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Monday, January 14, 2013

Off Like A Dirty Shirt

This is going to be a new experience, or at least one we haven't done in a long (long) while.  We're leaving our South Carolina "home" tomorrow for a car trip (!) up to Pennsylvania and then over to New Jersey.  We're leaving the Journey in the capable hands of our grandsons Andrew and Owie (supervised by mom Heather) to keep an eye on while we're gone for a week.

The scary part is we're going to stay in a couple of hotels (!!!) to break up the 700+ mile trip.  Of course, last night I watched a news clip on bed bugs found in hotels.  You can bet we'll be looking over those sheets with a fine toothed comb.

The main reason we're going is for our son Ryan's promotion to a U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer (E-7).  It's a big deal and it will warm my heart to see the Chief Petty Officer Anchor collar devices that at one time adorned my uniform be placed on his collar.

It's a tradition for a former Chief to pass down his anchors to someone he feels deserves to wear them and I can't think of anyone more deserving for this honor than my son Ryan. 

It's been an amazing journey to watch him grow from a young teenager into a mature man and leader in his career.  Not that I'm a proud dad or anything.

We'll have a good time, too with Ryan's girls, our granddaughters Taylor, Kierra and Rebekah and their mom, Amber (that girl can cook!). 

To make our trip a "two-fer", we're also going to spend a couple of days making a short two hour drive over the weekend to Jersey and see Corey, Amanda and little Anabelle.  We need a double granddaughter fix to tide us over for the next couple of months.

We'll continue to post while we're gone and will include pictures...hopefully not of bed bugs! :cO

Thanks for visiting and feel free to leave a comment.

22 comments:

  1. It's never the same to stay in a hotel after living in an RV. I hate packing anymore :) Have a safe trip (no snow!).

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  2. How wonderful that you can pass those anchors to your son. I can't imagine how proud you must be. Congratulations to Ryan.

    I am simply paranoid about bedbugs. Good luck!

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  3. I'm certain that passing along your anchors to your son will be a very heartfelt experience.
    May there be no bad weather in your travels or bedbugs in your beds! We hate hotels after traveling in our own rig.

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  4. You'll be part of the ceremony? What a great tradition.

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  5. We know you and Marti must be so proud of Ryan. Looking forward to pictures of the event.

    Safe travels.

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  6. Well, here's hoping you don't even see one little teeny tiny bed bug. Congratulations to Ryan. That's quite an honor to earn his rank. It's also quite an honor to have a proud dad there to share in the festivities. He'll wear your emblems proudly! In the meantime I'm sure Andrew and Owie will see that the Journey is in perfect condition when you return.

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  7. enjoy the road trip! Should be interesting to hear what you have to say about staying in hotels!

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  8. And I'm sure there will be a few tears so be sure and take an extra hanky or two. Makes my throat tight just thinking about it and how happy and proud you must be. Looking forward do seeing pictures of this great occasion.

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  9. You should be a proud papa moving the anchors on is a great tradition. Enjoy the trip and sleep fast so the bedbugs don't bite.

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  10. Congrats to Ryan. And very nice that you're passing on your anchors to him.

    What a great trip you have planned.

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  11. The scary part is we're going to stay in a couple of hotels to break up the 700+ mile trip.
    Cool Rv Store

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  12. Nice achievement. Glad you're able to participate. It is a strange way to travel, but don't worry the RV will become party central. :))

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  13. Congratulations to Ryan! We are already looking forward to pictures from the ceremony. Safe travels and enjoy every second with your granddaughters.

    John and Ellen
    connectedtothevinephotography.blogspot.com

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  14. Congrats to Ryan. I'm sure pictures will be coming soon!

    Hotel.....ugh!

    Our super weather guy here says a big arctic blast is coming to the east coast and it's going to be a strong one. I even heard single didgets in Atlanta.

    I hope you guys have a warm toasty place to stay and the rv won't freeze without you. He's predicting it for around the 24th.

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  15. The passing of the anchors will surely be a moving moment for both of you. Enjoy your vacation!

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  16. Congratulations to Ryan! Travel safely, stay warm, don't pick up any bedbugs and give those grandkids lots of lovin'.

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  17. Congratulations to Ryan. I am sure you are very proud.
    Travel Safely.

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  18. Congratulations to your son Ryan on his promotion. You have every right to be as proud of him as I know you are.

    As for having to sleep in a motel again, if I ever do I think I'll bring my own sleeping bag to put on the bed!

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  19. Ahhh, that cold heart is melting! hehehe Not really, I just could not resist. Give that young man of yours our hearty congratulations. And you two, drive safely, you know there are maniacs out there on the roads in RVs.

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  20. Congratulations to Ryan! You should be a proud Dad. Safe travels!

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  21. Safe travels to you and my congratulations to you and Ryan. Enjoy your trip. You're coming to my neck of the woods.

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  22. Congratulations to Ryan and so wonderful that you are able to particpate in his promotion cermony!!! You should be very proud that he is following in your footsteps:o))

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