We are getting ready to set off again after this longer than expected stop off in Coeur d'Alene!
We are more than ready to be on the road again, and not just because of the ridiculously dismal spring we've had.
We just miss everything about being on the road!
Not to say we haven't had some great times here, spending time with the friends and family we have been missing so much, checking out the new shops and restaurants that have popped up in our absence, raiding the library, bike rides, picnics at the park (once the weather finally let up a bit)... and sewing!
Jamie received a sewing machine for her birthday and I must admit I've gotten as much enjoyment out of it as she has. I have been meaning to photo document our adventure but as Mr. Nelson says "ain't it funny how time slips away"...
My other exciting acquisition is my very own MacBook. (Thank you office tenant who wanted to upgrade, actually, thank you Robb who is the deal finding master!!) Yet in my MacBook excitement and luxury I don't actually know how to put pictures on here yet?!
Off to take advantage of this rainy day and do some clothes sorting. It's amazing how having a departure date can brighten up one's attitude?!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
"and bad mistakes, I've made a few...." Queen
This month's blog carnival at Families on the Road is talking about mistakes you've made along the way.
The universal truth and biggest mistake that immediately surfaces deals with stuff.
We brought too much stuff, and then we acquired more; rocks (my mistake, pets), feathers (I mean quills), sticks (sorry, wands) treasured art (ok when my children are the artists I'm the guilty mislabeler here); it still takes up physical and mental space.
It is an ongoing project.
George Carlin makes me laugh about stuff. Speaking of stuff; if you haven't seen this it is definitely worth a gander.
As with most subjects this is not unique to living in an rv.
We fill the spaces we have.
Other mistakes are more specific to us.
Was a failing hitch a mistake or just a narrowly avoided disaster?
Was pulling down a long narrow cliff sided road and discovering no place to turn around something you can put on a list of "not to do"?
On the other hand not checking to see if certain hot springs were still operational BEFORE we made a midnight trek could probably be classified as a mistake.
Oh and not testing the 'newly repaired' black tank BEFORE re-installing it might make it on my husband's list of mistakes.
Speaking of my husband's list I think he might also include trying to do repairs while parked on the incredibly small shoulder of a surprisingly busy highway.
Alas, mistakes, as painful as they may be at the time are also usually the stories you bother sharing with people later.
The universal truth and biggest mistake that immediately surfaces deals with stuff.
We brought too much stuff, and then we acquired more; rocks (my mistake, pets), feathers (I mean quills), sticks (sorry, wands) treasured art (ok when my children are the artists I'm the guilty mislabeler here); it still takes up physical and mental space.
It is an ongoing project.
George Carlin makes me laugh about stuff. Speaking of stuff; if you haven't seen this it is definitely worth a gander.
As with most subjects this is not unique to living in an rv.
We fill the spaces we have.
Other mistakes are more specific to us.
Was a failing hitch a mistake or just a narrowly avoided disaster?
Was pulling down a long narrow cliff sided road and discovering no place to turn around something you can put on a list of "not to do"?
On the other hand not checking to see if certain hot springs were still operational BEFORE we made a midnight trek could probably be classified as a mistake.
Oh and not testing the 'newly repaired' black tank BEFORE re-installing it might make it on my husband's list of mistakes.
Speaking of my husband's list I think he might also include trying to do repairs while parked on the incredibly small shoulder of a surprisingly busy highway.
Alas, mistakes, as painful as they may be at the time are also usually the stories you bother sharing with people later.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Visiting Home
I find it hard to report on our adventure when it is in flux.
We are in Coeur d'Alene to address some work issues. The duration of our visit is undetermined and I think part of me was feeling anxious and waiting until we had definite plans before I wrote about it.
Plans are only that and when you flow with life those plans change. Often.
This can be disappointing; we won't be able to visit the East Coast on this trip and Alaska has turned into a maybe. But the things that surface as alternatives are better because they fit correctly and ultimately will be what the memories are made of.
Robb flew down to Santa Barbara and picked up the motorhome last week and it is wonderful to have it back. We've each been missing some 'stuff' and are happy to have it back.
The current plan is to take some smaller local trips while we finish up the work that needs to be done and then head to South Bend for some family time. Yellowstone, Glacier, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse..., the route is not lacking.
I won't venture with further plans... have I learned a lesson here?! Probably not.
The other side of the coin has been anything but disappointing.
Being back in Coeur d'Alene and getting to see our family and friends who we have been missing has been soul warming! We have had so much fun catching up and enjoying the generous hospitality we are beyond grateful.
We just can't wait until we have a place of our own to reciprocate!
We are in Coeur d'Alene to address some work issues. The duration of our visit is undetermined and I think part of me was feeling anxious and waiting until we had definite plans before I wrote about it.
Plans are only that and when you flow with life those plans change. Often.
This can be disappointing; we won't be able to visit the East Coast on this trip and Alaska has turned into a maybe. But the things that surface as alternatives are better because they fit correctly and ultimately will be what the memories are made of.
Robb flew down to Santa Barbara and picked up the motorhome last week and it is wonderful to have it back. We've each been missing some 'stuff' and are happy to have it back.
The current plan is to take some smaller local trips while we finish up the work that needs to be done and then head to South Bend for some family time. Yellowstone, Glacier, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse..., the route is not lacking.
I won't venture with further plans... have I learned a lesson here?! Probably not.
The other side of the coin has been anything but disappointing.
Being back in Coeur d'Alene and getting to see our family and friends who we have been missing has been soul warming! We have had so much fun catching up and enjoying the generous hospitality we are beyond grateful.
