It's all in the planning

I have folks ask "how do you pay for those trips you take?" As with most things, it's all in the planning. Randy's a school teacher, I have many hats that provide my income...but it's still not big money. We have four kids, and yet still take these great trips to National Parks. I'll give you a few of my tips.

1. God is good and He provides. We have shelter, food and love in our home. We are content with what He has provided. Our jobs, while they may not be high income, are high in other areas - we get to touch lives of students. So, tip #1 is BE CONTENT. That's a biblical principal as well. We have been in the same house for almost 26 years, we have never driven a new car, and we rarely eat out. I don't like to shop, and when I do it's at Sam's, WalMart, and consignment stores.

2. Save your pennies! I know people who don't believe pennies are worth much, but I save them. I save all my loose change. It's hard, because most people buy with debit and credit and not cash....but I still have cash for those quick trips to WalMart, so when I come in from the store I have a container where I stash my change. This is known as the trip bucket. On our first trip in 2002, I had the girls take a large butter tub and decorate it with things we would see at the Grand Canyon (we saw lots of squirrels).This tub has collected a lot of change and cash over the years. Every few months I count it, roll it and take it to the bank. This becomes our souvenir money - t-shirts, ice cream, etc... Here's a picture of the tub!




3. Open a trip account at your local bank, credit union or favorite online savings place. Since our trips are every two years, I put money away every month into the trip fund. Then when the trip arrives, we have the money set aside. Since I often get side jobs for playing weddings,
judging piano events, or other odd assortment of gigs...I take that money and designate it for the trip. My parents give us money every Christmas, and we put some of that aside too. It's been harder with kids in college...but we still do it.


4. Do your homework, and research. I check books out from the library on the places we plan to go, I search online sites, and occasionally buy a travel book. We start looking for airfares months in advance and know the best deal....so we wait and book it when it's hopefully at the lowest. Since we go with another family, we split the cost of the van rental - we rent a 12 or 15 passenger van. It makes the travelling lots of fun! That's where our trip songs are usually sung!


5. Book hotels with continental breakfast if at all possible! This year is the first year that we have only one location with a breakfast included. If you are staying in a hotel, see if there is a refrigerator available in your room, then you can have lunch food for your picnic. We often rent a house or cabin for several nights. This allows us to cook, and wash clothes in the comfort of home. Again, we can split the cost with our travelling friends. We are renting a house that sleeps 10 for $235 a night in Northern California. You can see it here.

6. Make your kids drink water when you eat out, it saves a ton of money & it's good for you.


7. Go to stuff that is free! Museums & parks are often free on certain days, check before you go. We like to walk through a new town and window shop, and look for the local ice cream or coffee shop!


8. The Junior Ranger program is a great way for the kids to learn while you're in the parks...it's a free program! They do activities in a booklet, go to ranger talks, & look for specifics as you hike - gives them a purpose on the trail. At the end they get a Junior Ranger Badge! You can also get a National Parks Passport book. The kids look forward to getting it stamped at the different parks and historic sites you visit.


How much does a trip to a National Park cost? Well, if you camp it's can be very inexpensive, but we aren't campers. We like to go back to the lodge and sleep in a real bed, but you can still find good deals if you look. There is nothing like the time you spend with your family in a National Park. Memories are made that they will always remember....the chipmunk that stole your hot dog, the cold wind on top of the mountain, the mosquitoes on the trail. Remember to thank God while you're enjoying all that He has made and provided!


Back to the cost...depends on where you go and how you get there. We fly, rent a van and stay in hotels, cabins or lodges. Our trips are an average of 10 days, with 5 or 6 in our family. The cost of our upcoming trip will be less than $5000. That is all inclusive. If you save $2000 - $2500 a year you are financially prepared when it's time to go. Break that down, can you put away $200 a month for 2 years? We can't always put that much away...but it's a good goal. And yes, we still tithe...even when we're on vacation.

We're almost packed and ready to go...look for us when we get back.

Trips Fom The Past

The year was 1987, and I visited the Grand Canyon for the very first time. I was at a conference in Phoenix, rented a car and took the 4 hour drive to the south rim. I wasn't there for very long, but I was mesmerized. That was when I decided that I wanted my family to visit two places - Washington, DC and the Grand Canyon.

Growing up on a farm didn't leave time for vacations. When I was 4, my family took a long road trip to DC...I remember nothing. Other trips were to the beach after the chores were done. This was usually 2 hours in the late afternoon. That meant a dip in the ocean followed by a dinner of macaroni salad and sandwiches. My brother still insist that macaroni/tuna salad isn't the same without sand.

Randy didn't have memorable vacations either...his were to visit relatives in Louisiana or North Carolina. Later he did go some fun places with his youth group. But family trips were not necessarily of the sight-seeing variety, except to stop along the road and pick flowers/plants that his mom wanted to take home.

