Day 20

Saved the best for last!!  The Grumpy’s are here to wrap up TWB Trip 1 2017!! We are Carly Kurtiak, John Gray Blount, Caleb “Crispy” Bozard, Tristen Brock, Maddie Cabe, Kaite Greene, Alicia Hutchins, Gia Lash, Griffin Law, Aubrie Miller, Logan Swain, Natalie Tillis and Mackenzie Wright!!

After our last night of sleeping indoors, we were woken up with the notorious “GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!” from Dallas! For the late sleepers, along came Jon, threatening to hit us with a broom if we didn’t get out of our sleeping bags fast enough!

After loading up the bus and vans, we were disappointed to find out that we were not allowed to sleep on the vehicles, due to the fact that some people had woken up Mr. G (the Legend) at 2:30 in the morning *cough cough* BOYS.  After our quick trip to Wal-Mart, the new cooks (the Sneezy’s) fed us yogurt (a choice of blueberry, strawberry, or peach), strawberries, and granola bars for breakfast.  We were kept awake for the first 2 hours of driving by heavy metal, vomiting noises, high heat, crying babies, frequencies, cat meows, vomiting noises dog whistles, inspirational quotes, and the song “Honey, I’m Good” on repeat. 

As our patience was tested and our frustration continued, the counselors gave us a break and let us watch movies on the bus (and nap *SHH*), as a break from the continuous corn and wheat fields of Kansas. We voted on which movies we wanted to watch, our choices were “Over the Hedge”, the new “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Napoleon Dynamite” (with some of the guys wanting “Space Balls”… They got salty. LOL). The final vote was close, but we decided on “Napoleon Dynamite!” We made it through the first 15 minutes of the movie, only to find out Jordan Carlson’s DVD was scratched. He made an excuse, saying, “It has been in my bag for 20 days, of course it is going to be scratched!!” We then took another vote for the next movie, in which we settled on the new “Beauty and the Beast”. While the bus enjoyed their lunchtime entertainment, the vans endured “Van Talk” with Dallas and personalized music jams with Jon, Hannah, Matt and Eugene.

Crispy in Kansas!

For lunch, we “enjoyed” bread form #8546…. Hoagies (yes mom, we are all tired of sandwiches... So don’t expect us to be eating that for the next month…) On the “lovely” hoagies, we were able to choose from ham and turkey, mustard and mayo, cheese, and lettuce, along with healthy apple slices and “oreos” for our dessert! 

Woohoo! Another stretch break. We stopped 3 times, with the girl’s bathroom line holding up the trip once again. It got so bad some girls used the guy’s restrooms (gotta do what ya gotta do).  After that we drove for another “two hours”, to a special TWB spot in the middle of nowhere. We pulled off the ramp to an oilrig and took a QUICK group picture. After sprinting back to the buses and vans, we embarked on ANOTHER two-hour stretch. Miss America and driver Hannah missed an exit because co-pilot Crispy Bozard was too busy dancing to his idol, Britney Spears, to pay attention to the directions…

YAY AN OIL RIG!!!!

Shortly after we arrived to our second Wal-Mart stop of the day, we all ran inside to purchase bug spray, after being warned that we were entering humidity and bug territory once again… (we didn’t miss it).

TWB teaches you to sleep whenever and wherever you can as shown by Natalie Tillis and Mary Helen Alford!

Cooks, Liza McIntyre, Anderson Crowder, Blessid Snow, Ian Stines, and Lala Parris!

Once we arrived to our campsite, we got a tour of the bathrooms and realized the showers are pretty far away, and many people are taking on the “No Shower Challenge”. Along with the leader of the challenge, Logan Mantooth (he’s already on day 6… with only taking 2 showers this entire time on TWB), we have: Callie Matthews, Katie Greene, Seth McCachern, just naming a few of his loyal followers.

Ian Stines and Bailee Keller!

Liza McIntyre and Jordan Carlson cooking dinner!

