We’ve just spent the last week recuperating from our vacation. After taking an informal poll, it seems that many people have to do the same thing. Often, unfortunately, vacations the opposite of what they’re meant to do – bringing calm, relaxation and renewal. Ours was interesting to say the least…
We set off on July 3rd for Memphis to participate in an Independence Day parade that Jill’s grandmother (Gram) started 60 years ago. It’s called the Aurora Circle-Mimosa parade and is touted as the oldest neighborhood parade in Memphis. It was fun having 3 generations participate in something Gram started 60 years ago. Our 3 boys along with Jill’s sister, Amy’s 3 boys all participated. They decorated their bikes and scooters in red, white and blue, and had a blast. The fire trucks kicked off the procession around the neighborhood and provided a firehose shower from the ladder at the parade’s conclusion. Everyone had a great time. That was day one of the vacation.
From there, things got a bit more interesting. We had planned to all go to Round Cove, near Winchester, Tennessee, for a few days of togetherness and relaxation. God had other plans. He’s so creative that way.
After our 3 car caravan had taken the 127 exit from I-24 South, our transmission went out in our van. We need a new van, but Dave Ramsey would be so proud of us buying it used a few years ago and continuing to drive it until it falls apart. Unfortunately, I think that has begun to happen. Rapidly.
So we got the van towed and somehow got the family all up on the mountain by late Sunday night, July 5th. We had just planned to stay on the mountain for 3 days and then come home, but with the van saga that would unfold, I had to make frequent trips into town. With each trip I fell a little more in love with Winchester, Tennessee.
I had a big project I was working on that required some alone time and high speed Internet. I found both at the San Miguel Coffee Co. in the square. Such a delightful place to have coffee, wonderful food and get some work done. If you’re ever in Winchester, you should definitely stop by!
Long story and $3000 short, we finally got the van fixed and made it home, stopping in Memphis half-way.
We were “forced” to stay a couple extra days, but it was nice to hang out with my wife and 3 sons and do absolutely nothing. Since I’m always doing something, that presented a challenge. So with our 6 day adventure extended to 10, we have been home a week and gotten back to normal. Whatever that is.
So glad for the new friends, deeper relationships and great memories. God works it out. It’s usually not what we had in mind. It’s better.