One of our goals for our family was to take trips with our kids. The first trip was to DC when I was pregnant with Kate. She has since been to DC...so all the kids have visited the nation's capital at least once!

Our first trip with all the kids was in 2002. Planning a trip for a family of 6 was a challenge. Most accommodations are for 4 or 5, not 6. That is when we asked our friends, and also neighbors, the Williams if they were game. Aaron would bunk with them on a rollaway! And hence, the travel agency of Nobles and Williams was born. This summer marks our 5th National Parks tour. When we started the kids were 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, & 14. Here is the Nobles clan at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. That year was the Grand Circle....Zion, Bryce and both rims of the Canyon. Hoover Dam and a flight in and out of Las Vegas.

In 2004 we visited the Pacific Northwest, and it definitely brought lots of 'ooo's and aaahhh's'. We flew into Seattle, visited Mt. Rainier (seen in the picture below).

We drove to Portland, visited the Rose Garden, then onto the Pacific coast of Oregon.

Tillamook meant ice cream and then the beaches. The beaches on the Olympic Coast are wonderful....lots of tide pools to explore. We also enjoyed the sea stacks on coast. So different from our east coast beaches & definitely cold water. That trip also included Victoria Canada via a ferry ride, and Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. The bonus of Olympic is that you get mountains,beaches, and a rain forest. This trip was our first experience with snow in June, something we now look forward to! Here are all the kids on some drift wood. Emily & Brandon Williams are Stephen & Beth's children. The Williams are also Berry alumni!

As children began graduating from high school, we deemed it their senior trip. They got to choose the parks to see. Aaron was the first in 2006. It was his 3rd National Parks trip and his last. He decided he had outgrown the family vacation. Though he wishes he was going in 2010 he made the decision too late, and the reservations were already in place. This makes a group of 9 travelling, kids are now 11, 15, 16, 18 & 20...sadly the 22 year old stays home - taking a World Lit class.

The picture above is from Aaron's senior trip, Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park, Montana. We fell in love with Montana. We flew into Salt Lake City and took a LONG drive. We stopped in Butte Montana and stayed in a cabin that belonged to some family members of the Williams. This helped break up the drive. If you happen detour through Phillipsburg, Montana - just north of Butte - make sure to check out The Sweet Palace, an old fashioned candy shop. After several wonderful days in Glacier, we headed south to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. We like to stay in a parks lodge if possible, and have enjoyed many over the years. We look forward to some delicious meals in the lodges too. For a family that rarely eats out, we savor the cuisine we find on the road. One of the highlights in the Tetons was the float trip down the Snake River, which included a great dinner prepared on the banks of the river.

In the fall of 2006, we sent Aaron off to college and the other kids were old enough to stay alone, as Alyssa was driving. The four adults took off for a long weekend in October and revisited Zion National Park. Zion is in southern Utah. If you go, stay at the Desert Pearl - it's the BEST! It was quite a treat, and given the opportunity and cash we would go again!



2008 was Alyssa's choice - Acadia National Park and the New England States. We flew into Boston and did the Freedom trail. Alyssa is a huge New England Patriots fan, so we made the Pilgrimage to Gillette Stadium to pay homage to the Pats! Then off to New Hampshire and Vermont. This part of the country was very different from previous trips. The terrain was more like North Georgia...but still beautiful. Of course, Aaron wasn't along - so that made it different too. We did a couple of college tours - Harvard and Dartmouth. Alyssa had already settled on Berry, but Emily was now the one looking. At Dartmouth we were treated to a personal tour by Berry grad, Tommy Murphy. He was working at Dartmouth at the time. This trip had many stops for ice cream, including a tour and taste at Ben & Jerry's headquarters in Vermont.

Acadia was the only National Park during the 2008 trip, but it was wonderful. We stayed in Bar Harbor Maine, and explored the park on foot, car and went sea kayaking! That was an adventure, but fun....well, don't ask Randy - he got stuck with Kate who didn't really do much to help their kayak tour!

Most of our trips include several states and/or several parks. All of our trips include lots of planning, saving, laughing, fun and songs. We often have a trip song. In the Pacific NW, it was "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". In 2006 it was a the "Long and Winding Road", plus our own rendition of "These are a few of my Favorite Things".

Next week, we take Emily's senior trip. The west coast again - Northern California. We already have our trip song - "This Land is Your Land"! We fly to San Francisco, then drive up the coast to the Redwoods, over the Lassen National Park - where they still have LOTS of snow & cold weather! Then we drive to Yosemite for an adventure of sleeping in tent cabins.

I hope our family inspires you to explore the National Parks, spend some time with family and friends in God's beautiful world. I'll see you when we return.

Graduation it happens every May

Graduation at Berry College took place on a lovely spring Saturday. The weather was perfect, sun with just enough of a breeze. I had no plans to attend the ceremony until Mr. Musselwhite asked me to play the piano for 2 graduating singers. I had a great seat to view the pomp & circumstance. The band played the pre-game show (prelude to graduation) with some fun tunes, then the grads entered to take their place and receive their degrees.