Cooks making quesadillas!

Following our dinner of chicken quesadillas, salsa and chips, and corn this evening, we will embark on competition #4 (the event…still unknown).  It has been around 3 days since our last sing-a-long…looks like Tuttle Creek State Park’s Campers will be serenaded with our lovely voices tonight in the great state of Kansas!

Our competition was popping balloons!!! We separated into our groups and had to run down and pop the balloons without using our hands! The Happy's took the crown... again!!!

With around 2 weeks of no humidity or bugs, we can all collectively say, “We are GRUMPY about coming back into heat, humidity, and bugs.” And with 3 days left, we have mixed feelings about coming home. (We miss you doing our laundry and food, mom. And dad…).  This is the Grumpy’s, letting you know we are not really grumpy, we are just really tired…. Love y’all!!!

Day 19

Hello from the Happys (champs of the day—we’ll explain later)!!!

Today was an early morning, hearing Dallas’ “Good morning sunshines!” at 5:45am! The morning entailed a large number of threats concerning whether or not we would make it to the Olympic Training Center on time. After most TWBers slept 2-3 hours on the bus, we were served a variety of muffins and whole bananas! Even after breakfast, many participants got some extra shuteye—making up for a long night at Mt. Rushmore. 

As we made our way to the Air Force Academy, we were served chicken, bacon, lettuce, cheese, and ranch wraps from the cooks. After lunch, we discovered how tired we all actually were, as we continued to sleep even more (sleep deprivation is catching up to us). While most of us were sleeping, the Miss America van ran into a bit of a gas problem--driving on 0 gas mileage for over 5 miles. Eventually they made it to a gas station called Loaf n’ Jug. How did they do it? I guess they were “Livin on a Prayer”  J

Inside of the Chapel!

The beautiful chapel at the Air Force Academy!

At the Air Force Academy, former TWBer Cadet Addison Smith showed us all around the campus. Addison gave us a quick tour, showing us the chapel, dorms, and student center! Addison even stuck around to receive a few kisses on the cheek from some participants. KISSING CADETS! It’s fair to say the ladies had fun kissing a cadet! After the hot tour we were relieved to get back on the bus with Mr. G and some AC!!!

Cadet Addison Smith informing us about the academy!

Next, we drove a short distance to the Olympic Training Center (we made it after all). There we added to our collection of American gear with some new Team USA hats and T-Shirts.  After we explored the main building, we watched a 15-minute video and took a tour of the entire campus. We even saw a few Olympians in training! SO COOL!

Aubrie Miller, Liza McIntyre, Carly Kurtiak, and Cam Ray!

Bryce Curtis, Ian Stines, Nate Craven, and Caleb Mann with APOLLO OHNO!

Anderson Crowder, Bryce Curtis, and Nate Craven practicing their luge skills!

Lucas Bonomo and Felipe Moda!

Olympic Training Center pool! Just think, Michael Phelps has swam in this pool!!

Taking a tour of the Olympic Training Center!

Lillian Sumner and Jordyn Burrell!

After we toured the Olympic Training Center, we made our way to Colorado College where we would settle in for the night. After we first arrived, we listened to a bit of research on all the things we’d seen today.  Jenna Bright shared on Colorado College, Andrew Pracher shared on The Air Force Academy, Taryn Jenkins shared on the Olympic Training Center, and Blessid Snow shared on the great state of Colorado.

Jenna Bright presenting her research on Colorado College!

Taryn Jenkins telling us about The Olympic Training Center!

Andrew Prachar giving us more information on The Air Force Academy!

Blessid Snow filling us in on the state of Colorado!

