Looking for Lincoln

So, we're here for our annual trek back to Illinois. The primary purpose for this trip is to watch M conclude his summer-long drum and bugle corps tour with Pacific Crest at DCI Championships in Indianapolis. We're also spending some time with family, too. Unfortunately, we won't be visiting any new NPS units. 😢

But there are always NPS passport cancellations to collect, which is what brought us to Atlanta, IL today.

First stop - Atlanta Public Library for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area stamp!

Leaving Las Vegas

From previous treks to Vegas, we have learned the hard way that driving back to Southern California on a Sunday is almost guaranteed to be total misery. On any other day without traffic, we can easily make it in about 4.5 hours. The absolute worst was when we literally crawled the entire way from Jean, NV to Victorville, CA on I-15, taking more than 8 hours to get home. Ugh! So, needless to say, it was a no-brainer to stay through until Monday.

ʻOhana

After yesterday's reunion activities, I'm thankful that the only strenuous thing about the family slot tournament is pushing a button. 

Repeatedly. 

For twenty minutes.

Left-handed.

Because (ow!) my right arm (oof!) is really sore!

*sigh*

Armed and Dangerous

The first official family reunion festivities started today, beginning with bowling at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. I think we took up nine or ten lanes!

Red Rock Canyon

This morning as we were walking thru the casino to get some breakfast, we bumped into a bunch of our Chicago clan. The whole group then headed over for a caffeine fix from Starbucks in the Golden Nugget and saw two more cousins from Kauai. By the time we got back to the California, Aloha Specialties was open, with three more cousins and their spouses stopping in while we were eating. Even though we had only been up for a couple hours, we had already gotten an early start on hugs and laughs.

^^^This.

This is what I love about our family and what I love about coming to Vegas for a reunion.

They Might Be Giants

Not many things could bring us to visit Las Vegas in the sweltering heat of summer except a family reunion and basketball. With the NBA Summer League expanding to all 30 teams, we're getting the most bang for our buck on this trip!

Like the last family reunion, we are down a man again. M is missing out on this one because he is touring all over the country this summer with Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps. We'll catch up with him in August at Drum Corps International's World Championships in Indianapolis.

More on that later. Let's get back to Vegas...