All the makings of a National Lampoon’s Vacation

     Six people on a ten hour drive stuffed in a truck like toes in a glass slipper. A theme park, wrong turns, and some fireworks. There is never a dull moment when Darren’s family is around, except of course when they all fall asleep on the couch during a movie they were dying to watch. I love it when they come to visit! We took them to all of our favorite restaurants and hot spots around town. Maybe Darren and I are missing our calling as tour guides…

     On the fourth, Darren fired up the grill in his Man Kitchen (aka the deck) and we enjoyed  All American Cheeseburgers and backyard volleyball. After dinner we followed all the other Durham residents to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park for some American baseball and fireworks timed to a selection of patriotic songs. I love the way fireworks rock all of your senses! The bright explosions, the bangs and crackles that echo off surrounding buildings, the smoke that drifts by your nostrils, and the gun powder and particles that fall on you when a firework doesn’t exactly shoot off in the direction in which it was intended. Yes, we got more than we paid for this time, then again, it was a free event! Basking in the goodness of all things America, we fought the traffic on our way home and watched our own backyard firework extravaganza, brought to us by the great Ross Goodrich. 

     The next evening we set out to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg via the Norfolk Naval Base. Not exactly a straight shot when you have the wrong address, but once again, iphone to the rescue. (Oh how I adore google maps and GPS) On the way we were within a few miles of the house my mom grew up in. Nostalgia took over, and Darren promised that we would return to explore Norfolk when we had more time. 

    The roller coasters were up early and waiting for us the next morning when we arrived at the park. Bonus: this time the park was open! Last year we made the same trip and found out that Busch Garden’s operating schedule is seasonal in Virginia…something that would never cross the mind of a true Floridian. Needless to say, we had an amazing time soaring and dropping through the air on the rides while Darren’s mom looked on from the ground with our “loose articles” and a queasy stomach. Nothing says family quite like two minutes in the bumper cars!