After research, the building we were staying at was still locked; this meant the counselors had to get creative in order to pass some time.  We ended up playing Rock-Paper-Scissors war and Bird on a Perch until the cooks left to prepare dinner. What was dinner you may ask? Just the best surprise ever after a long day—Domino’s pizza, chips and cookies. We even were treated to some soda! (Off brand of course—gotta please mama Dallas)

After our dinner, we trucked up the stair with our heavy bags to settle in for the night in the Colorado College auxillary gym. But it wasn’t time for sleep yet—today was the day of the famous TWB Dance Competition! Each group was given some extra time to put finishing touches on our dance routines and get into our outfits (many groups bringing back out the American gear from yesterday).

After a little more practice, the competition began, and the Colorado College gym was filled with the sweet lyrics of “Party in the USA” (over, and over, and over again). Each group brought their best—from shirtless boys in bralettes, to step routines, to Crispy Bozard’s interpretive dance—even the counselors busted some moves! In the end it came down to two groups: the Bashfuls and the Happys. However, only one could win. After a quick game of rock-paper-scissors by the counselors the Happys came out on top!

Camryn Bernhardt and Lillie Griffin!

Winston Wise, Abby Copeland, Jessica Turney, Sara McCarthy, Kristina Vaher, Brogan Brown, Camryn Bernhardt, and Lillie Griffin!

Sarah Bass, Erin Sherrill, Jordyn Burrell, Baylee Willis, and Taryn Jenkins!

All we can say is that we are living up to our name—we are very Happy.

            Signing off for the night and for the rest of the trip,

                        --Happys

            

Day 18

Heeeeellllloooooo people of the Carolina’s! Happys here with a special 4^th of July edition to the blog J

Today we woke up at 6:45am and began frantically trying to gather our still wet (and now smelly) clothes/sleeping bags! As we left,  we said our goodbyes to our new friends from New York who were also traveling out west this summer (however, TWB is better of course). We left Cody, Wyoming in style: decked out in our American gear!!! Our outfits included American Flag leggings, shirts, hats, socks, headbands, and almost any other American attire you can think of because we LOVE America!!!

Matt Harkey and Maddie Cabe!

Nate Craven and John Gray Blount!

We headed east to go to the great state of South Dakota to spend the 4th at Mount Rushmore! Name a more patriotic place to spend the 4^th of July… I’ll wait… On the way, the cooks treated us to croissants with various jams, even Wal-Mart brand Nutella, and half of a banana for breakfast! Many of our TWBers spent the drive looking out the window at Shell Canyon while others caught up on some much needed rest! It was a beautiful drive! Between breakfast and naps we got even more patriotic with our face paint and tattoos (temporary of course).

The vans spent their time jamming to patriotic songs like “American Pie” and “God Bless the USA” to pass the time! The people on Miss America even played Family Feud and Heads up to pass the time until lunch! It didn’t help that we weren’t allowed to eat snacks on the bus/van since we made such a mess with them the day before and all the previous days... Tristen Brock even got busted for snaking on the bus! (It’s ok though--mama Dallas handled it)

We ate a nutritious lunch of sandwich sliders made with Hawaiian rolls, chocolate animal crackers, and whales (which are better than goldfish btw). On TWB we have now experienced every kind of bread--muffins, tortillas, Hawaiian roles, bagels, doughnuts, etc! Carbs across the nation! Not long after that we stopped at Wal-Mart and got questionable looks for our patriotic attire (like the people at Wal-Mart have room to talk). 

Then, we loaded back up and went to a park in Custer, South Dakota, where we separated into our groups to work on our next competition-–the dance off!!!! We each were given the task of making up a dance to “Party in the USA” to perform tomorrow night! The counselors chose “Party in the USA” because that was the song that brought us all together on the first night and still continues to whenever we have sing-a-longs!

Griffin Law, Andrew Prachar, Jada Prichard, Rylee Gaus, Tristen Brock, Tyler Sellers, Caroline McCrorey, Mary-Anna Chewning, Nick Richard, Sarah Royster, Katie Bowyer, Logan Mantooth, and Caleb Mann at Custer Park!

