I was 16 or 17. We had a G R E A T youth group and a fantastic youth pastor. He was all about making memories. He was all about telling us, he was all about making memories.
Every summer we went on a trip called Endless Summer. 1.5 weeks of non stop fun. Camping, amusement parks, beaches, and everything in between. It was A W E S O M E. Well, this one year, we took one of those accordian style busses. It was our transportation for the whole trip. Maybe 70 or 80 of us left for our Endless Summer Trip.
For weeks prior to this particular year, our youth pastor had been telling us he had a special surprise that we would not want to miss. To say we were all excited would be a severe understatement. There was SUCH a buzz about our surprise. We could not figure it out.
Heading southbound on Highway 5 toward Los Angeles, a famous stench exists. It is the familiar smell to all Californians and travelers of highway 5 known as Harris Ranch. I think it is home to about 5 gazillion cows, give or take.
Remember that Endless Summer surprise? Yes, a tour. On the bus. Driving the roads in between said cows. In the middle of July. Hot. Flys. Groaning teenagers. AND a gleefully happy youth pastor walking the aisles of the bus yelling “you will never forget this”. He was right. I haven’t.
…and I love it.
A few months ago I get a phone call from my husband in the middle of the day, asking if we could take May 16th off school. Of course. He informs me that there is a frog jumping gig at the Calaveras County fair. He wants to surprise the kids. I immediately thought of the cows. I was in.
Anticipation built with my munchkins.
It was a total crack up and a total surprise until we arrived at our destination.
You see, they didn’t even know that frog jumping existed. Neither did I.
*this picture is titled, WHY WE USE A STROLLER.
It was an unusally wet rainy morning in CA, that we set out. It was cold, damp, and entirely entertaining.
We had a great day.
Here’s to hoping the kids never forget it.
Somehow, I don’t think they will. I can hear it now…”remember when dad took us to that frog jumping fair.”
One of the highlights of the day was when we were walking through all the animals. One of the 4H kids started chatting with us. “Where y’all from?” he says. “Sacramento area”, my husband replies. Them the kid went there….
“YOU CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE, JUST FOR THIS?”
“Y U P”, my husband says proudly.
Making Memories.
because frogs are cool.
