After the Trip! TWB Reflections

TWB Reflections!


The Trip 4 participants gave the following quotes about their TWB experience this summer:

“TWB is an experience of a lifetime and most importantly we get to see all God’s creations and be grateful for him dying for our sins. “ -Claire Cummings, Sanford, NC

“My TWB experience was one I will not forget. Meeting so many people and seeing God’s beautiful creations.” –Hannah Smith, Dallas, NC

“TWB causes growth of friendships, bonds, knowledge, experience, happiness, and exhaustion.” – Morgan Bailey, Reidsville, NC

“TWB was a life changing experience that helped me realize how blessed the land and people of America are.” –McKinley Beaty, Statesville, NC

“Over these 23 days I’ve seen the most beautiful country with the most beautiful people and made the most beautiful memories.” –Samantha Bowen. Laurinburg, NC

“Changed me and my life for the better. An unforgettable experience.” –Ivy Ervay, Dallas, NC

“I could never understand the amount of love I have for 80 strangers until TWB.” –Bailey Earls, Union, SC

“You never really know how much you can truly accomplish until you pack up your things and travel 23 days with 80 strangers.” –Payton Holt, Mount Ulla, NC

“Absolutely, without a doubt, worth the caveman cleanliness and the homeless procedures.” –Emily Stratton, Goldsboro, NC

“TWB is the greatest leap of faith I have ever taken and has given me the best friends of a lifetime.” –Emma Brockman, Cramerton, NC

“I loved traveling the country with close friends, and would absolutely do it again.” –Zachary Storms, Whiteville, NC

“There’s no point in being shy, everyone’s family in the end.” –Cooper Jenkins, Vale, NC

“One of the scariest things I have ever done but 100% the most worthwhile and life changing thing I have ever done.” –Katherine Fortier, Raleigh, NC

“An experience that is difficult to explain because of the close and unique bonds formed with others, and strong feelings you cannot understand until you go on the trip.” –Ava Scardigno, Tega Cay, SC

“The friendships you make on this trip are unlike any friendship you have before the trip.” –Caroline Hill, Gastonia, NC

“On this trip you will laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel the most powerful love while traveling across America.” –Sophia Carter, Cherryville, NC

“Before this trip I was not  sure that our country was as amazing as I thought because of all the bad things happening, but now that I’ve seen what God has created, I know.” –Sealey Sessions, Lake Waccamaw, NC

“I think everyone should have an experience like this one, and I cannot wait to share my experience with others.” –Ansley Feltz, Southern Shores, NC

“It was the greatest experience of my life.” –Alex Faulkner, Spartanburg, SC

“Do not over think things, just do it.” –Mitchell Swicegood, Charlotte, NC

“A life changing experience that I will not forget.” –Larissa (Shalissa) Home, Jonesville, SC

“Some people say it wastes your summer, but this is the best summer of my life.” –Andrew Fleming (Greg), Sanford, NC

“This trip will make you appreciate, love, friendship, and all life God has given to us.” –Cassidy Rodriguez, Gastonia, NC

“It was an honor to discover my country with an amazing bunch of friends.” –Josh Millspaw, Belmont, NC

“My TWB experience was awesome. Had the most fun with people I did not even know.” –Sam Bolling, Stanley, NC

“One of the only times in your life where all you have to focus on is yourself and how beautiful other people and places are.” – Audrey Beaty, Belmont, NC

“This trip showed me that there is so much to do in the USA.” –Hunter Cloninger, Sanford NC

“TWB has taught me that other people can actually find my jokes funny.” –Mallory Morton, Belmont, NC

“This is the most fun I have ever had and the most I have ever laughed. I would not trade this experience for the world.” –Skylar Paschke, Gastonia, NC

“TWB taught me to be myself, appreciate our country, love others, and take nothing for granted.” –Lauren Snyder, Mount Holly, NC

“Enjoy every moment, take it all in, and be adventurous; once in a lifetime experience.” –Landry Freeze, Mooresville, NC

“Will reflect on this amazing adventure for the remainder of my life and hopefully give others the opportunity to do the same.” –Kennedy Martin (Kennywap), Stokesdale, NC

“This is an experience I will never forget and I would not trade it for anything.” –Anna Mason, Gastonia, NC

“Do not be afraid to be wild and stand out because it is the time of your life.” –Carson Carr, Gastonia, NC

“Branching out and opening yourself up is the first step to a great TWB experience.”           –Rachel James, Mooresville, NC

“Greatest 23 days of my life.” –Alex Abernathy, Belmont, NC

“By far the best experience of my life, wish it could last longer than 23 days!” –Cameron Sheffield, Whitmire, SC

“Make the most of the places you see and the friends you meet. You will never get another opportunity like this in your lifetime.” –Cade McConnell, Vale, NC