We just can't wait until we have a place of our own to reciprocate!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Learning on the Road
This entry is for the blog carnival at Families on the Road.
The subject this month is learning on the road.
When I first approached this subject I was a bit confused. How could one NOT learn on the road? You are faced with new experiences, customs, landscapes, fauna, wildlife, architecture, people and situations constantly.
I suppose the answer is the same whether on the road or in a bricks and sticks. If you are curious and inquisitive the opportunities for learning literally surround you.
On the road these things change as often as you move, enjoy the opportunity to pursue those things that move you and be open to discovering new passions.
The subject this month is learning on the road.
When I first approached this subject I was a bit confused. How could one NOT learn on the road? You are faced with new experiences, customs, landscapes, fauna, wildlife, architecture, people and situations constantly.
I suppose the answer is the same whether on the road or in a bricks and sticks. If you are curious and inquisitive the opportunities for learning literally surround you.
On the road these things change as often as you move, enjoy the opportunity to pursue those things that move you and be open to discovering new passions.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Long Trip in a Small Truck
Do you really think we could have been this close to the garlic capital of the world and not stop by for a visit??
We are now in the middle of our three day journey up to Coeur d' Alene. The oscillation between slap happy silliness and acute pain is instantaneous and totally unpredictable.
We are now in the middle of our three day journey up to Coeur d' Alene. The oscillation between slap happy silliness and acute pain is instantaneous and totally unpredictable.
San Jose and San Mateo
We have just finished an abbreviated but fantastic NorCal visit. We have some work issues that need to be addressed in person and so had to cut our visit short and are en route to CdA for a couple weeks.
When you are young you think that the friends you have will be in your life forever. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have it be true.
Don't be fooled by the picture, Aki and I actually do like each other, and have for almost 25 years. That makes us sound old but I assure you we are not.
Everything I start to write about our visit starts to sound like a long sappy love letter so I'll just say thanks for a good time.
Now it just sounds weird.
That works.
Cindy and Eric hosted the most amazing dinner. With 12 week old Julia pizza and a six pack would have been amazing, but no, think amazing appetizers, oyster and artichoke soup, crab legs, gourmet salad, garlic bread and pie.
Sorry, two pies.
So we keep them up until three in the morning solving the world's problems and they get up and make us blueberry pancakes. And they're still smiling.
Meredith and I and our babies; some bigger than others. Robb and I have tried to not be those people who repeatedly tell new parents how fast it goes. But look; here I have undeniable proof.
We love you guys and look forward to the next time our paths cross!!
When you are young you think that the friends you have will be in your life forever. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have it be true.
Don't be fooled by the picture, Aki and I actually do like each other, and have for almost 25 years. That makes us sound old but I assure you we are not.
Everything I start to write about our visit starts to sound like a long sappy love letter so I'll just say thanks for a good time.
Now it just sounds weird.
That works.
Cindy and Eric hosted the most amazing dinner. With 12 week old Julia pizza and a six pack would have been amazing, but no, think amazing appetizers, oyster and artichoke soup, crab legs, gourmet salad, garlic bread and pie.
Sorry, two pies.
So we keep them up until three in the morning solving the world's problems and they get up and make us blueberry pancakes. And they're still smiling.
Meredith and I and our babies; some bigger than others. Robb and I have tried to not be those people who repeatedly tell new parents how fast it goes. But look; here I have undeniable proof.
We love you guys and look forward to the next time our paths cross!!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Carson City
This is how we deal with being house guests at homes with white carpet and grown up furniture.
The kids don't even question it, they think it is how we should always eat.
Being with family nourishes us. Being on the road is phenomenal, no question, but there is a certain drifting un-rooted air that only family and friends can disperse.
We had to sneak in this visit as the jet-setting ones are on their way to Hawaii at the end of this week and are pretty well booked up for the rest of the year.
The kids idolize their cousins as only younger cousins can and have so enjoyed the opportunity to hang out.
We went to the Children's Museum, just to entertain the kids of course....
until we found the dance revolution and rotating climbing wall that is.
I'm sure Jeannine will be scrambling to pack as soon as we leave but we can't resist keeping her chatting to us in the kitchen for hours on end. Mike got home last night from a business trip so we got to catch up him finally.
And catch up in a proper like way, over sushi. This dessert roll was a first for us, but not a last; yummy!!
On the way to tour their AMAZING new house we had to stop and watch the 10 or so deer wandering around the town.
We celebrated at Ichi Ban on our last night together; the food, the entertainment and most of all the company had a quality unsurpassed.
The kids don't even question it, they think it is how we should always eat.
Being with family nourishes us. Being on the road is phenomenal, no question, but there is a certain drifting un-rooted air that only family and friends can disperse.
We had to sneak in this visit as the jet-setting ones are on their way to Hawaii at the end of this week and are pretty well booked up for the rest of the year.
The kids idolize their cousins as only younger cousins can and have so enjoyed the opportunity to hang out.
We went to the Children's Museum, just to entertain the kids of course....
until we found the dance revolution and rotating climbing wall that is.
I'm sure Jeannine will be scrambling to pack as soon as we leave but we can't resist keeping her chatting to us in the kitchen for hours on end. Mike got home last night from a business trip so we got to catch up him finally.
And catch up in a proper like way, over sushi. This dessert roll was a first for us, but not a last; yummy!!
On the way to tour their AMAZING new house we had to stop and watch the 10 or so deer wandering around the town.
We celebrated at Ichi Ban on our last night together; the food, the entertainment and most of all the company had a quality unsurpassed.
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