{"id":743,"date":"2016-02-19T04:56:05","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T04:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=743"},"modified":"2016-03-06T02:00:53","modified_gmt":"2016-03-06T02:00:53","slug":"the-millers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/02\/19\/the-millers\/","title":{"rendered":"The Millers"},"content":{"rendered":"

I first met Bill Miller at bootcamp<\/a>\u00a0several years back (exactly this time of year too). \u00a0We were\u00a0randomly placed at\u00a0tables for meal time and Bill and I were put at a table together. \u00a0That weekend had a huge impact on me as I believe it did for many men including Bill. \u00a0Long story short, Bill and Karen Miller served our church and community in so many ways…it seemed like they were involved in everything. \u00a0 Then one summer day in 2014 I’m riding my bike home from work and I pass them riding their bikes out by Golden Ponds. \u00a0We chat for a bit and I share with them our family’s plan to travel the country in a 5th wheel. \u00a0Turns out, they’ve done the same thing….several times! \u00a0Bill ends up in a major leadership role in our church’s construction project to build a\u00a0new facility\u00a0while at the same time he and Karen buy a house in Mobile AL and sell their one in CO. \u00a0And that is how we came to plan a stop in Mobile AL on our adventure across the USA.<\/p>\n

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We got in the truck Friday morning to go to Bill and Karen’s house and I get a “water in fuel” message on the truck. \u00a0Crikey! \u00a0It eventually goes out and we have no problems getting to the Miller’s house and the truck acts perfectly normal. \u00a0I try to put that out of my mind so I can enjoy the day. \u00a0It was SOOOO good to see Bill and Karen…and they were so welcoming. \u00a0The kids fell in love with them and their dogs right away. \u00a0They have an awesome house along the Dog river complete with a classic dock with some cool rocking chairs. \u00a0And they also have a boat that would be our transportation across Mobile Bay. \u00a0We load up the boat and headed out. \u00a0Bill was apologizing that it was so choppy…but the kids were having a ball as we bounced along the water. \u00a0Across the bay, up the intercoastal waterway to LuLu’s for lunch then on up to the warf to try out boiled peanuts. \u00a0Ummm….hrmmm…they tasted alright, but definitely funky. \u00a0Not my preferred preparation of the legume but I’m glad we tried this southern snack. \u00a0The ride back was even bouncier and the kids were just eating it up. \u00a0They were wide eyed and laughing.<\/p>\n

Marine\u00a0fuel, $3.26 a gallon. \u00a0Lunch for seven, $91.03. \u00a0Basket of boiled peanuts, $3.25. \u00a0Hanging out with friends and watching your kids having a blast….PRICELESS!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Back at the house the Millers cooked us a fancy steak dinner\u00a0that we ate at a table with lots of elbow room and everyone got a real chair to sit on! \u00a0It was an awesome day but we were beat, so we headed back home. \u00a0The “water in fuel” message did not appear but the check engine light was on. \u00a0I knew I needed to find a service center first thing in the morning or I’d have to wait until Monday.<\/p>\n

So after dealing with the truck the next morning (I’ll save that for another post) we moved Ava up to a vacant lot owned by neighbors of the Millers and we spent a couple nights at the Miller’s house. \u00a0One of those nights they offered to watch the kids so Steph and I could go out on the town. \u00a0It was wonderful to get to spend some quality time with my angel. \u00a0On a suggestion from the Millers we went to The Listening Room after dinner to listen to Phil and Foster, a local folk\/country\/bluegrass duo. \u00a0The venue is sort of like\u00a0a house concert:\u00a0you are there to listen to the music and the stories behind the music rather than have it as background noise. \u00a0They serve sodas, beer and wine from a fridge but no food. It was really enjoyable.<\/p>\n

Thank you Bill and Karen for your amazing hospitality. \u00a0We all felt so welcome and comfortable with you, in your house and on your boat. \u00a0You were a very welcome taste of “home” and you created for us some memories that will last a lifetime. \u00a0And thank you God for putting the Millers in our life…I’m sure YOU were the one who put Bill and I at that table at bootcamp!!<\/p>\n

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Miller's home<\/p><\/div>

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Relaxed!<\/p><\/div>

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Captain Bill<\/p><\/div>

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Watching dolphins<\/p><\/div>

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Huck and the captain<\/p><\/div>

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Hey...watch where you're driving!<\/p><\/div>

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Mobile Vice<\/p><\/div>

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Caden at the helm<\/p><\/div>

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Captain D<\/p><\/div>

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I'm driving a boat!<\/p><\/div>

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Girl talk<\/p><\/div>

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Backseat drivers<\/p><\/div>

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Awaiting boiled peanuts<\/p><\/div>

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Having fun<\/p><\/div>

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Having the time of their lives!<\/p><\/div>

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Look at that<\/p><\/div>

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Perfect<\/p><\/div>

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Date night!<\/p><\/div>

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Date night<\/p><\/div>

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The group shot (plus neighbor dog)<\/p><\/div>

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Bill and Karen with the kids<\/p><\/div>

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Kids and dogs<\/p><\/div>

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Look at that view<\/p><\/div><\/div>