Dale and the kids getting a front row seat on the river.
Next : Rexburg, Idaho. Home of BYU Idaho (or to us Alumni, home of Rick's College)
Neither Dale or I had been back to Rexburg since we left over 15 years ago. It was fun to see the campus again!
Even though Dale and I had known each other long before attending Rick's, some of my fondest memories are tied to the time we spent together at school. We spent every day together, just talking, walking and doing mundane things. The foundation of our friendship already layed, all we had to do was fall completely in love, and we did. Each day filled with hope, faith, love, and excitement for what may lay ahead for us.
Despite the great feelings between us, I was well aware of the risks involved in loving Dale, and he was fully aware of the risks that came with me. Heartbreak was a stones through away for both of us, and we gambled that risk everyday just to be together. This awareness made the day Dale proposed to me one of the most shocking, sweet, incredible days of my life! I will never forget the details of that day, and am still in shock 15 years later! (yes, we passed the 15 year mark while on our trip in August!)
The day he proposed in Rexburg: After a long, (possibly up to 2 miles long!) scavenger hunt all over the campus,(which included going to many different buildings and finding the next prewritten note, one note even had me get a choco taco from Taco Time!) After getting the last note at his apartment which instructed me to follow the railroad tracks to a bridge, my mind raced with "what a neat way to ask me to a dance!" to "he is about to ask me to marry him!?!?!" ...as he came out from under the bridge my mind continued.."he is about to ask me to marry him!" then he didn't get on bended knee.."what a romantic way to ask me to a dance!"..."Tammy, (finally! the question!)I want to know if you will be my eternal companion?" ........I think I said yes, all I remember is embracing him so he wouldn't see the tears and mistake them for sadness! As we shared in what is clearly the most romantic, sweet, private moment of our lives, we kissed.....only to be interrupted by the loud cheers of Patrick and Shawn who were perched on top of a box car watching the whole thing unfold..(they had followed me once I was on the train tracks)...
One of the most memorable parts of our western trip for me was visiting the bridge 15 years later with all my children in tow....
Next: Yellowstone National Park
The first time I went to Yellowstone was with Dale a few months before we were married. I believe it was the first time I had ever been to a national park! I was in awe the entire time! Not only was life bringing about some exciting changes, but I was seeing some of the most exciting things that I had ever seen! As the years went by, Dale's grandmother talked often about her time working at Yellowstone during her courtship with Dale's Grandfather. They both worked at Old Faithful Inn during the 1920's....Yellowstone is not just uniquely beautiful, but it has sentimental value for our family and my children as well.
"old Faithful" geyser
The Old Faithful Inn
Inside the Old Faithful Inn
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Many Bison roamed Yellowstone. Each National Park had a unique way of warning visitors of dangerous animals...Yellowstone decided to draw a cartoon depicting a bison 'goring' a person. The person was in mid air, camera around his neck and underneath was a caption warning you to stay 25 yards away from bison. After the bear incident in Sequoia, I took their warning very seriously...this picture was snapped from the safety of the car....
Next: Theodore Roosevelt State Park, North Dakota
You read that right...we went to North Dakota! Dale had been to 47 of the lower 48 states, North Dakota was all he had left, so he added it to our trip. It was unexpectedly beautiful! The park is located in the "badlands" and had some very pretty views. In addition to more bison and some wild horses, the park had prairie dogs everywhere! They were fun to see popping in and out of their holes....
as we were approaching North Dakota, we could see a rainbow for quite some time. It seemed to be following us. It was way to big for me to fit it in one shot, so here is the rainbow in part.
Little Falls was randomly selected because of a state park there. We actually had a nice time there. They had a small river walk that had some interesting information about the town's history. We walked on the river walk, played on a very nice school playground and went to a little movie theater on main street.
Next Stop: Mall of America
I just had to see this place! We didn't tell the kids until we got there what we were doing. I can't say the boys were very excited, but Melissa and I were pretty happy to stop and check it out! After visiting the Lego store, we rode some of the rides. You can't see it, but in the picture above Alex and Greg are riding the roller coaster.
Next Stop: Chicago!
The view from the tower
Aren't these hanging clear boxes a fun idea?? Dale and Melissa were a bit squeemish about standing mid air, but everyone else seemed just fine. You do lose your stomach a little bit when you first stand on the glass looking down....
Next Stop: HOMEEEEEE!!!!! after over 3 weeks of travelling, we were so ready to be home ! On our way, the city of Pittsburg helped us end our trip with a bang, literally! We were able to watch this fireworks display for quite a while as we drove!!
5 comments:
Oh, how amazing! I want to do that someday. I can't believe that Shawn and Patrick were watching you get proposed. So much for privacy, but I guess you already knew that you were marrying those two as well! You should have told us when you were going to be in Chicago and we would have met you. We'll catch you next time, though.
Awww! Love is great.
Great ending to an awesome trip. I'd forgotten about Patrick and Shawn being in on the proposal. But I would imagine they helped set it up too. Fifteen years is starting to be a long time. This trip will be one of the highlights in life as you look back in fifteen more years. Thanks for sharing it with us.
What great memories for your family!! I started to cry when I read this post - only because I'm pregnant!! How sweet you and Dale have been together and so happy for 15 years. CONGRATULATIONS!!
The part about Dale proposing to you...well, I won't comment on that...The rest looks fun though! How interesting to visit Rexburg. We would like to go up that way again some day also.
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