We decided to make a stop at the bumper cars on the way to the water park.  We waited in the long line.  It was finally our turn. We were all strapped in the cars--the ride attendant comes over the speaker and says the ride must be vacated due to the weather (it was just barely sprinkling)...Can you imagine JG's face?  Oh it was bad.  So we go on over to the water park, spray down with sun screen...and it happens. The announcement-"We are sorry but the water park is closing temporarily due to the weather." Um...this isn't good!  We then head to the car to have lunch. By this time, I was filled with regret for this day! What was I thinking? Large signs point to this place--lines with a 4 year old...Anyway, after lunch we head back to the water park and John Gannon's face made a tremendous improvement. 

You see Jackson?  For some reason he would hesitate on some of the slides.  On this one, he urged us to go before him and wanted me to take his picture at the end. We waited and waited...several people came down the slide but there was no Jackson.  We then see this...

No, that isn't his brother!  I looked at them and asked the boy, "Was he scared to go down?" The boy shrugged his shoulders and gave me a pretty puzzled look. Who knows? I assume Jackson either just hitched a ride with him at the top or had stopped mid-slide and he picked him up.  After fun at the water park, we tried the bumper cars again...success!

Jackson even started pulling on my arm, pointing at characters wanting his picture made with them! What? Where did this come from? Wonder if it will last? We'll see on the next trip to Chuck E. Cheese!

We rode several more rides and ended up staying until about 8:30 (10:30am-8:30pm). Definitely not the best day we have ever had, but some fun none the less!

From Atlanta, we head to our favorite place.  The place where we know what signs like this mean.

At the Ocoee--Thunder Rock campground-we got a little treat this time.  They were having a swift water rescue class while there. The boys and I tagged along on many of the training exercises.  We learned about proper rope rescue and the proper technique to follow when you come upon a strainer in the water. We also got to see what happens in the water when the technique isn't followed properly.  Of course, we got to practice these skills.  The boys rescued me from the dangerous drive of our campsite a few times.

We even got to practice the skills in the swift water ourselves.  Johnny thought it would be a great adventure for the boys to jump into the Ocoee river flowing at the campground and float down a while, and I would throw the rescue rope and save them all.  Ms. Roxy--the campground host even joined in.  I am proud to report that on my first rescue attempt, I caught not 1 but 4 people on my rescue rope.  I anchored well and pulled them all the bank.  The 2nd time...success.  The 3rd time--uh...my rope landed on bank with me! Thankful for Johnny's swimming skills! The 4th time Jackson wanted to try to throw the rope instead of jumping in.  His rope hit the water but not quite far enough.  Needless to say, our three victims made it safely to shore! 

We also swam at Blue Hole on the Ocoee when the water wasn't running!

Love this...When you find yourself in a jam...

 Decide to try to enjoy it!

One evening when the water wasn't running, we paddled from the campground to the dam and back. The only disadvantage of being the photographer--there are rarely pictures of me!

Johnny got his water fix when the water was on!

The bikes were ridden...roller blades were dunned (no pictures of that for some reason).

Small things were treasured...like weeds, sticks, toilet paper rolls, and boxes! Thanks Ms. Roxy! (Notice the "metal detector" hanging from Jackson's bike).

I am pretty sure my boys will tell their children tales of "having" to play with such when they were kiddos! One day we headed over to North Carolina to the Nantahala. John Gannon and Johnny went down in a ducky.  He loved it! If you are connected with us on Facebook you saw the video of the falls at the end--Johnny almost flipped out of the boat! I asked JG what we would have done, he said, "I would have just paddled it myself." That's right son, that's exactly right!

Jackson and I cheered them on at random stops down the river.

While back at the Ocoee one day, the boys and I discovered a park we didn't know existed.  It has a beautiful view!

And yes, it had a playground, but this was the boys favorite! It quickly became a castle, a ninja training center, and the central meeting place for important business to transpire.

Another day, we went to the Ocoee/Hiwassee State Park.  Have I ever said that my life would be so boring and unadventurous without Johnny?  You see this?

Guess which directions we take?  That's right--the 4wd directions--IN THE CAMRY! We went down a stony path, crossed a creek and went up a steep embankment of which I was sure we could not do.  Despite my thoughts, we made it with ease...

While at the park, we hiked and the guy folk enjoyed a nice dip in the falls.  That water was numbing cold! John Gannon was initially scared to jump in off the rocks like Johnny but he eventually did it! Jackson decided he would just hitch a swim to the falls!

We also explored a concrete underground tunnel.

Needless to say, this right here is the sign of a good day for the Cox crew!

As characteristic of any trip we take--John Gannon has his bag of random things.  This time, he finally learned the importance of carrying good bags--not sacks.  At some point, this one got ripped and he lost his knife and a chain of brand new carabiners.  

Why yes we did strap a float to the car! The boys floated down the Upper Ocoee when it was turned off.  When we were leaving, Johnny stopped at the Middle put-in and asked a kayaker getting his gear ready if he thought his "boat" would make it down.  You should have seen the look on the guys face!

Every time we travel to this area, I always LOVE to stop a McKays in Chattanooga! It is a used bookstore that has extremely cheap prices!  If you are ever near one--it is definitely worth a stop!  The boys like the results as well--you see this book John is holding--hardback, incredible pictures, brand new looking--only $0.75! They have several large free bins outside--we got a spider man book and "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" from those.

Whenever possible (when we have earned enough points to stay free) we like to end the trip with a night's stay in Chattanooga!  Once we arrived and went out for our first adventure--to play in all the downtown water features, the boys did nothing but complain and whine.  So, as good parents, we headed straight back to the hotel. Who wants to treat whining children to fun? Right?  Turns out...they were obviously a little tired.  This was at 5:45 pm.  This child generally only naps if he is sick!

About 7:45 we finally wake him up and try again.  MUCH BETTER.  While they were resting Johnny went for a run and found us some new things to try! SO, here we go, off to have some evening fun!

Who would have thought that a city would allow people to slide down hills on cardboard?  We found 2 places in which this is obviously encouraged!  Wonder what would happen if we tried this in Tupelo? I am sure a sign restricting the behavior would be erected--it does mess up the manicured grass, right?

And just for the record, it isn't quite as easy as it looks!

Love this shot--from the "Volcano" hill!  We did this on into the night!

Johnny also found a new playground for them to explore. John Gannon (our safety monitor) stated this was the most dangerous playground we had ever been to.  All the while, he had us time him as he raced from obstacle to obstacle playing American Ninja! As for the seats that spin round and round using natural momentum from your sitting position...one loved them, the other...not so much!

And of course, a trip to Chattanooga would not be quite as exciting without a trip to the Children's Discovery Museum! We now get in half price due to having a family membership to Healthworks. We used a Christmas gift to purchase the membership!

And while we all are really sad when our trip comes to an end...arriving at home does have nice perks as well!  Like the excitement of a 4 year old running to pick his flowers from his garden!  He has 3 large sunflowers that have bloomed as well! So, we are home--and I think the washer just finished with another load.  Time to reload!  

LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE!