The last morning started out as most mornings of my life have started.
*Mom texts at 7:30am asking if we’re awake*
*We don’t respond because we’re NOT awake*
*Mom bangs on our hotel door*
*I run to open it*
Me: What.
Mom: GOOD MORNING! As you know, breakfast is the MOST important meal of the day and we’re off to eat it, hope you will join us!
So, I wake my sisters and we get to breakfast. This is where my family of 6—plus my grandparents—all squeeze around a table meant for 4 people and successfully eat breakfast. Next, we packed and headed out to Bearizona. What is Bearizona? A place where you drive through 3 miles of land and get to see a variety of different animals and—obviously—bears. Mollie and I rode with my grandparents, while everyone else rode in the other car. First, we saw goats, wolves, coues (whatever that is), burrows, and bison. I was enraptured with the bison.
Me: OH. MY. GOODNESS. They are so cute! Look at all the bison huddled up together. They must be cold, there is snow on their backs.
Mollie: Gracie, those are ROCKS. The bison are on the OTHER side of the road.
What I thought was cute bison huddled together.
Actual Bison.
Mollie tells the family about this incident when we get out of the car.
*Everyone (including my mother) starts slowly and most dramatically clapping*
Everyone: Bravo, BRAVO. (If you don’t get it, read Las Vegas: Day 4)
Next, we had lunch on Route 66. We stopped at Café 66. It had bathrooms with stalls made of the beds of trucks, and without locks. None. Whatsoever.
We had to eat quickly before getting me to the airport, but had time for a few pictures while waiting for the food. This is where I found my future husband. I have to say, I think I speak for both of us when I say: It was love at first sight. Seriously, he couldn’t help falling in love with me.
Here we are. Just consider these our engagement pictures.
We rushed out soon afterwards. I guess, so fast, that my Dad forgot to get his credit card back from the waitress. But we didn’t realize this until we were two hours down the road and my mom become aware of one small fact: She left her purse at the restaurant. So, she calls:
Mom: Hi, yes, I believe I left my purse at your restaurant.
Restaurant Lady: What’s your name?
Mom: *Gives name*
Restaurant Lady: No, ma’am, I mean, the name on your card.
Mom: *Gives name on card*
Restaurant Lady: No. That’s not it. *Ends conversation*
Mom: Uh. Sounds like someone left a card.
Dad: Wait. *pulls out wallet* It’s mine.
My mother had to call them back. She figured out her purse situation and my Dad’s card situation. So, it should be a ton of fun to get those things back. But an adventure I am not included in because, remember, this was my last day.
I was about to be dropped off at the airport. It’s one thing to leave a vacation with your family. It’s another to leave knowing they will be there another week and you have to go back to school.
Yay.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate school. It’s a blessing and blah blah blah. But still. It’s kind of sad.
Needless to say, there I am at the airport. Terrified and, once again, going back through security. Fantastic, because going through security went smoothly—said no one ever.
Right before I walked through, I remembered I had a full water bottle in my backpack and had to go and empty it. I get everything loaded up on the thing that checks to make sure I’m not carrying anything terrible with me.
Also, did I mention how incredibly sweaty I was?
Maybe you don’t know this, but I find there are several different types of anxiety. One of them is the “I’m kind of freaking out, not because I need too, but because I feel like I should freak out just in case” Anxiety.
This anxiety makes me sweat. Like, a lot. Instead of a normal person who gets sweaty and takes their jacket off, I decided to keep mine on. My reasons? Because I really didn’t want to carry it. Also, what if I get cold?
So, no. I didn’t take it off. Instead, I went to the bathroom, covered myself in perfume and hoped the person who would be sitting next to me on the plane could not smell the anxiety pouring out of my skin.
Not to brag, but I think it worked.
Anyways, I get through without any struggles, except when I was trying to get my heavy suitcase off the belt. Literally, two strong guys are waiting for their things behind me. Instead of offering to help, they stood in my way, watched me struggle, and all the while, speaking in another language—probably making fun of me.
Which is fine. But, at least get out of my way.
Soon, I was on my way to the gate, when I got there is was full. The only chair available was behind a couple. The man had his arm all wrapped around his lady. Which wouldn’t have bothered me except his arm hung over my seat.
I assumed he would move it when I sat down.
I definitely assumed wrong.
He looked at me and did not budge. So, I sat, on the edge of my seat, not wanting to be included in this couples cuddling session.
Can you see his arm encroaching on my chair? *Sigh*
Also, there was a man and woman sitting beside me. The man—whose first language was not English—was trying to flirt with the lady. He kept using google translate. Here was my favorite part of their conversation:
Man: Do you enjoy farts and craft?
Woman (laughs): Arts and crafts?
Man: No. I say, do you like farts and craft?
Woman: I really think you’re trying to say ART.
A few minutes later, I boarded the flight and it went well. I had an aisle seat and the couple beside me was super wonderful. In fact, due to the sweating I was probably the smelly person they will complain about on their blog in the future ;). A few hours later, I arrived home with a great adventure behind me. I hope you enjoyed the daily reading. I certainly enjoyed writing it for you. Always praying for you and your own adventures in life. I hope they are filled with more laughter and fun than mine.
Sincerely, your one and only, Gracie Girl.