This is the condensed wedding vacation photojournal of Sherry and Lonnie [as told by Sherry]. Lonnie, Kahea and I headed westward on Saturday, June 30, for the vacation of our lifetime -- and it happened to include our wedding!
There were times of silence, laughter, nervousness and happiness. Through all those times, it was always a time to share our love. Our love has been captured in these photos and each other's hearts.
Saturday, June 30, 2001
on the road
Lonnie drove plenty of miles that day [more than I've driven in my lifetime!], taking us from central Texas to Oklahoma [to get Kahea], back through Texas and to New Mexico. As much as I hate to admit it, the roadsides in Okie were beautiful. The fruit and veggie stands along the highway were abundant in rich hues. The skies in New Mexico were a beautiful, rich light blue in color. We finally made it to Albuquerque where we were to meet Lonnie's sister and her family.
We were all tired by nightfall and looked forward to a night's rest and a refreshing morning.
Sunday, July 1, 2001
on the road
The morning started early ... and with a sick child! Lonnie made an early-morning jaunt to WallyWorld for some medication to help battle this nagging cough and cold that Kahea had.
Kahea thought she was feeling better until we walked along a street of Old Town Albuquerque. Although pale and sluggish, Kahea drug along with us. The street was lined with beautiful adobe buildings adorned with peppers and flowers. Beautiful. Our stay was short since Kahea was still sick and queasy. Back on the road for us, so Kahea could rest.
Kahea slept until we got to Flagstaff, Arizona. There we made her get up, out of the car and in some fresh air. We ate lunch at a local park with a red and gray squirrel. The squirrel wasn't just running around, the ratty critter was on the table eating Lonnie's fries!
Oh, we saw the corner of Winslow, Arizona! There was no need to stand there nor to get out of the car. The town was somewhat aged and rundown.
Before we drove into Las Vegas, we stopped at the Hoover Dam. We were going to wait there for the rest of our "wedding group," but it was just too hot! The air was so thick and heavy with heat, it could take your breath away.
Daddy holds his sweetie, Kahea, at the Hoover Dam. Although this was Kahea's first trip to the Dam, I don't think the enormity of it overwhelmed her as much as her sickness.
Kahea and I at the Dam. Hot. Miserable. Miserably hot. But, it was cool to make a wish / toss a quarter over the dam's wall as we crossed the Arizona-Nevada state line.
Lights dotted the distance. Kahea enjoyed seeing the skyline of Las Vegas as we neared the city of lights. I think Kahea was in total awe when Lonnie drove us down Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the Strip. She was in total amazement when we showed her the pyramid, the Luxor, and told her that's where we'd be staying. That is also where we met up with Lonnie's sister and her family again.
Monday, July 2, 2001
Las Vegas
This is the wedding vacation group. We took two different routes, stopping a various places, to end up in Las Vegas together for our wedding. We [from left: Sherry, Kahea, Chance, Donna, David, Alex and Lonnie] were posed in the lobby of the Luxor, heading out to the Strip for the day.
Our family on the terrace of the Venetian.
We stayed at the Luxor Hotel & Casino. The rooms were awesome in size and amenities [even providing one with bottled water at a steep $4 per bottle!]. The hotel was well-equipped with slot machines, eateries and the second floor was full of kid-friendly things -- arcade, IMAX theater, King Tut Museum and McDonald's.
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Tuesday, July 3, 2001
Las Vegas
Lonnie described this awesome burger place he had eaten at in California. I mentioned having eaten a great burger in Cali, too, never thinking it would be at the same burger joint. It was. It was In 'n Out Burger ... and we spotted one in LV. Awesome homemade burgers!
Tuesday afternoon was our bachelorette / mom-daughter afternoon while Lonnie was with his best friend, Pat, doing guy things. Kahea and I went to Mandalay Bay for lunch, then to the arcade at the Luxor.
Kahea and I learned how to play Skilliards at the arcade. Skilliards is a billiards game played in the format of and on a course similar to putt-putt golf. We had loads of fun and alot of laughs as we ended up in water hazards and bunkers. By the way, Kahea scored a 36 and I had a 41.