“If I could go 23 more days, I would go in a heartbeat, on this trip I have met so many amazing people I will never forget.”-Carson Greene, Whiteville, NC

“Do not worry over anything just go with the flow, and have the best 23 days of your life”- Justin Crawford, Belmont, NC
  
“While the places you see are amazing, it’s the friendships you build that make TWB life-changing” –Meredith Shank, Monroe, NC

“I broke my watch early on and did not bother to get another one because you have fun every minute.” –Matthew Fuller, Denver, NC

“Duck down your walls and make friends with everyone.” –Ethan Brewer, Mooresville, NC
“Home is not where you are, its who you’re with.” –Brandon McClenathan, Sanford, NC

“Take one day at a time, you never know what tomorrow will bring.” –Landrie Herr, Salisbury, NC

“Four words: breathtaking, inspiring, life changing.” –Dylan Sutton, Statesville, NC

“Eye opening experience to learn about yourself, God and your country.” –Blaise Shiver, Dallas, NC

“There are no words great enough to describe the friendships made and the places seen on thus amazing trip.” –Kaylee Warren, Mooresville, NC

“An absolutely eye-opening experience.” –Alec Stinnett , Kings Mountain, NC

“This trip of a lifetime was absolutely beautiful!”- Victoria Hamby, Statesville, NC

“Discovering how to make true friends, find God and sleep in freezing and blazing temperatures!” –Jake Inman, Lake Waccamaw, NC

“Don’t be afraid in life, you never know what can happen.”-Luke Harmon, Gastonia, NC

“Best Experience of my life!” –Dakota Jacobsen, Salisbury, NC

“Places you’ve never been, people you’ve never met, things you’ll never forget”-Maxwell Francesco, Cherryville, NC

“We came as scared strangers, but we’re leaving as a loving family” –Madalynn Powell, Ruffin, NC

“Enjoy and make the most of every second of these 23 days.” –Sealey Scott, Whiteville, NC

“The next 23 days of your life will be your best and the people you will meet will be forever apart of your life.” -Morgan Hurt, Raleigh, NC

“The bonds and true friends I’ve made on this trip is something I wouldn’t trade for the world!” –MaKayla Johnson, Gastonia, NC

“This trip is an eye opener, I just want to keep exploring.”-Olivia Smith, Whiteville, NC

“From the Carolinas to Cali and back, I grew to love thus beautiful country more than I could ever imagine!” –Isabella Tarlton, Monroe, NC

“TWB is an experience that you can’t explain with words, you must do it yourself to truly understand.” -Abby Marshall, Mooresville, NC

“Nothing can compare to the TWB experience.”-Kayla Hawkins, Cherryville, NC

“Even with a few hard moments, it was the experience of a lifetime.” -Julia Brice, Fort Mill, SC

“It opened my eyes, and changed my thought about life in all the best ways.” -Macie Curlee, Salisbury, NC

“During TWB, I learned how to be a friend and care for others.” –Crandall King, Concord, NC

“TWB is such an amazing experience, and it leads you to many friendships that will last a lifetime.” –Caroline Whitaker, Sanford, NC

“This trip is an experience I would never trade away.” –Laura Hedrick, Sanford, NC

“Best 23 days of my entire life, I don’t want to ever leave these people.”-Taylor Brooks, Mt. Holly, NC

“By far the best way to see America and make life-long friends at such a young age.”             -Parker Mills, Denver, NC

“It has been an experience of a lifetime with lifetime friends.” -Maximus Pavone, Gastonia, NC

“TWB was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I wouldn’t trade these 23 days for anything.” –Clara Cobb, Mount Holly, NC

“This trip has truly made me want to travel more around the country.” –Michael Punt, Statesville, NC

“It was amazing and cool.” –Kenny Fleming, Clarkton, NC

“TWB will show you how to believe in yourself, trust others and will make you fall in love with America.” –Hannah Caldwell, Denver, NC







"Today is my moment, and now is my story, I'll laugh, and I'll cry, and I'll sing."

Thanks TWB Trip 4 2018 for an amazing and unforgettable 23 days! 


Day 23- Return

Day 23- Return 


Hello for the last time from the Grumpy bloggers!!! This morning, we woke up at Levi Jackson State Park. The dew was pretty rough throughout the night so we woke up to everyone’s stuff soaking wet. Unfortunately, today was our last pack up. It’s sad and also joyful to see how far we have come, especially in terms of how fast we can put up our sleeping bags. Everyone was very emotional but also ready to not have to wake up to a million mosquito bites.

The drive this morning consisted of a lot sleeping, especially since we knew we couldn't sleep our last day away this afternoon. We all woke up in Knoxville, Tennessee (HENRY’S HOME TOWN) which made the fact that today we will be home all the more real.

