Really, nothing notable has happened since I last posted, but I figured since I have an internet connection, I might as well use it.
This week we have been heavily focused on school. It has been nice to have a routine and the space to spread out and really get into our work. And the weather has been more than pleasant here. Lately there's been less rain and more sun and even some beautiful clear skies at night. I love to lay in my bed and look out the window up into the night sky. I've seen countless falling stars, watched a satellite pass overhead and enjoyed the peace of knowing my husband is (relatively) safe on the other side of the world.
In other news, we seem closer to deciding on a mid-deployment meeting point and time. I have a plan for the kids, a destination, even a time frame. Our destination is Rome, and we meet on our 15th wedding anniversary. At the moment, this all feels a little surreal. Perhaps as the time draws nearer, it will become more real. Maybe when I pack. I'm definitely excited and know this will more than make up for our lack of a honeymoon. :o)
Did I ever mention why I've stopped our trip for the moment? The details are fairly boring (unless you would find it amusing that MM put a stick through the awning to drain water for me), but I decided with all the rain we were getting I really needed to have a functional awning. So last Friday we came in to town (Bremerton), got measured for a new awning, which should be shipped this Friday. We should be able to have it installed next week, and then head off for Canada. I'm so glad our travel itinerary is flexible enough to include time for random stops. It's nice to have no deadlines, no obligations, nowhere to be by a certain time.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Just checking in...
It seems this time around, it is much more difficult to post to my blog regularly. I began to ponder why this was, then realized, this is a whole different type of trip.
In 2007, I traveled in the van, stayed in hotels, and had wifi wherever I went. This time, I'm traveling in our truck, towing the trailer, dry camping in far out of the way, remote parts of the country, usually totally with out internet or even phone access. I suppose it makes more sense that this is the third time I've even turned on my computer in the last 6 weeks of my trip.
So please forgive my lack of blogging. I had terribly good intentions...and I do think my time is being wisely spent...on my kids and on myself. We're having a wonderful time, learning ever so much, doing quite well with school, and enjoying our time together, without electronics. It's really peaceful, actually. No television. No computers. No handheld games. Just good old fashioned books, dirt, and the great outdoors.
Back to Diamond Lake. I feel it deserves a special mention. My high hopes of sharing the thrill of fishing with the kids was short lived, I'm afraid. The day we arrived, it poured as we attempted to fish from the shore. We caught a few snags and one unsuspecting moored boat. The next day, it also poured, but we braved the rain and cast a few times from the shore. At one point, our poor Little Dude cast his line and said, "Well, that was pitiful. Ugh!" I couldn't help but laugh right out loud at his total disgust regarding his ability to cast. That particular attempt ended about three feet from his toes. He wasn't impressed.
The third day was sunny, but cold, so we opted for a morning horse ride through the forest. That boosted their spirits enough that they were eager to try their hands at fishing again. This time, I rented a 16 foot boat with an outboard motor. I was done taking hooks out of trees and mooring lines. I was certain we would have much better luck out on the lake. Armed with power bait and 4,695 different types of lures, we set out. We fished near shore and away from shore. We trawled, we sat very still, we watched boats on either side of us bringing in as many as 3 fish at a time. Alas, it wasn't our day for trout. Not even a single nibble was to be had. Good thing we went horseback riding earlier. At least one part of the day was exciting!
Since then, we've been to Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and most recently, Mt. Olympus. We're still studying volcanoes. At the moment, I'm in Bremerton, WA vising my brother's family. I've got a few things trailer-wise to take care of before we move on, so that's our focus at the moment. I'm using this time to catch up on the mundane aspects of my life, like balancing the checkbook and downloading pictures to my computer. Soon enough, we'll move on, but for now, it's nice to wash dishes in a dishwasher, plug into an electrical outlet, and have hot water on demand...not just when I remember to relight the water heater after changing campsites. Life is good!
In 2007, I traveled in the van, stayed in hotels, and had wifi wherever I went. This time, I'm traveling in our truck, towing the trailer, dry camping in far out of the way, remote parts of the country, usually totally with out internet or even phone access. I suppose it makes more sense that this is the third time I've even turned on my computer in the last 6 weeks of my trip.
So please forgive my lack of blogging. I had terribly good intentions...and I do think my time is being wisely spent...on my kids and on myself. We're having a wonderful time, learning ever so much, doing quite well with school, and enjoying our time together, without electronics. It's really peaceful, actually. No television. No computers. No handheld games. Just good old fashioned books, dirt, and the great outdoors.
Back to Diamond Lake. I feel it deserves a special mention. My high hopes of sharing the thrill of fishing with the kids was short lived, I'm afraid. The day we arrived, it poured as we attempted to fish from the shore. We caught a few snags and one unsuspecting moored boat. The next day, it also poured, but we braved the rain and cast a few times from the shore. At one point, our poor Little Dude cast his line and said, "Well, that was pitiful. Ugh!" I couldn't help but laugh right out loud at his total disgust regarding his ability to cast. That particular attempt ended about three feet from his toes. He wasn't impressed.
The third day was sunny, but cold, so we opted for a morning horse ride through the forest. That boosted their spirits enough that they were eager to try their hands at fishing again. This time, I rented a 16 foot boat with an outboard motor. I was done taking hooks out of trees and mooring lines. I was certain we would have much better luck out on the lake. Armed with power bait and 4,695 different types of lures, we set out. We fished near shore and away from shore. We trawled, we sat very still, we watched boats on either side of us bringing in as many as 3 fish at a time. Alas, it wasn't our day for trout. Not even a single nibble was to be had. Good thing we went horseback riding earlier. At least one part of the day was exciting!
