This morning the participants planned to surprise Dallas by singing “Wakey, Wakey” to wake her up. Sadly, she was a step ahead of us, and still managed to wake the majority of us up with her favorite morning wake up calls.
Sure, we might grumble a bit, but deep down, we know tomorrow just won't be the same without her energetic wake-up calls. Today, though, we scored a rare victory: we lounged in bed until a glorious 7:15 am!!! It made us all a tad sentimental, knowing this morning snuggle-fest was our last. But hey, we'll always have the memories of waking up side by side, ready to take on the day with Dallas leading the charge!
We embarked on our final bus adventure, feeling the bittersweet reality sinking in: this was our last ride together. First up on our farewell tour? A legendary Walmart run! The cooks stocked up on goodies for the day, ensuring breakfast and lunch were packed with love and shared among friends. With muffins and grapes powering us up, we cruised through Tennessee, nostalgic tunes filling the air as we crossed back into North Carolina. A pit stop at a rest area refreshed us (and the bus!) before we tackled the next mission: cleaning out every nook and cranny of our trusty bus and vans.
Today's journey was a rollercoaster of songs, laughter echoing through the aisles, and heartfelt reminiscing about the incredible 23 days we've shared. And sure, there might've been a tear or two (we won't name names, but it wasn't the Grumpy's—too cool for that, remember?). Our final stop was a symphony of organization, packing up our gear to make the reunion with our families a breeze.
Amidst the packing, we began bidding farewell to our newfound family, each goodbye tinged with a mix of sadness and gratitude for the unforgettable adventures we've had together. As the wheels slowed to a stop, we couldn't help but smile through the goodbyes, knowing that while this journey may end, the memories and bonds we've forged will last a lifetime. Cheers to the epic ride and the incredible people who made it all possible.
Many tears were shed because we can't imagine not spending every day together. Even though we are excited to see our family at the next stop (and maybe even perform a song or two), we will never forget the experiences and memories we have made together.
Teens Westward Bound has been an incredible experience for everyone involved. We have learned more about ourselves, each other, and our beautiful country than we ever imagined possible. We have formed a family and we know these friendships will last a lifetime. Thank you Trip 1, 2024, for giving us some amazing experiences which allowed us to step out of our comfort zone and find who we truly are.
We love you Teens Westward Bound... no matter how grumpy we are!
Xoxo, The Grumpy's + the rest of Trip 1 <3
