June 29th

We woke up refreshed today due to a much needed extra hour of sleep. Marshall started the day off with a bang when his cereal exploded all over the breakfast table. Although the explosion was exciting, the best thing about the morning was the return of our fearless driver, JACK. YAHOO!!! After loading the bus, we headed to Yorktown to learn about the amazing history of the town. At exactly 3:31, we pulled into the National 4-H Center. We made it the whole way with zero bus breakdowns.
Upon arriving, we met our awesome PA (Program Assistant), Jeff. After dinner we began an exciting evening of workshops, committee meetings, talent show auditions, and the legendary pin trade.
The following are some memorable moments of the day:
Hope was "punked" by Jared...twice. Once when he told her he killed a grizzly bear, and once when he convinced her that the movie, "The Perfect Man," was his own biography.
JD hit his head so hard he was sent to his knees.
Lauren got locked in the bathroom at the rest stop and nobody rescued her.
Gabe revealed his secret identity as a bird whisperer.
Jessica mistook the Buckeyes for Cow Pies.
Devon and Jared were elected into the delegate House of Representatives.
Tomorrow begins our first day in Washington DC. Everyone is super excited and we can't wait to continue on our adventure.

June 28th

On the road again...we started our trip bright and early this morning. Our first stop today was Williamsburg. Williamsburg was the capitol of Virginia during the 1700s. While there we shopped, learned and laughed. Many of our laughs involved the re-inactors. For example, a group of girls were talking to the soldiers and they told us that when they came over to America on the Porpoise, Andera said, "like a whale, right?" The soldiers also told her she would make a good wife "because she can't read or write." Then some of us tried to teach the soldiers the "Soulja Boy" dance.
We had many other blond moments as well. Shannon saw the wooden barricades and asked if they were old school bike racks. Hope listened to Jared when he told her to sample the 1600s ketchup which was actually hot sauce. Hope also said she would give Lane to the British soldiers in exchange for a picture with her.
After we left Williamsburg, we headed toward what we thought was the motel. Little did we know, Marietta had something different in mind...a surprise! WE WENT TO VIRGINIA BEACH!! Many people jumped into the ocean fully clothed. Some took pictures with the lifeguard. :)
Tonight we stayed in a 2 day old hotel in Gloucester. Jennifer, one of our sponsors, almost burned it down when she put her laptop on the bed. The feathers got a little too hot!! Each day on the road is getting better and better. We can't wait to see what comes next.
Blogger: Ann

June 27th

We started out the day leaving our hotel in Huntington, West Virginia two minutes early! Yeah us!!
Four hours into our morning drive, our bus suddenly coasted to the side of the road. There we sat for two hours while we waited for a mechanic to come fix the problem. However, before the mechanic showed up, flashing lights from a police car & firemen joined us on the shoulder. The policeman came and yelled at a select few for "waving" and Flagging them down from the top of the coach.
Finally we were rescued and we stopped for lunch in the nearest town in Virginia (Lexington). But to our surprise, about 15 minutes outside of town, the coach once again broke down. This time we waited for a new coach to come for nearly 3 hours!
While waiting on the sticky, hot bus we really had the chance to get to know each other. Unfortunately we could not visit Monticello though. Instead we experienced many funny moments bonding together. For example, Molly blowing bubbles, JD teaching Emily B how to throw punches, and Aaron showing his "evil squirrel" face. When Marietta told Joe the girls brought "27 Dresses" he thought she was talking about actual clothes while in fact she was talking about the movie. Joe's facial expression was priceless.
After the new coach and driver arrived we finished our drive to Richmond, Virginia where we enjoyed a short swim in our hotel pool. Hope found out that playing chicken doesn't mean jumping in while flapping your arms.
Although, we really miss our original bus driver, Jack, our third day on the trip turned out pretty awesome!
Blogger: Jessica Bauerle

June 26th

Our second day on the CWF trip began with a big buffet breakfast at the Drury Inn. Then we walked down the street to the St. Louis Arch. When we got there, we were able to wander around a little before riding to the top. We took the "egg-shaped" tram to the top and were able to get a birds-eye view of the flooded Mississippi. Reflecting on the arch: Mary got in trouble for taking a picture while loading the tram and many stated, "It was tall."
Then we met on the steps for a group picture. While we were on the steps, a news guy from Channel 4, was reporting on the flooding. JD, Marietta, Jared and Susan were interviewed by the news man. Check out http://www.kmov.com/ for their interviews.
We all loaded the bus for our long bus trip. Once aboard the two birthday delegates were sang to and given crowns to wear. "Happy Birthday Susan and Jared!" Later in the day the amazing Hope bought a birthday cake for them and shared with everyone on the bus.
Activities on the bus today included movie watching: Invincible, National Treasure, and What a Girl Wants as well as countless games of Pitch, Apples to Apples and Uno. Songs such as "Friends in Low Places" were sung as well.
Some of our stops included lunch at Arbys where we got to ring the bell and a bathroom break where a quick game of Reaction Ball was played.
We arrived at in Hunington, West Virginia around 8:00pm eastern time.
P.S. Jared was said to have taken full advantage of it being his birthday.

Blogger: Susan Todd

Wednesday, June 25th

Today we left on our 12 day adventure. On the bus ride we were able to meet other delegates through a process like speed dating. As we approached St. Louis, we watched a video on how the St. Louis Arch was made. Finally, we arrived in St. Louis.
After checking in at the motel, Drury Inn, the group left for a night at Union Station. One highlight of the evening was visiting the Fudgery. The fudge makers would sing and make fudge at the same time. The man said he was surprised white people have rhythm. Also, there was the whispering arch which was whisperiffic according to Jared Marcuson. When we got back to the hotel and were getting ready to get on an elevator, we kindly let a women take the first elevator. She told us that her mother was a 4-H sewing leader for 10 years and would be very proud of us.
Everyone is looking forward to the exciting week ahead!!
Blogger: Hope James

Getting Ready to Go!

I hope everyone has started packing their bags! It's just a few days until you hit the road for the most memorable road trip of your life!