I Like Making Things: Pappas Family Vacation, Day 1: Virginia Beach

So this is a supremely special event, because the Pappas family hasn't gone on Vaca all together since... i even don't remember. We were at the Spec's house the previous night to see KSB and Baby B, and Eileen was all, "are you going to blog about your trip?" and KSB was like, "Yeah, David Sedaris style!" and i was like, "i didn't bring my computer." So Eileen was all, "Oh, here, borrow my notebook." And i was like, "Are you sure?" and she was, and is therefore the hero of this blog/vacation, so shOUT OUt! But let's get this party started!

It all began at 4:30am with Nanc's wake up call. We were on a strick schedule to leave at 5am in order to make our 8:30am ferry in Cape May, but of course we didn't leave until 15 past and then like 5min away Nanc was all, "I forgot my glasses, i thought they were on my face!" Well Nanc, they weren't. The rest of the morning was pretty much a race to the ferry, but included such famous Phil song renditions as:

"Oh baby, baby it's the Wild Woods."

"Left be a lady, tonight!"

And my personal favorite (in conversation form):

Danielle: I just keep dozing!

Me: Do it! It's the perfect time for dozing.

Phil: "Why don't you da-do it in the car? Why don't you do it in the car? No one will be watching you, why don't you do it in the ca-a-ar!"

Danielle: What?!

Phil: I'm just taking about dozing.

Amazing.

Hey, we made the ferry!

And ate breakfast.

We were supposed to go to Dunken Donuts because they don't have them in California, and DPL was jones-ing, but that was axed due to lack of time. But she enjoyed her Ferry bagel just as much, i'm sure:

Time to hit the road!

But first we see this awesome boat and i'm like, "If i were to own a boat, it would be that one." Then i'm like, "I'm gonna take a picture!" and DPL's all "Wait until we get closer, it'll look better." because she's always thinking. So then while i'm holding the camera up, lying in wait, Nanc (who has been apart of this conversation the entire time) suddenly joins reality and is like, "Look at that cool boat! Take a picture!" and i'm like, "I think i will!" click.

It's like a Norwegian/American Pirate ship... Argh!

We do a flawless ferry dismount, then continue our way through Delaware, the forgotten state.
So then no one talks for, like, 30mins (just the sound of the open road), then out of nowhere Phil's all:

"They should just blow that place up already."

And we're like, "What?" Which is the question of my life. But basically he looked over and saw a busted hole building, amongst many busted hole/remodeled buildings, and made an executive decision.

Well done Phil.

Eventually we get to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is 30miles long and is really, like, 4 bridges and 2 tunnels, and just keeps going. So i'm like, this is really cool, take a picture! But apparently 30 miles is the exact distance it takes for every member of my family to figure out how to work a camera, so luckily we found a brochure at the visitor's center that we had to go to. Basically dad was like, "Hey Nanc, you want to go to the visitor's center?" and i was thinking, "Please, No." and of course she's like, "yeah!" But at least i got this nifty brochure so you can see the bridge:

So then Phil was all, "Smile 'cause you made it to Virgina Beach!"

But really just the visitor's center at this point. So then we wander the VC forEVer, and we're about to leave when Nanc is all, "Wait! I have to go to the bathroom." So Dad's all, "We'll meet you at the car, don't get stabbed!" So mom walks away none the wiser and he's like, "Why did i say that? i meant 'don't get mugged!'" and DPL is all, "Why are either of those applicable?"

So finally we catch up with Nanc, and Phil's all, "Smile cause we're leaving the Visitor's Center:

Then we finally make it to the hotel, and do lunch: Pappas style!

Nothing like hotel room picnic!

Delish! (we try to only eat out one meal a day, because really that's all you knead.)

Hotel room right on the beach!!!

We have a strict family rule: no photo's on the beach, which we all stand behind. But it was lovely, I want you to know: crazy waves, wild undertow, soft sand... the works!

And to top it all off... Tequilies! (hotel room addition)

Say cheers, Nanc!

Then we found a giant fake snail shell on the way to dinner and posed:

I had to make the next pic xtra large so you could see the glory of Phil's face:

So next it's Nanc's turn, but Phil jumps in to spice things up:

And DPL's like, "Gross dad! what are you doing?!" and Phil's all, "Your mom's hiking me the ball!"
No comment.

This is our dinner restaurant, it looks like a cottage with a fish mail box!