321 Days have passes since we arrived in sunny California. This time last summer we were busy winding down from Mission Possible and getting ready for the madness of July: VBS, MC2 Camp, Game Nights, Bowling Trips, Mission Nights, softball games, and all the spontaneous fun that summer youth ministry brings. Parts of us still deeply miss those things. We miss the known. We miss the youth. We miss the families that we grew to love so deeply! However, we are continuously grateful for our West Coast adventure. Since we have come all this way, we decided early on to make the most of our time out here. With such a decision in the forefront of our minds, we decided to kick our summer off with a couple trips. Allow us to fill you in:
My (Megan) classes ended June 15. After completing my first year of doctoral studies I was ready for a break from the reading, studying, and researching for a bit (I have summer assignments to do). With a break needed we headed off to San Diego on June 17. We spent the day at the San Diego Safari Park Zoo. It was so nice to spend the day together. We rode the tram around the animal park and saw tons of cool animals. It’s the closest thing to an African Safari we’ve ever been on. We also walked around the park and checked out all the exhibits. It was a great day!
Shortly after our zoo adventure we packed up and headed east to Vegas. Since Chris had to work on our 4th Anniversary he planned the whole Vegas trip as an Anniversary surprise. Those of you that know me (Megan) well know I HATE surprises. I have to have a plan and I have to know the plan. However, he was relentless and would not divulge details. I knew we were going to Vegas but knew little more than that.
Upon our arrival we checked into the Luxor Hotel (it’s the pyramid shaped hotel) and changed to head down to the strip. We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant at the MGM and then saw the Jabbawockeez perform. It was awesome. (They are a dance crew if you’re not familiar with them).
The next day we got up early and walked around Vegas. We visited the Venetian Hotel and rode the famous Gondola ride. It was nice. (Side note: the couple that rode with us was celebrating their 25th Anniversary). We also walked around the Bellagio Hotel and toured an art exhibit in the hotel. That hotel was HUGE! We then headed back to our hotel for lunch and some down time before the big surprise.
Around 3pm we got ready and Chris informed me that we would be going to the Grand Canyon---via helicopter! I was so excited! It was an amazing trip. I’m convinced it is the only way to see the Grand Canyon. We flew over the Hoover Dam and right into the Canyon. It was awesome. God truly is the artist of all artists. It was a sight to see. I could have stayed there all day enjoying the beauty of it all! After taking a million pictures we enjoyed a picnic and then flew back to Vegas.
Our final evening in Vegas we walked around the strip, visited some additional hotels, and saw the Bellagio water/lights show. We concluded our evening with a ride on the Vegas Monorail. That was an experience. We have a really funny story of a lady we had the pleasure of accompanying on our ride back to the hotel. But words on a page just won’t do it justice. We die laughing every time we hear the word “monorail” now.
Wednesday morning we made the 4 hour drive back to CA. The rest of our summer will include Chris going to a conference, taking classes, Megan’s family visiting, Haley and Jay’s wedding in OH, and surely plenty of other adventures. We’ll keep you posted! What are your summer plans? We’d love to hear from all of you.
--Megan
