Friday, November 28, 2008

Thanksgiving Day

I woke up in Detroit at 7:20am which was 6:20am Wisconsin time. The day before I traveled to Detroit to be in their Thanksgiving day parade. Thanksgiving morning we were taken from the hotel to breakfast where Peter Vanderkay and I did a radio interview. The day got started off with lots of food. We were at this restaurant and the chef came out to ask what we wanted to eat. I said everything but eggs (I'm allergic to eggs). Two minutes later he came out with a plate that spelled heart attack...about a pound of bacon and sausage with huge rustic fried potatoes, donuts and bagels. Needless to say I didn't eat too much. I knew this day was going to be filled with eating and needed to pace myself.

From breakfast Peter and I were taken to a live TV interview with the local TV that was covering the parade. It was a very short interview that basically talked to us about our Olympic experience. The temperature was quite cold. Although I'm from Wisconsin, I have lived in Texas the past six years and am no longer fit for the cold...I'm a whimp now haha:)
Peter and I were placed on a float sponsored by Pepsi that was called the "Let Freedom Ring Float." We were accompanied by an Olympic soccor player named Lindsay as well as a Paralympic swimmer named Cheryl. The float had a huge bald eagle on the back with the statue of liberty and the liberty bell. It was quite the float! There were two huge speakers on the front that were blaring this up-beat song about America. The song actually had a really good ring to it. It was one of those songs that even if it is the first time you hear it you can sing along.

It was great to see all the people who came out to see the parade. As our float proceeded through the parade we got tons of cheers, USA chants, waves and smiles. People in the streets were even singing and dancing to the song...it was hilarious! Although I had questioned whether or not to go to the parade on Thanksgiving day...it was the right decision. Seeing the happiness on people's faces was really special!

At the conclusion, there was a car waiting to take me to the airport. They rushed so I could try to catch a 12:24 flight instead of my 3:40 flight. I made the early flight. Unfortunately, after we all loaded the plane they told us there was a hydraulic leak and we all had to get off. Northwest found us another plane and we were on our way back to Milwaukee! I got to Milwaukee at about 1:45. From the airport I proceeded to pick my grandma up and take her to our friends' house for Thanksgiving dinner.

As always, dinner was absolutely delicious. Aside from the food, I think my favorite part of the holidays is just being together with family and friends. To me, there is nothing better than family and close friends. I'm very thankful I got back safely to Milwaukee and got to have an amazing time:) I hope all ya'll had just as much fun.

17 comments:

Ty said...

Haha. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Garrett. The parade is always more fun than people expect. I volunteered last year and had so much fun. And yes, it's ALWAYS freezing parade day! Hopefully it won't be the last time you and your friends participate!

Anonymous said...

Glad you had fun. I remember the time i volunteered to walk along side in our mardi grais parade here in P.C.
The kids are always the most fun to watch they enjoy themselves so much. Well i'm off to unwind after surviving 8 hours of working black friday. Did you do any shopping?

LUCY said...

So glad you had fun...a friend of mine that now lives in Detroit emailed me that she went to the parade but missed the float you were on...she was suppose to take some pics of you on the float for me...Oh Well!!!

I know what you mean about the Texas weather...I live in DC now and it does get colder here than San Antonio or Austin...

Anonymous said...

hi garret,im really glad you get home on time.

i have a question, where are your medals??

LUCY said...

Yeah..where are your medals???

Garrett said...

The parade was great!

Kids truly are the best to watch at the parade. Tons of kids were dancing and singing all over the place!

I didn't even really think to bring my medals to the parade. It wasn't until I got there and Peter had his that I realized I should have brought mine...oh well.

Anonymous said...

glad you had a good time :) it sounds like it was a lot of fun. i really enjoy the holidays - not because of the food - but because it brings the family together. and on holidays is really the only time that happens (w/my fam).

you're not kidding about texas turning you wimpy when it comes to weather. i get shivers when it dips below 60! my friends up north tell me all the time that i wouldn't last in real winterish weather. and i have to say that i believe them.

back to thanksgiving... mine was good ! only got to spend 2 and a half hours with all the family though - because i had to work that night. but i enjoyed it. the turkey was dry :( but the side dishes were the best.

<3

Anonymous said...

Glad you had a blast in Detroit and that you made it home safely!!! It's Saturday and I am still stuffed from turkey day. I had an awesome time with family and friends. I am glad that you did too. Take care.

Melanie L said...

My day was good. Besides having a wonderful dinner, I felt God's presence all day as I traveled around by myself. I didn't feel alone at all. I missed my beloved very much, but I was so thankful for all I did have. I was safe all day, I was warm, I had enough to eat, I saw some beautiful streets in Greenwich Village, and made some lasting memories.

Lauren Brent said...

You can bet your bottom dollar I did! :) Got snow and everything, as well as a chance to visit with relatives I haven't seen for a good 2 years!

I know what you mean about Texas making you a whimp, too - before I moved there, I was able to swim at night in winter! Cold was nothing! But after 7 years of Texas "winters," I returned to California and decided I should start buying those things called jackets again... lol.

The parade sounded like it was fun! :) Glad you had a great time!

Garrett said...

I don't know what it is but ever since I came to Texas I just can't handle the really cold weather anymore...Maybe I just don't dress properly for it anymore?

Mark Gale said...

When he was in 10th grade, Garrett declared: "Dad, I'm going to have to go to a warm weather school. There's no way I'm getting up at 5:30 in the morning in the freezing cold and snow to walk across campus and jump into a swimming pool."

LUCY said...

Growing up in Texas, I couldn't wait to leave the warm (sometimes very hot)weather...playing softball in HS, the Texas heat was unbearable at times...

Now Washington, DC cold weather is nowhere close to Wisconsin, but I do get to see snow fall....Well sometimes anyway!

Anonymous said...

I am happy to admit i don't do cold well. Its the southern girl in me. Glad to hear you had a great holiday. My family is over from England to visit. They will be here till wednesday then they are off to Texas.I wanted to ask do you find it hard to find products with out eggs included? I myself am allergic to chocolate. Hope the early morning pratices are going well. Later

Anonymous said...

glad to hear you had a good and safe Thanksgiving!

Lauren Brent said...

"I don't know what it is but ever since I came to Texas I just can't handle the really cold weather anymore...Maybe I just don't dress properly for it anymore?"

I think it has something to do with just getting used to the weather. I know when I lived out in California the first time, I would only get like, shivers, but since moving back from Texas, I've noticed that I get cold all the way to my bones! It's the humidity! It's really a poisonous gas that wreaks havoc on the bodies of those that grew up in cold climates!! lol

Lauren Brent said...

"When he was in 10th grade, Garrett declared: "Dad, I'm going to have to go to a warm weather school. There's no way I'm getting up at 5:30 in the morning in the freezing cold and snow to walk across campus and jump into a swimming pool.""

:D HA! That's great! :)


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