All the Dark Horses

Victor, ID

We took a minor detour en route to California in order to go to Jackson Hole, WY. I had spent the summer there our junior year of college, working at a guest ranch, and Zach was game for touring the town. We walked through downtown Jackson Hole and saw the sights, namely, arches made of antlers. We made a quick stop at the ranch and an elk ran in front of the car.

On the way, we paused so I could feed Owen from tetons in front of the gorgeous Grand Tetons.

Dinner was at a fantastic pizza place that looks right at the mountain range. We sat outside as the sun was setting. We then fed our son mushed banana in the parking lot.

That night, we stayed at the home of a couple- Richard and Jeannette- who had worked as wranglers at the ranch when I was there. They were renting a remodeled homestead cabin and had three horses and a mule in their pastures. We caught up with them (the couple, not the animals) over some lattes and then hunkered down for the night.

In the morning, Zach helped pound some posts and then had his first horseback ride. Well, it was on a mule named Fiddle, but he still got to go riding. I was ecstatic that I got to go riding with him, which I had hitherto thought unfeasible, what with a baby and all. Richard watched Owen as Jeannette, Zach and I went for a long ride. Zach was a natural and so hot right now.

Idaho Falls, ID

We left Victor later than planned and continued on toward our final destination. We ended up spending the night in Idaho Falls. This was a crazy city. Sunburned and dehydrated from our horseback ride, we had a hard time finding a hotel and ended up in a Motel 6 that looked much like a dorm room. The bathroom had a crazy shower, but no bath, so Owen had another sink bath. I got the baby ready for bed while Zach hunted and gathered some Applebee’s for us. We were definitely ready to get to California!

Upward Over the Mountain

The road trip chronicles continue. Don’t worry, they're winding down now.

Omaha, NE

Somewhere in middle America, we stopped at a lovely, new Hampton Inn for the night. New, but lacking a bathtub. Owen was quickly bathed in the sinking. He loved hanging on the faucet. It looked like his own little mini Jacuzzi. He was starting to sleep better and better, which makes such a difference.

Throughout our entire trip, Zach had unloaded and reloaded everything. Thanks to how jam packed our sweet little Camry was, this meant he had to unload everything, in order to get to the Pack and Play. So even if we were staying somewhere for one night, the entire car was unpacked and packed again. I felt bad being useless, but as neither an engineer with the ability to fit luggage in like Tetris nor one without a baby constantly on my hip, I very rarely helped him. In Omaha, I decided to be a big help when we were getting ready to leave in the morning. I went and got a luggage cart, and when I returned. Zach just laughed and laughed at me. “Way to help, Anna.”

I didn’t see what the problem was. I just stopped to get some more breakfast on the way back to the room.

Laramie, WY

The next day, we reached Laramie. All of the hotels were expensive, for some reason, in this small, somewhat desolate western city. We managed to find a quiet, lodge-style hotel with warm cookies and coffees with flavored syrup. Owen swiftly snatched a cookie out of my hand and got chocolate all over himself. We were tired of eating on the road, so we went to a nearby Walmart and got a rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls and microwaveable corn. What now, Boston Market? It was a wonderful meal, and we enjoyed a restful stop.

The Midwest is Best

Chicago, Illinois
After the reunion, we headed to Chicago and got to have an amazing Portillo's lunch with Gramma Z at her place. It was a big gathering and Gramma was a great hostess. Owen was put on the table, per tradition, and examined. Fortunately, he was getting over being sick, so he passed.
We also played cards. Donkey was particularly hilarious and borderline dangerous. Jason was clawed by Mom and Gramma made sure Dad kept up the pace.

We also spent a day in the city, walking all over the place. Zach had not been to Chicago before, and we had the best tour guide possible since Dad "built" the city. We got to see "the bean," Buckingham Fountain, and the Art Institute, among other things.

We ate at Bubba Gumps on Navy Pier, and Zach and I ran to the end of the Pier. We had to sprint back in order to make the water taxi. Zach gave me a piggy back ride and sprinted back. Don't worry, my Dad had the baby at the time.

