Home!

I thought I would close out this phase of our travels by saying, "We're home!" We officially got home Halloween evening. We were home in time to get the trailer parked and mostly unloaded before the little ghosts, goblins, and one precious angel were out. However, we weren't home in time to dress up ourselves. Fortunately, we have very easy going children, and the kids were content with handing out candy and not receiving. How blessed am I? Very, in every way imaginable!

I've been cleaning and washing and putting away, reorganizing and remembering a dozen more things I must do sooner rather than later. I'm thankful to be home, and even more thankful that I put a moratorium on activities this week. I just need time to find my new groove. So far, so good. I've made dinner and done dishes every night this week, and I'm back to my daily morning walks. Once I get my vacuum cleaner back with a new clutch, life should be golden!

Off to Yellowstone!

After a fun filled week in Montana, I think we're finally off to Yellowstone! We've been to Glacier National Park, Great Falls (Missouri River, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center), Helena (including the Cathedral of Helena), Bozeman (Museum of the Rockies), and Deer Lodge (Grant-Kohrs National Historic Ranch).

Now, time for a change of pace...Yellowstone and more school. Life is grand! Always remember to take time to enjoy the precious little things. LD told me yesterday, "I still have a little bit of baby in me. I like to snuggle."

Back on the road!

I'm finally heading out of the great northwest. Montana, here I come! The cool thing? I'm going to drive right through Wallace, Idaho. I lived there as a child and have many fond memories of that town. Among other things, Mount St. Helens erupted while we lived there. We cleaned ash for weeks and weeks. That's also where I learned to ski...ah, fond memories.

Off to hitch the trailer!

A whole new day.

I'm somewhat thankful yesterday is over. It was interesting and busy, but not in a way you might imagine. We tried to let "the big girls" have a sleep over...meaning Little Miss was allowed to sleep in the house with her cousins. There are 7 (yes, seven) girl cousins, and one girl foster child in the house. Cousins 1, 2 and 5 share a room. #5 ended up having to sleep elsewhere since the big girls were so loud. By 10:30pm, we finally gave up and sent LM back out to the trailer so all involved could get some decent sleep. Ah, the joys of raising giggling little girls! I think all the rain and being shut up in the house must have increased their squirrelly-ness levels. :o)

Today is another day. So far, so good. I was hoping to leave today, but I'm not sure how far I will get. Although I may prefer to leave today to avoid commute traffic in the morning. It's not easy being the only adult making decisions on this trip. I need another head considering the options...and not the confusing input of 4 kids who have 4 wildly different ideas. Oy!

I'm trying to check off all my electronic chores before we leave. If I can get those off my plate, I think I'll feel better about moving on. And maybe I'll have a plan again sometime soonish...

About yesterday.

Yesterday really was a nice day overall. The end was a little hectic, but reading a book (we're currently reading "The Lightening Thief" by Rick Riordan) and curling up in bed seemed to curb the wiggles.

After investing in new wiper blades, we headed off to the Kingston/Edmonds Ferry. We made it with plenty of time to spare, meaning we just missed the last ferry, so we had a chance to walk around and get lunch. Since it was such a short ferry ride across Puget Sound, we stayed in the car, eating lunch and listening to more of our current bedtime book.

The drive out to North Cascades National Park was beautiful. The wind had picked up and was blowing maple leaves every which way. It was quite peaceful, and brought back childhood memories for me as we swept through the leaves piled high on the road. We saw horses, cows, goats, more horses and a fox during our drive. We also saw several waterfalls...some very impressive, some just inspiring a passing "aw...." We stopped in the Newhalem Visitor's Center and picked up four Junior Ranger books. Two kids managed to finish theirs before the visitor center closed.

We backtracked to Sedro-Wolley, Washington for our overnight stay, where things were a bit hectic. Now, we're about to pick up and drive around the Cascade Loop...through the northern part of North Cascades National Park, and then looping around through the southern tip and back across the Sound...just in time for a birthday party for Lil' Penguin. My niece has been a penguin for most of our 2 week visit. It's very cute and endearing...and sometimes frustrating as she won't respond to her name, only to "Penguin." :o)

Until next time!

So much for that idea...

I had wild plans of a well thought out and written post for tonight. Unfortunately, I don't think that will be happening. I'm in a hotel room with 4 very loud and energetic kids. My frustration level is obnoxiously high, since we've already moved rooms once due to a complaining downstairs neighbor. I asked for a ground floor room. I'm on the second floor. I asked to be away from other patrons. She put me directly above someone who apparently needed to be asleep before 7pm in order to rise early tomorrow. I give up. Aside from duct taping my children, I'm at a loss to curb their loud enthusiasm and elephantine foot steps.

I've also decided my helper behavior (my desire to help those around me who need it) is side-tracking me from my goal...Canada and the rest of my trip. So I've determined to pick up and get back on the road. I started today by heading out across the Sound (Kingston to Edmonds) and then up into North Cascades National Park. I'm in a hotel overnight, and will continue our adventure tomorrow, completing a Cascades Scenic Loop, recrossing the Sound (Edmonds to Kingston) and returning to Bremerton in time for a birthday party for our second littlest niece...she turns 3 tomorrow.

Saturday we'll go see some steamer trains. Sunday, church. Monday...underway, shift colors.

The plan.

The deal is, I no longer have a plan. The plan has left the building. Or maybe the state. I'm not sure where it went, but it's gone.

The plan used to be that I would finish up here, then head into Canada, over to Banff, Calgary, then Saskatoon. Then it was to be Glacier, Yellowstone, Arches, Grand Canyon and then home. Now...well, now I'm not sure what the plan is.

There are several options. First, I could do day trips, or an over night trip into Canada and possibly up to Alaska (maybe up to Skagway). I would leave my trailer here at my brother's and just tool around in the truck.

Second, I could continue on as planned, despite wondering if my head is screwed on right. It is getting late in the season, snow is going to start falling soon, and many things are already shut down for the season.

Third, I could scrap Canada and Alaska all together and head home along the coast, or back the US route previously planned, or...so many options!

In any case, the plan is, I don't have a plan. I was going to leave tomorrow. But now my brother has been yanked for another business trip, leaving my SIL to do a birthday party by herself on Friday. I think we'll hang out for a princess party, and then after the weekend, I'll make a plan. That's the plan, anyway. Maybe.