Scattered storms caused us to spend the first 15 minutes of our work time in the vans/busses waiting out the rain. The drizzle finally stopped and we were able to get to work. Each group worked at their own pace until all our attention was drawn to the playground where a couple of TWBers had started a game on the playground spinner (we have no idea what it’s called). In the game, the lucky victim would hold on for dear life as the spinner gave them a whirl. When the spinner would stop, the participant would attempt to run as far as they could—normally ending up on the ground! Most of us didn’t make it far at all. However, our fearless counselors tried and conquered the playground spinner toy...minus Dallas who fell in a puddle!  Actually, really none of them did very well.  After a few more rounds, we were pulled away from our game when the cooks called for dinner. We enjoyed a tasty meal of hotdogs, mac-n-cheese, beans, watermelon, and cupcakes (patriotic themed of course).

Crispy going for a spin!

Jon before....

Jon after...

After we finished eating we got on the bus and headed to the Custer YMCA where we placed our stuff down and shared research from California… yeah, we’re not the best at this research thing. We had a very entertaining rap from Bailey Sloop about California, followed by the performance of Jordyn Burrell who sang to us about Disneyland (we had some catching up to do). Jessica Turney taught us a little about South Dakota, while Rylee Gaus shared about Mt. Rushmore, and Tristen Brock on Custer, South Dakota.

Jessica Turney presenting her research on South Dakota!

Tristen Brock telling us about Custer, SD!

Bailey Sloop spitting the baddest rap about CALIfornia!

Jordyn Burrell singing about Disneyland!

After research we loaded onto the bus to head to Mt. Rushmore! When we first got there we took a group picture and many ran to try the ice cream that had been hyped up to us by the counselors--it did not disappoint! After some more picture taking, we met in the amphitheater at 8:30pm to watch a 4^th of July presentation about the monument! The short film unfortunately lacked audio, however there was a great ceremony at the end honoring our veterans!! The audience then poorly attempted to sing the National Anthem (pretty difficult task considering there was no audio).  After that we loaded back into the bus and came back to the YMCA to tuck in for the night.

Group picture!

Lucas Bonomo, Callie Matthews, and Seth McCrachen!

Mikayla Wright, Brogan Brown, and Leah Mosher!

Ashlee Hamrick and Jordyn Burrell!

That concludes today’s 4th of July special, we hope you enjoyed this blog from Mt. Rushmore, we know that you’ll be RUSHing back for MORE(;

Stay HAPPY my friends!!!!!!!!

                                                         

Day 17

Hello!!!!! Happys here today to give you the daily scoop! We are: Camryn Bernhardt, Brogan Brown, Abby Copeland, Bryce Curtis, Bennett Estes, Richard Fernandez, Lillie Griffin, Kenley Hazel, Sara McCarthy, Camryn Ray, Bailey Sloop, Jessica Turney, Kristina Vaher, and Winston Wise!

Winston Wise, Bailey Sloop, Kristina Vaher, Jessica Turney, Sara McCarthy, Richard Fernandez, Cam Ray, Kenley Hazel, Brogan Brown, Camryn Bernhardt, Lillie Griffin, Bryce Curtis, Bennet Estes, and Abby Copeland!

It’s day seventeen and waking up to Dallas’ good morning songs are still a challenge!! We got some extra shuteye today, waking up at 6:45am.  Some of us had a harder time than others (Rylee Gaus, Lillian Sumner and our own Camryn Ray were unfortunately dragged out of their sleeping bags by Jon Allis), which was amusing to us!!

This morning we headed off for White Water Rafting at Wyoming River Trips here in Cody, Wyoming on the Shoshone River! We were shuttled to the center by the company rather than our own Mr. G. We had the opportunity to sign the bus we rode in as well as seeing past participant’s signatures!! So awesome! When we got to the center we were strapped into our life jackets and took a group picture then were shuttled to the Shoshone River. From there we split up into groups of ten and met with our guides to have a brief safety meeting, because safety is number 1!!!

Ready for white water rafting!!