In Knoxville, TN, we stopped at a Wal-Mart to pick up the ingredients for our very last traveling breakfast and traveling lunch. All the other participants picked up some last minute snacks for the road and also materials to make bracelets, which has been a trend this entire trip.

This morning traveling breakfast was made up of glazed doughnuts, bananas, and other leftover snacks (we have to get rid of all the food, so there was quite an assortment). Everything was delicious and made the day even more emotional. Whose parents would ever let them have doughnuts for breakfast for basically 23 days straight? 

After traveling breakfast, we were instructed by THE GRANT DEATON to stay awake and enjoy the scenery while also reflecting on the past 23 days with our friends. We passed the time by listening to music and making more friendship bracelets. Emotions were running high for the trip.

Traveling lunch today was chicken sandwiches and individual pies (a whole one per person!!). We all had lots of snacks as well, trying to eat them up before we got home. 

When we passed the NC state line the entire bus started yelling, some saying we wanted to turn around and go back and some saying they were excited to be home.

One of our last stops is a NC rest stop (NC rest stops are much nicer than some other places). Cameron S. had the great idea of creating a time capsule so we are all trying to come up with objects to fill the capsule with. Daisy is also yelling at us to finish the blog ASAP.

From here we are headed to the special moment before going to Mallard Creek and going home. We are anxiously awaiting the tearful goodbyes and no one is looking forward to saying goodbye to all our friends. We are excited to not have to wait in line for the bathrooms or wake up to a dew covered sleeping bag.
























Mallard Creek:



 


We are all very GRUMPY that we have to leave and we love all of our new family. 

Today’s Brandonian wisdom is “Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica”.

Grumpy bloggers on the last day!  

Rodger Dodger, Grumpys over and out for the last time.







Day 22- Kentucky

Day 22- Kentucky

This morning we woke up in Carlyle to the beautiful sound of Ms. V yelling “GOOD MORNING LOVELIES, LETS GO SEE AMERICA!!” We quickly loaded the bus and headed off to our first rest stop.  We were treated to a lovely traveling breakfast of Poptarts, GoGurts and bananas. Many participants took this chance to take a nice nap, and Ms. V actually had trouble getting everyone to wake up.

After another “two hours” we rolled through Louisville into Churchill Downs, the famous home of the Kentucky Derby. We were treated to a tour of the Downs and got to explore the exhibits and gift shop. The museum was a big hit with a lot of us as we got to race horses in a stimulator, place bets and dress as jockeys. We got to watch a movie about going to the Derby and the horses, so tickets to the derby might be a big hit on our Christmas lists this year, Mom and Dad!! Abby M was even surprised by her family, who got to join us on our tour of the Downs. Alex Faulkner's Uncle, a 1995 TWBer, also joined us for the tour. 




Alex F. and his uncle, Wesley Linder

Abby M. and her dad!!

Look who's back!






















We were put into dwarf groups leaving the Downs so that we could work on our skits for the final talent show tonight. Yours truly got to ride on Miss America, and we prepared an amazing parody of Saturday night live. Sadly, we did not win the competition. Traveling lunch today was sub sandwiches, which were delicious.  We also had the opportunity to eat oatmeal cookies and leftover yogurt from breakfast. Yum.

Having been gone for almost 23 days, the bus and the vans were getting pretty dirty. To help fix this problem, today we vacuumed out all the vehicles and took them to the car wash. I don’t know how the bus fit, but with the powers of the magical Ms. V,  we made it through. 


For dinner, the participants invaded the historic Sanders Café; also known as the first ever KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). The chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni + cheese and biscuits were exquisite. The tea, however, left something to be desired and we are all ready for some real NC sweet tea hopefully tomorrow once we arrive home.

After dinner, we had a brief drive to Levi Jackson Park in London, Kentucky. We immediately were rushed to the amphitheater where the talent show began. All the dwarf groups had a strong showing in the talent show. There was much laughter and shade thrown! (Something to ask about when your child gets home.) The winning group was the Sleepys who hosted a game of never have I ever and charades. This made for great comedy and some red cheeks (for those called out). The counselors also decided to perform a few skits, making fun and joking around about some of the participants. The whole competition was a blast and a joy to watch. It was most definitely a good laugh!!


We ended the night with a sing-a-long where we sang two of our favorite songs and reflected on all the memories from the past 22 days. Some tears were shed and much love was shown. This was just an opening for how tomorrow will go when we arrive home.

Tonight’s Brandonian wisdom is “A stool with three legs is the most stable chair you can have, but no one is giving that a standing ovation.” HAHA

We’re done for the night and we hoped you enjoyed this blog of day 22! Roger Dodger neck massager, we’re over and out, much love, The Grumpy’s<3