We spent one more night in a hotel and said bye to Gramma and then Mom and Dad in the morning. Then we were on the road again.

Please Drive Faster

Indianapolis, IL
We spent the night in the Crown Plaza thanks to hotwire.com. I ran out to get some dinner, so Zach gave Owen a bath. Apparently, Owen threw the worst fit mankind has ever seen, and then completely passed out. He was in the deepest sleep when I returned. I'm not sure if Zach would think it was worth it or not, but Owen slept great that night.

As we continued driving, Owen reminded us of the superiority of cloth diapers as he blew through disposable diapers left and right. There's something special about washing out a poop-filled onesie in a sink at a rest stop.

We then moved on to Champaign-Urbana so that we could visit University of Illinois, alma mater of many of my family members and former home to Zach's favorite band, Braid. We toured around, washed out another onesie, and discovered that beloved Moonstruck coffee shop is now closed. I have so many memories there, yet somehow I retained very little of how to get everywhere. Zach was able to navigate much better than I was, yet he had never been there. He's just good like that.



Against my better judgement, I tried to nurse my sweet babe in public, and he constantly tried to uncover himself. I have a feeling a few summer students got a free show, but I shouldn't have, heaven forbid, try to feed my child who needs to see everything at all times. I am curious how much longer I can nurse before this kid calls it quits. He tries to nurse sitting up now (not pictured).
Onward, onward. We passed through the town of Ashton, just to grab a few quick pics,
then we made it to White Pines for the MANNING FAMILY REUNION! Mannings (and former Mannings) gathered from across the country and stayed at a state park in some very nice cabins. We played lots of outdoor games, took turns cooking, and got to spend time with the matriarch, Grandma Manning. It was so fun to see all of the cousins and second cousins together.


Read on, dear friends...

Please Drive Faster (Cont.)

There was a Manning Children Vs Spouse volleyball match (no comment), and everyone went for a lovely hike in the state park.



Owen was finally able to meet his closest cousin, West, and they spoke of many adventures to be had once we made it to California (I presume).


Sadly, Owen was sick for the entirety of the reunion, thanks to another cousin (who was sick from his cousin...and so the cycle continues). He was not his normal, bubbly self and slept terribly each night. We actually ended up propping him up in our queen bed one night, and we slept in sleeping bags in the living room. Whatever Sir Owen needs.

Memory Lane

Gastonia, NC
We headed down south again and made a stop in Apex to see Zach's aunt and uncle who readily swooned over the baby. Then it was on to Gordean's house in Gastonia. We harvested some squash and looked at some baby pictures of Zach. We also enjoyed some Black's barbecue and Grandma Dean's Black Bottom Pie. Amazing.


Owen enjoyed the hammock chairs just as much as his mom always has.


Clemson, SC
Dear old Clemson (we will triumph). It was so good to be back and to check out the Ashtons' new home in Seneca. We squatted for a solid two weeks since it seemed like the Ashton thing to do. Nolan and Hannah & Co. were all at the compound so we figured a few more people wouldn't hurt. Aunt Francis, Grandma Dean and Grandpa Gordon also made it down for a day. There were near nightly matches of badminton, tours of the illustrious Pickens County, a daytrip to Highlands, a Shakespearean play at Reedy River Falls Park and much more. I managed to get in four trips to the Botanical Gardens, including one narrated tour for Owen's benefit and one family photo shoot thanks to Hannah and her photography skills.

Zach and I went to our bench on campus and found that the wood had been replaced. The wood which had memorialized Zach's first cigar via a burn mark. The wood which had supported me as Zach dropped to his knee. I knew we should have stolen the bench while we had the chance. It was fun walking around campus, reminiscing, but with our sweet babe in the stroller.

Hunter and Ashton were great with Owen. Ashton kept dragging over a little stool to look at Owen in his pack and play. Owen was still a little beast at night, but at least we had lots of breaks during the day thanks to all of the family members. Owen went for a swim in Lake Hartwell, met some of our friends from college, and enjoyed a couple of downtown shopping trips for Clemson apparel. He loved it.