168 hours...No Way!

What an exciting week it has been!

Today is Sunday...

168 Hours ago we were packing frantically in our mud house in rural Kenya, saying a few good-byes and excited for the trip ahead of us.

The next morning, we were up at 4am to finish packing, load the van, and head to Nairobi.  The van left at 6am.

In Nairobi we stopped at the Sheldrick elephant orphanage and it was awesome!  We were able to interact face to face with baby elephants, touch the live tusks of young elephants, and watch Grandma get run over by an elephant!

Face to Face with a Baby Elephant

After the orphanage we went to KFC and reminded ourselves of American food and what was soon to come.

The first flight was full but comfortable, the second was half full so we each had two seats, and the third and final was very cramped, but we finally arrived in Chicago after 40 hours of travel (18 in the air).  Without an active phone we used the airport wifi to contact our driver and soon he was there to take us "home".

We made it to the Comfort Inn Newville around 7pm on Tuesday, ordered a Rosatti's pizza and settled in for the night.  The next morning the kids swam and enjoyed American food while Jodie and I got right to work:  find a car, check on the house, activate our phones, call loved ones, have friends over, plan our trip, etc.  Friends stopped by and welcomed us with their love, others called to chat, and a good day was had by all.

#HotelLife

Thursday, Jodie went to the laundry mat, while Keyta and I activated our phones and bought a van.  Actually, now that I reflect, Marquite spent so much time with her friends these past few days this is one of the rare things we did together!  On Thursday, less than 48 hours since we had arrived home from Kenya, we were sitting in the pool with some great friends, eating, drinking, and reminiscing.  Our laundry was done, we were packed and ready (again), our phones worked, and we had a van...and a plan!

Friday morning, we were up and ready to go, did some final packing for the trip, called and activated AAA, called and put insurance on the van, packed the van and was off.  Quickly, we dropped some bags at my parents house, signed the paperwork at the insurance agency, filled up at Kwik Trip, got groceries at The Pig and headed out.

The kids at Gettysburg

Friday we left town at about 11am and drive to Chambersburg, PA (26 miles from Gettysburg) arriving at 2am, thanks to Google sending us on a wild goose chase through rural Appalachia.  Saturday, we awoke, drive to Gettysburg (loved it) and started out towards Boston.

Is this a real cannon?

About 100 miles from our hotel (near Boston), a loud clanking started-followed by dragging-and including a very loud muffler sound.  God, had placed us near a rest stop, so we pulled over to check it out.  Sent some pics to a car friend, fed the kids, and went to the gas station to find "something" for a temporary fix.  When the gas station attendant saw me and heard what I was doing she laughed out loud and went into "fix it" mode.  She looked everywhere for something to use, told me to pull my car up, and assured me she could help.  I went to the car, called our other hotel and asked them to cancel without any penalties (which they did) and pulled the car up where our new friend, and angel, Kayla, came out and "temporarily rehung our catalytic converter".

Meeting our Angel, Kayla

Amazed by God's plan, placement, and timing we thanked her-drove to the nearest hotel and settled in for the night.

It is now the next morning, the kids are downstairs enjoying their breakfast, Jodie is still in bed, and I am typing this blog.  In an hour we will be out the door (in our van) to drive to the commuter rail to catch a train to Boston.  There we will meet one of our best friends, Todd, and spend the day on the Freedom Trail, Jodie will get some Clam Chowder, and the kids will visit Harvard and MIT (no pressure kids).  Tonight, Jodie will get her lobster and we will enjoy the company of our friend.

Tomorrow, we will get the car fixed and head to Connecticut to meet our friend (and fellow Kenya traveler) Mason Wood for lunch!  Then, off to see one of Jodie's closest childhood friends in New Jersey where we will be staying for a few days as we explore The Big Apple.  In NYC we will explore the city and see all of the big sites and hopefully meet our friends (and fellow Tiders) Casey and Jenna as they continue their lives in the Big City after growing up in E-town.  After NYC...who knows?

Thanks for the love, prayers, and support!  We appreciate all you do for us!!

The Klamm Fam