Since then, we've been to Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and most recently, Mt. Olympus. We're still studying volcanoes. At the moment, I'm in Bremerton, WA vising my brother's family. I've got a few things trailer-wise to take care of before we move on, so that's our focus at the moment. I'm using this time to catch up on the mundane aspects of my life, like balancing the checkbook and downloading pictures to my computer. Soon enough, we'll move on, but for now, it's nice to wash dishes in a dishwasher, plug into an electrical outlet, and have hot water on demand...not just when I remember to relight the water heater after changing campsites. Life is good!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Time to move on...
I got my electrical issues straightened out yesterday, so it's time to move on to our next stop. I think we'll go to Diamond Lake. It's where I remember going fishing every year as a kid. I caught my first fish there when I was 2. I remember being terrified the fish would bite me...fish have teeth! I'm hoping to share some of that excitement and wonder with our kids.
It's also time to refocus on school and get a new routine. I think the change in weather will help with that. It's chilly and rainy out, so perfect for snuggling in for a good lesson or two inside. We have so many new things to learn!
So for now, so long to all things electrical, and hello to a more relaxed pace. Until next time!
It's also time to refocus on school and get a new routine. I think the change in weather will help with that. It's chilly and rainy out, so perfect for snuggling in for a good lesson or two inside. We have so many new things to learn!
So for now, so long to all things electrical, and hello to a more relaxed pace. Until next time!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Land of electricity and showers
I'm temporarily back in the land of showers and electricity. And food I don't have to cook. I swear I had the best slice of Costco pizza the day we came back into town!
Since I've been back in town, I've ironed a half a million tablecloths, done laundry, had my phone hard wiped and reloaded, attended a wedding and a myriad of other things. Truly, it's been both a busy and a happy time. My cousin, once or twice removed or second or something, got married today. I was so happy to see her walk down the aisle with her father into the arms of her loving, new husband. I cried. The kids looked at me funny as the tears streamed down my face, but I just couldn't help it. The wedding was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, the vows were beautiful. I missed my own husband something fierce today. I'm a little bit sad and missing him more than I care to admit.
I'm not sure I have the time or energy to update all we've been doing. The short story is we went from Lake Tahoe to Lassen National Park. There the kids earned their Volcano Club patch, a Junior Firefighter patch, a Green Junior Ranger patch and their Junior Ranger badges. From there, we headed up north to Lava Beds National Monument. Again, they earned their Junior Ranger badges, but also earned a Night Sky Junior Ranger patch.
In Lassen we learned a lot about volcanoes. We even walked through an enormous lava tube called Subway Cave. After getting to hike a cinder cone, learning the four major types of volcanoes and otherwise whetting our appetites for volcanoes, we just had to learn more! So off we went to Lava Beds National Monument, where there are more than 750 lava tube caves to explore. We also learned a lot about the only California Indian War...the Modoc Indian War. Our hike was lead by a Modoc indian who detailed the war and all it entailed. It was fascinating and eye-opening.
In general, we've been learning oh-so-much and having so much fun! We've seen hot days, and snow and everything in between. We've seen wildlife (coyotes, deer, elk), and learned the difference between a ground squirrel, a golden mantled ground squirrel, a chipmonk and a chiccory. And we've had pine cones chucked at us from high up in trees! Some of those squirrels can be pretty darn aggressive!
In any case, please don't let the lack of posting trick you into thinking we aren't having much fun. We are! I just so rarely have the chance to sit and write about our day. This is an entirely different trip from my last long trip with the kids...oh-so different!
Loving hugs to those who read! And for my sweetheart...a picture of me. :o)
Since I've been back in town, I've ironed a half a million tablecloths, done laundry, had my phone hard wiped and reloaded, attended a wedding and a myriad of other things. Truly, it's been both a busy and a happy time. My cousin, once or twice removed or second or something, got married today. I was so happy to see her walk down the aisle with her father into the arms of her loving, new husband. I cried. The kids looked at me funny as the tears streamed down my face, but I just couldn't help it. The wedding was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, the vows were beautiful. I missed my own husband something fierce today. I'm a little bit sad and missing him more than I care to admit.
I'm not sure I have the time or energy to update all we've been doing. The short story is we went from Lake Tahoe to Lassen National Park. There the kids earned their Volcano Club patch, a Junior Firefighter patch, a Green Junior Ranger patch and their Junior Ranger badges. From there, we headed up north to Lava Beds National Monument. Again, they earned their Junior Ranger badges, but also earned a Night Sky Junior Ranger patch.
In Lassen we learned a lot about volcanoes. We even walked through an enormous lava tube called Subway Cave. After getting to hike a cinder cone, learning the four major types of volcanoes and otherwise whetting our appetites for volcanoes, we just had to learn more! So off we went to Lava Beds National Monument, where there are more than 750 lava tube caves to explore. We also learned a lot about the only California Indian War...the Modoc Indian War. Our hike was lead by a Modoc indian who detailed the war and all it entailed. It was fascinating and eye-opening.
In general, we've been learning oh-so-much and having so much fun! We've seen hot days, and snow and everything in between. We've seen wildlife (coyotes, deer, elk), and learned the difference between a ground squirrel, a golden mantled ground squirrel, a chipmonk and a chiccory. And we've had pine cones chucked at us from high up in trees! Some of those squirrels can be pretty darn aggressive!
In any case, please don't let the lack of posting trick you into thinking we aren't having much fun. We are! I just so rarely have the chance to sit and write about our day. This is an entirely different trip from my last long trip with the kids...oh-so different!
Loving hugs to those who read! And for my sweetheart...a picture of me. :o)
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