After the Trip! TWB Reflections

TWB REFLECTIONS



 “This trip was the best thing. I’ve met so many great people” - Corinna Turner - Mcadenville, North Carolina


“Pretty awesome sauce.” - Garrett Zinno - Charlotte, North Carolina


“It was pretty coolio.” - Aiden Moss - Salisbury, North Carolina


“I’m glad my mom made me go.” - Hannah Russo - Cramerton, North Carolina


“An amazing experience to make new friends.” - Landen Ryerson - Salisbury, North Carolina


“This is the best experience of my life and I will forever cherish the memories I’ve made!” - Olivia Crowley - Wilmington, North

Carolina


“Truly a once in a lifetime experience you will never forget!” - Ella Spivey - Denver, North Carolina


“This experience has made me deeply appreciate the beautiful land God created and the wonderful people put in it.” - Kate Luley -

Huntersville, North Carolina


“This truly is a life changing experience that I will thank God for everyday.” - Phoebe-Kate Prince -  Gastonia, North Carolina


“My heart has never been more full!” - Lacie Mauldin - Gastonia, North Carolina 


“Gave me a chance to experience life to its fullest.” - Andrew Hardee - High Point, North Carolina


“This was the most incredible and life-changing experience that introduced me to some of the best people I’ve ever met.” - Morgan

Merry - Gallatin, Tennessee


“This has shown me how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful world with an amazing God!” - Bridget Lancaster - Dallas, North

Carolina


“I discovered so much about myself and how I want to live the rest of my life.” - Addison Norwood - Dallas, North Carolina


“This is an experience of a lifetime, don’t waste it!” - Lily Griggs - Mooresville, North Carolina


“Truly a trip of a lifetime, seeing God’s beautiful creation, and making lifetime memories with my new best friends.” - Emma Doss -

Stanley, North Carolina


“TWB not only gave me some of my truest friends, but a completely new perspective on life.” - Sophie Jaq Gadus - Aiken, South

Carolina


“One of the riskiest, but best decisions I’ve made, best friends in 23 days that I will have for the rest of my life. Thank God for this

land of his.” - Caroline O’kelley - Beaufort, South Carolina


“Best experience of my life.” - Jack Matthews - Huntersville, North Carolina


“TWB is the most uplifting, mesmerizing, and absolutely life changing experience around.” - Elizabeth Kolb - Lexington, South

Carolina


“TWB changed my perspective on life, people, and places, and made me realize how much love is in the world.” - Emma Kate

Laudner - Belmont, North Carolina


“Life changing moments while learning about the big world we live in.” - Jake Holloway - Asheboro, North Carolina


“I had such a good time, everyone was very welcoming.” - Madison Keener - Sherrills Ford, North Carolina


“TWB is a once in a lifetime experience. The memories and friendships made will last forever.” - Bryant Salley - Beaufort,

South Carolina 


“Definitely a once in a lifetime experience, it’s a great place to step out of your comfort zone!” - Jana White - Aberdeen, North

Carolina


“Best trip ever, I wish I could do it every year!!” - Fisher Kennedy - Beaufort, South Carolina


“Made me realize I need to enjoy my youth more” - Devin Kowalewski - Jefferson, South Carolina


“Life changing experience that showed me I don’t need some things I do in my life.” - Dexter Wray - Charlotte, North Carolina


“Live in the moment, it’s amazing!” - LeeAnn Dalton - Lexington, South Carolina


“Always push yourself to do new things, because I did, and I had so much fun.” - Addison Jones - Mooresville, North Carolina


“An incredible trip where I have seen beautiful places, made lifelong friends, and gained unforgettable memories!” - Benjamin

Vikner - Jamestown, North Carolina


“You will make friends, don’t waste your experience for short-term gains.” - Matthew Kiser - Denver, North Carolina


“Make the most of the days early in the trip.” - Lauren Davis - Clemmons, North Carolina


“I had a fun time, enjoy every place like you wont be going back.” - Annie Kostrzynski - Charlotte, North Carolina


“Best decision I ever made.” - CJ Cody - Gaffney, South Carolina


“You don’t understand how life changing this trip is until you do it! Also, don’t be afraid to be yourself and have the most fun!”