My plan was to play for the two singers, and get the heck out of dodge. Randy & I had been invited to another graduation party that started at 3, obviously not a Berry student! Mr. M brought me some much needed water as I waited in the warm sunshine. Alyssa arrived to help me with my music...remember the breeze that was blowing! After a brief introductions it was time for tenors Drew & Stephen to sing. They both did a great job, and then I left to attend the aforementioned party. Here's a picture of me with Stephen.

The plan was for Randy to pick me up at Krannert. As I walked from the lawn of college chapel to Krannert I was rewarded with the new & beautiful Kilpatrick Commons. Some fun college friends had decided to be festive, so you will note the water is extra sudsy in the pictures.

I also found these two guys hanging out over at Krannert. Greg & Stephen were December graduates, both music majors. They told me they would both be attending grad school beginning in August. I'm glad they have plans!

So, graduation happened and the students whooped and hollered. The parents said Praise the Lord they finished! Now what? For the students it means starting to work in the real world, searching for a job, or the ever popular answer - grad school! I wish them all the best, but I will miss them.

It happens every May, students that I have come to know and love - leave. There have been past years when I would get really depressed. It's hard when you are accustomed to seeing and talking with these vibrant young adults on a regular basis. We have them in our home, we feed them, we learn about their dreams and plans. We pray for them, and with them as they seek the next step in their life. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it. Some of the students become my kids during their time at Berry (and sometimes Shorter!).

In 2004 we had a bumper crop of students that were very special, and it was so hard for me that May. I missed that daily or semi-regular communication with them. I could call them or email them, but it wasn't the same. They weren't on campus, they weren't at church, and my dinner table was not the same without them.

That was the year that I realized that just as I missed them and our daily talks, the Lord misses us when we don't communicate with Him on a regular basis. God made us to be in relationship with Him, and He desires to hear from us daily. He wants us to be in His house on Sundays. He wants us to be at His table, to hear His voice.

Here is a picture of one of our recent graduates, Chad Rowell. Chad was a faithful member at Calvary during this last 3 years at Berry. He worked with the youth, sang in the adult choir his senior year, and was a tremendous blessing to the Nobles family. Chad heads to Dallas/Ft. Worth this fall to attend seminary.

All the best to Chad and the other recent graduates, we hope to stay in touch and hear your voice. We pray that you will also keep your relationship strong with the Lord and listen for His voice.

Cat tails & God

This is Rowdy, he is almost a year old. He is a fun and crazy cat. Like most cats he comes and goes on his own terms. Sometimes he wants attention, other times just leave him alone. Occasionally he still likes to play with his tail. It just amazes me that he will suddenly start chasing his tail. He will spin round and round trying to "catch" his tail. Now, he must know that it is his tail - it follows him everywhere. Most of the time he doesn't pay attention to his tail, but on occasion he can't stop chasing it. Then just as suddenly he stops, and wanders off to eat....tail forgotten.

While watching Rowdy this morning, I begin to think that we are often like this with God. He is always there, but much of the time we ignore Him. We can go days or weeks without even noticing God, then all the sudden we have this crazy pursuit of God. Many times it's a struggle or trial that sends us pursuing God. Other times we may realize our need for Him, and there we are trying to catch Him. But, of course, He has been there all along....just waiting for us to run toward Him. Just like Rowdy and his tail.

"O God, Thou art my God, I shall seek Thee earnestly;
My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee,
In a dry and weary land where these is no water.
Thus I have beheld Thee in the sanctuary,
To see Thy power and Thy glory.
Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life." Psalm 63:1

Kate's Tri-athalon

Kate is a swimmer, but decided to do a kids tri-athalon. This was the 2nd year for the event in Rome. She did little training for the biking and running, mostly due to her allergies. She has severe allergies in the spring and it's difficult for her to spend time outside. She already has plans to participate in the tri-athalon next year and promises to train before March! The pictures tell the story, but the details are SWIM 100 yards (no problem) BIKE 4.8 miles (it's hot and there is a head wind), RUN 1 mile (problem!). She finished in 41 minutes...but SHE FINISHED and wants to do it again next year. For those who can't remember, Kate is 11.

Kate and her friend Sarah.

Kate is first out of the pool in her heat!

Running to the bike area

Strong on the first biking loop.

This was the "look" on the 2nd loop of the bike route.

Kate did a lot of walking during the run.

On the track, she jogs to the finish.

Exhausted after 41 minutes on a hot May afternoon.

Sarah & Kate with their medals. All finishers got a medal.

The tri-athalon was a fund raiser for the Boys and Girls Club in Rome.

There were over 250 kids that participated (ages 7 - 14) on the Darlington campus.