We saved the best for last!!! The GRUMPY'S have taken over!!!
In a flash the sneezy’s had conquered their first breakfast with extra extra iced honey buns and apple sauce or just plain apples. With too many energy drinks and sugar filled snacks we were fueled for marathons with the Olympians. We inhaled our snacks and breakfasts with seconds before the Olympic Training Center.
Watch out for us in the winter olympics!
The visitor center was overwhelmed with olympian highlights from medalists including a past TWB participant. We walked in mesmerized by the screens in front of us that we haven't seen in WEEKS! After breaking into groups we started our journey in the strength and conditioning room where we saw the gym bros holding back tears. We then ventured into the sports medicine building, (we weren't able to get photos because of HIPAA), seeing all the advanced technology for recovery, like the treadmill that takes you to the moon. Then, we were led to a tri-sport gymnasium that included sitting volleyball, men's gymnastics, and paralympic basketball. With enormously tall ceilings made for high soaring athletes who are capable of reaching the stars (literally).
A very cool group photo
Next stop, Micheal Phelps’ old splashing grounds. Where we saw athletes training and one in particular showed off his skills by climbing a rope, doing 3 pull ups, and dropping 15 feet back into the water for his conditioning. Our TWB wrestlers were amazed by the many mats and sweaty wrestlers training for their next meet, 72 days according to their countdown. Addie’s nose was upset with the smell and altitude, and it cried rivers of blood. On the flip side, KS took her and Emma for medical assistance from two of the Olympic Wrestling Coaches, both Olympic medalists. After storming through the gift shop, spending too much on nike apparel and Ethan making friends with wrestlers, we hopped on the bus for Kansas!
CARS
While the bus riders got to watch the Cars trilogy the vans listened to High School musical and descendants soundtracks. Miss America was able to hot wire Cars on the computer. They intensely watched until the computer passed away. Time was passed with trivia, fun facts, and family feud, while Liberty Bell talked for the whole 7 hours.
So excited for Kansas!!!
After a couple of hours of driving and watching Cars, we made a pit stop at the Kansas Visitor Center where we got to meet Dorthy and the Wizard of Oz gang, were gifted free sunflower seeds and sang some of our sing-a-long classic to locals. We also abruptly stopped on the side of the road for a view of a beautiful (and quite smelly) oil pump. Dallas hurried us along for a photo, counting down from ten as we raced through the tall grass.
One Walmart trip wasn't enough, we needed to stop at another one! Many bolting to the energy drinks and 4th of July gear. We then scurried back to the vehicles, excited for our first sit down meal in a while… at 10:30 (totally not the cooks fault, thats just how everything timed out, we love our chefs). Our yummy burrito bowls were accompanied by bugs, fireworks and the first taste of home with the humidity. Some of the best food we've had yet, totally worth the wait!
Morgans mom clutch with the crumbl cookies
A sweet surprise came out of the staff trailer, CRUMBL COOKIES!!!! Shout out to Morgan Mullen's mom who gifted us the tasty treat! Our selection included chocolate chip, MnM, frosted sugar and apple pie. We ate the cookies until we were contently stuffed, with many of us getting to try multiple kinds since they were split in halves.
After pulling into the campsite, we were greeted by nice green grass and raccoons after sleeping inside and on the desert ground for the past 2 weeks.
Praying that we aren't woken up by raccoons eating our Walmart snacks, peace out from the Grumps! See you tomorrow for the fourth in the Archway!!!
Love you guys!! - Kennedy, LeeAnn, Erin, Lacie, Carly, Matthew, Lola, Brooke, RJ, Sadie, Emma, Luke, Ben, and Kate!