- Charlotte Weeks - Belmont, North Carolina


“Changed me forever.” - Asher Gant - Belmont, North Carolina


“TWB has been the time of my life, if you have the opportunity to go, take it.” - Harris Wright - Gastonia, North Carolina


“Live each day on TWb as if it’s day 23.” - Hollister Warren - Charlotte, North Carolina


“A self-discovering experience with America as your background.” - Bryce Casteel - Davidson, North Carolina 


“TWB is not only a place where you are able to fill in all the gaps within yourself, but is a place to find a newfound family and

a greater appreciation for the winding road that is life.” - Isabella Deaner - Augusta, Georgia


“TWB was truly an experience of a lifetime, the memories and friends I've made will last forever, if I could do it all over again

I 100% would.” - Olivia Owen - Reidsville, North Carolina


“TWB has been a life changing experience that I will forever be grateful for.” - Rylei Minton - Salisbury, North Carolina


“It was the best experience of my life and I will never get over how many good friends I've met.” - Brooklyn Ulrich - Denver,

North Carolina


“TWB has shown me that I have one life to live and I decide how to live it to the fullest.” - Katelyn Walter - Mooresville, North

Carolina


“TWB has taught me how to live for today and walk with no regret.” - Evan Plemmons - Denver, North Carolina 


“This has been the most amazing trip of friendships and learning about who you are as a whole.” - Bayla Morrow - Union, South

Carolina


“The most amazing experience I've ever participated in.” - Eli Arnold - Jamestown, North Carolina


“The bond with these people is a forever companionship.” - Abby Barker - Belmont, North Carolina


“Never forget how this trip made you feel.”- RJ Love - Lincolnton, North Carolina 


“TWB has been a life changing experience that I will remember forever.” - Reanna Talyansky - Hendersonville, North Carolina


“TWB gave me so many fun memories and I have learned so much about me, I will never forget this trip or the people.” - Brooke

Simmons - Sanford, North Carolina


“TWB has allowed me to see what God had in store for my life and has given me memories of a lifetime.” - Madyson Barnes -

Lincolnton, North Carolina 


“An unexplainably amazing journey showing the breathtaking country God has given us, and a journey within.” - Rebekah

Brand - Gastonia, North Carolina 


“TWB allowed me to experience life in a way that 99% never get to experience,” - Luke St. Clair - Greensboro, North Carolina


“I’ve done and seen so many things in 23 days that some people never see in their life, I'm forever grateful!” - Scott Chesson

- Jamestown, North Carolina


“TWB gives you a perspective on life you will never see without the trip or the people you meet.” - Caleb Kimbrough - 

Cleveland, North Carolina


“TWB allows you to live in the most surreal moments of your life!” - Emily Baile - Orlando, Florida 


“It was a great and truly unique experience that has taught me a lot.” - Zack Leonard - Moorsesville, North Carolina 


“The experience of a lifetime has taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things in life and God’s glory.” - Ruby Lucas -

Mooresville, North Carolina


“TWB has allowed me to see different views and perspectives that helps me appreciate all of God’s creations.” - Margot

Tate - Cornelius, North Carolina


“So much more to life than just your small town!” - Erin Foran - Mooresville, North Carolina

 

“TWB has changed my perspective and showed me how big the world is compared to my worries.” - Sadie Page - Ruffin,

North Carolina 


“TWB has shown me how to be a good person, grow my faith, and live my life to the fullest.” - Morgan Mullan - Cornelius,

North Carolina 


“This trip has changed my life and myself.” - Emma Palmer - Cape Coral, Florida 


“Not only did I find myself out west, I also found a new 92 member family!” - Lily Timmerman - Aiken, South Carolina 


“This trip helped me realize how you have to find your people and I'm so thankful to be able to travel to America with these great friends.”

