Fort Bragg Adventure

A couple of weeks ago, we had quite an adventure to Fort Bragg.  It was just the kids and I, and Dad.  We all rode down in his truck.  We got quite a late start, so by the time we got there and finished setting up camp, it was time to get dinner made.  We were already tired, but needed to at least go see the ocean (which is why we came in the first place) before going to bed.  It was the perfect sunset.  The kids loved climbing around on the rocks and playing in the tunnels.  It was a fun evening.

Beautiful Sunset

The next morning after breakfast, we went and played on the beach.  The kids had fun playing in the sand.  Nolan spent most of the time teasing the waves.  As you can see below, a couple of times, the waves got him and his pants soon became drenched.  Annika had fun doing it too, but I wasn't about to let her out there alone.  She has no fear! It was freezing cold water, but I stuck it out with her as long as I could handle.

After lunch, we went back to the beach that had the tunnels.  After a while, I was ready to go for a walk along the boardwalk.  Dad stayed with our stuff and I took the two kids.  I was a little nervous with the distance, but decided it would be ok.  Oh my, big mistake! The way there was fine enough.  It was a long walk, but the kids did good.  On the way back we were tired, feet hurting, etc.  Annika was done! I carried her and she fell asleep.  Nolan was limping along, doing the best he could.  I have a horrible sense of direction sometimes and couldn't remember which was the turnoff to where Dad and the stuff was.  We walked too far, turned back, finally found it! I thought I was going to die! If I had been any more pregnant, I don't know if I could have made it. 

The kids loved these little squirrels.  They came right up to you.  Very friendly little guys. 

We had a good time, but two nights of camping is always just about right! As we were nearly packed up and waiting for Dad to tie down the truck, my phone rang.  I had a feeling not to answer it, so I didn't.  I didn't have much battery left to it.  We didn't have time to visit the ocean that morning.  We barely got out of camp on time.  We were going to stop by the sneaker wave beach on the way home, but Nolan wanted to make it back to Auburn so we could go to the Best Of The Best evening.  He really wanted to go see that ocean, but he said he wanted to support Dad and go to his special event.  Weeellll, that didn't end up happening... 
First of all, we reached Willits and it was time to stop for lunch.  We stopped at a McDonalds.  We got there just after a load of kids off a bus.  It was CRAZY in there.  I couldn't believe the price of a simple cheeseburger.  No dollar menu there.  A happy meal cost the same as a cheesburger, so for the fun of it, I ordered the kids each a happy meal and got myself a cheeseburger and ordered 3 cups of water.  Well, when he called my number, there sat my two happy meals and three bottles of water.  I told him, I had ordered a cheeseburger as well.  But, looking at my receipt, apparently I hadn't paid for it.  The price seemed right for what I had ordered, but instead of paying for a cheeseburger, I had ended up paying for 3 bottles of water, which I was a little annoyed at since I thought I was just going to be given 3 cups of water, like normal.  But, whatever, he gave me a cheeseburger for free.  Probably, just to get me to leave since it was crazy enough in there.  I was still a little annoyed I had paid for the water, but it turned out to be quite a blessing.  As we were driving along, all of a sudden, the truck is dying.  It wasn't the best spot to break down, since right in front of us there was a big turn, where cars are going 60 mph around, but when an alternator goes out, you don't have much of a choice on where you get to pullover.  We got a spot right before that big turn where there was a pulloff to a driveway.  So, Dad pulled out there.  This is when I became glad that I hadn't answered that phone call from earlier to save what battery life was left and that I had 3 cold bottles of water.  :) I had some water from other bottles already, but we would have had to be skimpy on how much we could drink.  If I was just given 3 cups of water, I wouldn't have taken it with us.  I tried calling AAA from my phone, but had a really hard time getting reception and got cut off and couldn't get a phone call out again.  I texted Adam to have AAA call me back.  Once again, we got cut off.  My battery was blinking at me.  It was going to die any second.  I was trying to get one last text out to Adam, telling him where we were located and the AAA membership number.  Just before it died, the text sent.  WHEW! We waited and waited.  I began to doubt whether that text really sent.  A few people stopped to see if we were ok, but mainly just people who were pulling off anyway to go up the driveway.  I couldn't believe no highway patrol drove by in the 2 1/2 hours we sat there.  Luckily, we had a spot in the shade behind some mailboxes, but it was quite warm.  Finally, a guy pulled over and let Dad use his cell phone to call AAA.  This was his second time passing by us, the first time he was in his Budweiser truck.  The second time on his way home in his regular truck.  He told us to remember what kind of beer to drink from now on...haha.  Sorry, we don't drink beer, guy.  Finally, our tow truck arrived.  The driver said he got two calls about us.  So, I guess the text I sent Adam sent after all.  Also, the highway patrol showed up shortly after, also thanks to Adam.  I am lucky to have such a caring husband who gets so worried when there is a problem with his family, but sorry to anyone who got a phone call of him freaking out.  :) He doesn't handle these situations too well, but I've known that for a while.  ;) In an emergency, I know that I am the one who will have to remain calm.  :) ANYWAYS, the kids did so well the whole time.  Of course, the tow truck ride was one of the hilites.  They had a good nap on the way home.  The driver had a phone charger I was able to plug in to my phone and let my worried husband know we were ok.  This was quite an adventure, but I told Nolan, I don't remember many vacations growing up where a tow truck was not involved.  They just went hand in hand with vacations.  :) It was always quite exciting, I thought!