The National Infantry Museum, Fort Benning, Georgia

While in Georgia for Family Day weekend, we stopped to visit The National Infantry Museum. This was a fascinating museum that honors America’s infantry by way of exhibits, combat simulators, re-creations, and even an IMAX theater!

My husband and youngest daughter took part in a combat simulation, and I was allowed inside to sit inside the mounted HMMWV and watch, front row, as they stood on the back of the vehicle with guns at the ready to penetrate the rebel territory in an effort to rescue the humanitarian aid workers.

It was all so very exciting and life-like, it felt as if we were really riding in a HMMWV going up and down the terrains and around buildings, dodging bullets and bombs as we rode along. There were a couple of times I had to look away from the scene in front of us because scenery was so intense and movement of the vehicle so real!

These aren’t very good pictures, and I failed to get any of the two of them standing on the back of the HMMWV, but they were awesome!!!

There were other exciting discoveries in the museum, like this Harley Davidson.

As you can see from the photos, the U.S. Army has used Harley Davidson motorcycles since World War I, another fascinating tid-bit I learned. =)

Here’s a few other pictures we took, one of a helicopter suspended from the ceiling that looked really neat!

The other two are of our youngest grandson who is trying on a military cap and playing in this tiny room they have set-up for the little ones to come in and try on the gear that the soldiers wear, and in the room they have little binoculars set-up in the walls for the kids to look through to see different pictures of places and animals. It was pretty neat.

I also captured a shot of the Soldier’s Creed:

And the Infantryman:

We had a wonderful time at The National Infantry Museum in Fort Benning, Georgia! =)

Chattahoochee RiverWalk

The Chattahoochee RiverWalk was amazing! It is a pet friendly place and the Splash Pad is awesome for hot summer days,(or even humid spring days) when the kiddos need to cool off.

You can walk or ride your bike around the fifteen mile park, taking in all the sites of nature, historic monuments and markers, not to mention the breath-taking views of the amazing rolling river! We opted to walk around, but we did not cover the entire river walk, not with the kids in tow and no stroller!

You can even dare to take on the Blue Heron Adventure, the only dual-zip line that connects the two states of Alabama and Georgia, and that reaches speeds of up to forty miles per hour!

The first dual-zip line takes you over the Columbus, Georgia Whitewater course, where the rafters are floating through the famous CutBait rapid, which is only about a hundred feet below you!

Then, you will take the next dual-zip line along the Phenix City riverside in Alabama, which is a four hundred foot zip. Once you have zipped across and along the river, you can then tackle the obstacle course, the Blue Heron Aerial Course. This intriguing treetop experience meets you on the other side in Phenix City, Alabama, and it has ten obstacles for you to go through.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there! It continues as you take the cruise back to Georgia in the motorized Canyon Raft.

The girls and Philip discussed taking on this adventure, but then decided against it. I’m not really sure why. It was probably because the whole family couldn’t participate, the boys were way too small and someone had to stay with them. I was a bit disappointed, I was really looking forward to recording them cross the river!

We continued walking around, trying to watch the Whitewater rafters in action on what is known as the longest urban whitewater rafting in the world. Some people say that this course is as wild like the Colorado and warm like Costa Rica.

As we were walking closer to the rapids, we came across these old, broken down buildings and what appeared to be a walkway.

I’m not sure what the buildings were for, but I found it interesting nonetheless. In this last picture, there were little fish swimming around in this run-off area and our older grandson wanted to walk down into the water to get one!

After spending some time enjoying the river walk, we decided to head for the mall to cool off. It was more humid than it was hot, but we were all ready for some air conditioning!

Fuddrucker’s in Fort Benning

Here are some pictures of the boys at Fuddrucker’s enjoying some chocolate chip cookies and playing with the stuff animal that one of Chris’s army buddies won from the game machine!

They are having a blast, although Alix appears to be a slight bit disturbed by the mess the cookies are making in his hand! =)

Elliot is having fun with his grandpa (Chris’s dad) playing with the stuff animal, and everyone is in good spirits, despite the fatigue from the road trip.

For the most part it was a fun and relaxing atmosphere, and we were grateful for the delicious food! This picture is of the front counter and the wonderful employees working there.

Road Trip!

I just installed the WordPress app to use on our road trip next weekend. So, I’m checking it out to make sure it works properly. I will want to post some pictures and updates of the trip while we’re gone.

I’m so excited about our trip! We are going to see my son-in-law who is in boot camp in Fort Benning, Georgia.

The excitement in the air builds a little more each day, and the girls can barely contain themselves!

Our older daughter is so ready to see her husband, and excited for their boys to see their dad!

Our youngest daughter is beside herself because this is her first long road trip. She’s been to Hawaii, but this is different, its a “road trip”, as she says. Besides, she was about eight years old when she went to Hawaii with her uncle and his family.

We are heading out on Thursday night and we will be traveling from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and arriving in Georgia – it’s just over an eleven hour drive. Thankfully, there are three of us drivers!

We are heading out after work with the hope that the boys, ages three and one year old, will sleep most of the way and not be too uncomfortable traveling so far.

We are also bringing our Fox Terrier mix

and our older daughter is bringing her Chihuahua. It should be an interesting trip, to say the least!

Let’s just hope this app works well so I can post while we’re gone.

How One Man Found His Life’s Mission Through Tragedy

See how one man’s tragedy has turned into his life mission, and how he is helping other wounded warriors and their families in this inspiring video!

This was one of the best inspirational videos of 2014, according to Beliefnet. 

Through this video, LT. Jason Redman’s mission, and the awareness he brings to all Americans about the sacrifices made in war for our freedom inspires hope for the fallen and their families.

Likewise, it inspires a hope within me that there are still kind, caring, and compassionate people in this world who are willing to push through their own pain and anger with their own circumstances to reach out to others with a hand full of hope and love.

It’s amazing how a person can take a tragedy like LT. Jason Redman’s and turn it into a positive, constructive, and helpful way to help others who are suffering the same or similar tragedies.

The absolute determination to make a difference in the world. The drive to see others through tough times. The hope and humanity that is inspired into others as a result. What a wonderful legacy to be a part of and to teach your children!

During his recover at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, LT. Jason Redman wrote and hung a bright orange sign on his hospital door letting visitors know before entering his room that pity or any sorrowful feelings for his wounds or what happened to him would not be accepted there, that he was injured doing what he loved and only positive feelings and attitudes would be allowed inside.

This sign became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors far and wide.  It also gained national recognition and earned LT. Jason Redman and his wife and children an invitation to meet our (former) President George W. Bush. The original sign that LT. Jason Redman hung on his hospital door, which was signed by President George W. Bush, is now hanging up on a wall in the Wounded Ward at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda.

Jason Redman is currently the Executive Director of Wounded Wear, a non-profit organization who’s vision is “to Guide combat-wounded warriors to find a purpose-driven life and peace of mind after the impact of war.”

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