- Parker Moody - Laurinburg, North Carolina


“I’ve had my ups and downs but TWB made everything worth it.” - Hannah Cali Coker - Union, South Carolina


“Never in my life did I think I could feel God’s presence so closely.” - Kennedy Ferguson - Union, South Carolina 


“Most monumental event in my life, I would do anything for just one more day.” - Phineas Mixson - Cleveland, North Carolina 


“I met my new family here and I would do anything to stay with them forever.” - Grace Mas - Oviedo, Florida 


“So thankful for this experience and everyone a part of it, I will cherish this experience forever.” - Scotland Hawes - Sanford,

North Carolina


“The entire experience felt unreal and it has taught me to appreciate anything and everything.” - Riley Branham - Charlotte,

North Carolina


“This trip has taught me more in 3 weeks than I could have ever imagined, and it will have a place in my heart forever.”

- Camille Manley - Beaufort, South Carolina 


“TWB will forever be remembered as the trip that gave me lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.” - Reece

Williams - Mount Holly, North Carolina


“The best experience of my life and I gotta do it with the best people.” - Carly Dewyea - Spartanburg, South Carolina


“Enjoy this trip, it goes by fast.” - Davis Robbins - Charlotte, North Carolina


“I don’t think there is any other program that travels across the United States in 3 weeks and sees 22 states.” - Jackson

Grigg - Denver, North Carolina 


“Truly the best experience where I have seen the best sites and met my best friends.”- Lola Kirksey - Evans, Georgia 


“Whatever trip you have been on will never compare to the joy and happiness that you gained from TWB.” - Ethan

Chrestler - Cornelius, North Carolina 


“It was so fun and such a great experience.”- Sarah McGrath - Belmont, North Carolina 

“God did!” - Tobi Brink - Salisbury, North Carolina 


“TWB was life changing, nothing else can beat these past 23 days of fun.” - Caroline Stacey - Cramerton, North Carolina 


“Changed my life and I wish I never had to leave.” - Delaney Wood - Carthage, North Carolina 


“TWB is life changing and taught me how to live in the moment.” - Finn Mole - Aiken, South Carolina

Day 23- Return


Day 23: HOME

Today we woke up to Dallas screaming “Wakey Wakey” at us one last time. Those who pulled all-nighters were a little more tired than others but we still managed to hit a new PR in our bus loading time… well sorta







Many of us rushed towards the energy drinks and donuts at Walmart one last time. The cooks gathered breakfast and lunch in record time for our last meals together (sobbing). We then slowly said goodbye to Wally World, a few tears were shed as we looked back on all of our amazing memories.
















As we crossed the state line many tears were shed as this meant that we are almost home and are about to leave our new family. While on the vehicles for our last hours, we passed around everything we own to get signed. Including cowboy hats, shirts, flags, beach balls, journals, KFC buckets and even a gallon water jug! Our conversations consist of “we better hang out at least once a month” and “this is the last time….”. We pulled out our last friendship bracelets and sang along to bittersweet songs, such as "Dixieland Delight" and "Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey", of which reminded us of our first competition and every morning Dallas waking us up with joy and love. We truly enjoyed our last bus ride together, tears were shed and we hugged a little tighter than we normally have.






We wrapped up our jobs at Sheetz by cleaning the vehicles, taking out trash and blogging.

















After that we stopped at Coddle Creek Church for one last sweet moment together. We laughed, we cried, and we sang as we soaked up our last moments with each other. Tears of joy and sadness filled the hillside as we loaded up the vehicles one last time.





























As we pulled into Mallard Creek, we were greeted with familiar and emotionally joyful faces. As soon as the vehicles were in park, we jumped out and ran into the arms of our family and friends. Then we sang along for the final time to the chorus of “This Land” and the TWB staple; “Today”. With knowing this was our final goodbye, we had tears in our eyes, and sang the chorus one last time with our loved ones listening intently, (we think we finally got the timing down!) We unloaded the bus, loaded our cars, and got to introduce our new best friends to our loved ones. Though this is the end of our trip, it is just the beginning of our friendships, and we will reminisce about the good times we had on the 50th year of TWB. Thank you all for this opportunity, WE LOVE YOU ALL

Signing off for the last time, HAPPY 50 YEARS TWB!!! We're so grateful to be a part of history!


The Trip 1 Grumps of 2025 signing off :)