Ashlee Hamrick, Maddie Cabe, Jessica Turney, Kenley Hazel, Tristen Brock, John Gray Blount, and Jada Prichard!

Eugene and Jon ready to raft!

Camryn Bernhardt, Nick Richard, and Kacie Barrett!

We set off on our twelve mile rafting adventure… some became more wet than others because the rapids were awesome since the water was a little higher than normal! We saw many beautiful sites such as the Red Rock Canyon and some groups got to witness magnificent wild life such as deer and bald eagles!! MERICA! Meanwhile, others spent the whole ride singing at the top of their lungs and celebrating one of our guides Hunter’s birthday!

After the ride we waddled with numb feet onto the buses back to the campsite. We were then greeted with one of the best meals we’ve had on the trip so far which was provided by our amazing counselors! We feasted on toast with various jams, eggs, sausage, and grits with our choice of orange juice or water! YUM! Because of the freezing water we shivered while eating our breakfast. However, we weren’t cold for much longer because we began baking in the warm sun!  After breakfast we were put to work with dishwashers cleaning dishes and bus cleaner’s fixing the buses which had Sour Patch Kids and Cheetos thrown every where…gross right? Good thing we’re bloggers (but sorry for the mess bus cleaners and thanks to the parents for the snacks that were thrown on the ground). Along with jobs we were also shuttled to the Laundromats where we washed our clothes for the final time this trip! While we were there we socialized and went to the Starbucks in the grocery store! However, Sara McCarthy went to urgent care with Hannah during everyone’s free time due to a bug bite that swelled on her leg. Luckily she was okay and got a steroid shot on her hip so she was ready for the rodeo!

Line for the girls bathroom is ALWAYS loooooong!

When we weren’t doing laundry we were back at the campsite, sleeping, playing soccer/Frisbee, or going to the Dairy Queen right up the road. Our camp neighbors even joined us for a game of soccer and we learned some neat soccer tricks!

Everyone was showering and getting ready for the rodeo and had time to make a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich with chips and cookies for lunch! A TWB Original meal! Girls in particular had a great time waiting ten people deep for the shower lines, boys always have it easy!! In that free time we were given the chance to talk to our parents and other family members, which is always enjoyed because we miss hearing all your lovely voices! Dinner was served around 5:00pm and we had delicious chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and green beans, and a patriotic cookie! After dinner we loaded onto the bus to go shopping in downtown Cody where we spent most of our time in the Yellowstone Gift shop avoiding the rain/deciding which cowboy hat to buy for the rodeo!

Lillie Griffin, The Grant Deaton, and Abby Copeland!

From there we headed to the rodeo capital of the world, Cody Stampede in Cody, Wyoming (which almost smelled as bad as New Orleans).  We saw some interesting things including the new and improved Elvis Presley, foreign cowboys, and even our own TWBers riding the mechanical bull!  Despite the smell, the food was good even though you had to pay an extra dollar for jalapenos, so worth it! Halfway through the rodeo it started to down pour and we all knew what was coming, but more on that later.

Caleb Bozard, "Crispy" having the ride of his life!

Nick Richard and Abby Copeland!

Erin Sherrill taking a ride on the mechanical bull! 

Richard Fernandez, Lucas Bonomo, Winston Wise, and Cameron Thomas!

Lucas Bonomo and Callie Matthews!

The rodeo ended at 10:00pm and we all swarmed back to the bus where we sat in the parking lot for 20 minutes and heard stories from Dallas and Jon, which we can safely say we’ve never heard in a storybook. We finally got out of the parking lot and made it safely to the campsite where we discovered our stuff had been drenched even though we’d put tarps over our things before we left. Shout out to our friendly camping neighbors for grabbing our tarps after they blew away and placing them back on our stuff and also to Matt and Grant for keeping the laundromats open for us to dry our wet sleeping bags! 

That concludes another unforgettable day across America! While this was our first blogging experience we hope you enjoyed it! These are the HappysJ signing off!!!!

Love,

The Happy’s!