We stopped at the state park and enjoyed a quick dip the hot springs and a little energy burned at the park.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thermopolis
Yea for Thermopolis hot springs!
We stopped at the state park and enjoyed a quick dip the hot springs and a little energy burned at the park.
We stopped at the state park and enjoyed a quick dip the hot springs and a little energy burned at the park.
Meeteetse Park
We have a little crush on Meeteetse, WY.
Robb got the rig all fixed up (belts and radiator and stuff) and he and the town mechanic fixed the breaks, parking break and all!
The kids and I spent some time exploring the huge downtown museum (indoor and outdoor) and visited the famous chocolate store. Jalapeno truffles; yes please.
As I said the park we were in was great, Jillian learned to get on the swing by herself and would even pump if no one was in pushing distance.
Jamie and Bobby decorated the "dandy-lion" princess. She paraded around like royalty for a good half hour.
The western backdrop made for some very elaborate make-believe games.
As Uncle Ted taught us; a man who chops his own wood warms himself twice.
Robb got the rig all fixed up (belts and radiator and stuff) and he and the town mechanic fixed the breaks, parking break and all!
The kids and I spent some time exploring the huge downtown museum (indoor and outdoor) and visited the famous chocolate store. Jalapeno truffles; yes please.
As I said the park we were in was great, Jillian learned to get on the swing by herself and would even pump if no one was in pushing distance.
Jamie and Bobby decorated the "dandy-lion" princess. She paraded around like royalty for a good half hour.
The western backdrop made for some very elaborate make-believe games.
As Uncle Ted taught us; a man who chops his own wood warms himself twice.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Luck of the Draw
Some dirty hands and a radiator later Robb is buried in belts and oil working on getting us all fixed up.
If we had to break down we could not have picked a more ideal location to do so!
The park we are in is ideal, I'll detail it another time along with the bosom buddy the kids made yesterday.
But the big hit was last night. We went up to Cody; a decidedly western town (paint Jamie in heaven.)
We made it just in time to watch the local gun fight which takes place every night at 6pm.
Then we strolled around the downtown where all the shops are geared toward western themed items. The kids have declared Wyoming one of their most favorite states.
Then on to the Cody Nite Rodeo! I'm having difficulty expressing the kids' excitement. Think Disneyland wrapped up with lollipops and Santa Clause.
They invited all kids 12 and under to come down into the arena and do a calf chase. (Pull the ribbon tied to the calf's tail win a prize.)
My babies made me proud; for some in inexplicable reason Jillian decided to go down too. Robb and I are watching as our little ones stand in the middle of a huge line of other kids as they explained what was about to happen. We watched as Jamie leaned down and gave the other two instructions and when they gave the signal she took off after the calves and Bobby took Jillian's hand and trotted Jillian speed behind. When it was over Jamie went and found the other two and they made their way back to our seats. None were successful in getting a ribbon but mom and dad sure were proud.
If we had to break down we could not have picked a more ideal location to do so!
The park we are in is ideal, I'll detail it another time along with the bosom buddy the kids made yesterday.
But the big hit was last night. We went up to Cody; a decidedly western town (paint Jamie in heaven.)
We made it just in time to watch the local gun fight which takes place every night at 6pm.
Then we strolled around the downtown where all the shops are geared toward western themed items. The kids have declared Wyoming one of their most favorite states.
Then on to the Cody Nite Rodeo! I'm having difficulty expressing the kids' excitement. Think Disneyland wrapped up with lollipops and Santa Clause.
They invited all kids 12 and under to come down into the arena and do a calf chase. (Pull the ribbon tied to the calf's tail win a prize.)
My babies made me proud; for some in inexplicable reason Jillian decided to go down too. Robb and I are watching as our little ones stand in the middle of a huge line of other kids as they explained what was about to happen. We watched as Jamie leaned down and gave the other two instructions and when they gave the signal she took off after the calves and Bobby took Jillian's hand and trotted Jillian speed behind. When it was over Jamie went and found the other two and they made their way back to our seats. None were successful in getting a ribbon but mom and dad sure were proud.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Back on the Blog
Kicking off the next leg of our journey we returned to our original destination; Sandpoint!
A night in the city and then off to visit our friends just outside of Hope.
We had a fantastic visit, it was hard to leave! Thank you Jill and Ben for inviting us and taking the time for an awesome visit and to Greg for so graciously opening your home and charming us all!!
Here are Josiah and the kids in the geodesic tree house Greg built over the creek. Can you say magical? I think they had already kicked Evie and Isaac out and were working on Jillian at the time.
An abandoned mine shaft just a hike away. The kids brought home their own mined quartz. What an adventure!!
Next up to Sourdough right on Lake Pend Oreille for campfire cooking and a great evening with some very special friends! Why do we never remember the camera on nights like this? Well a grand time was had by all. Jillian now knows to spit at trolls lest she wake with blue toenails, and all three are expert fire spinners.... just wait until you guys have kids :)
Next we headed back to CDA for a couple days to button up just a few loose ends and then headed south.
First stop Kamiah, ID where we stopped at a lovely city park with free rv parking and a big play area right next to the river. Jamie is reading Robin Hood and insisted that her siblings play with her. She made costumes to sweeten the deal.
You can see a glimpse of Bobby's missing bottom teeth. He pulled them both out on the same day up in Sandpoint. Jamie is still missing her top two, they are quite the pair.
Here they are play-acting robin hood and his merry men (man) robbing a train. Jillian refused to act on camera but did a fine job playing her roll as conductor and screamer.
Next to Helena, MT; parked downtown and woke up to a fantastic farmers market.
Next on to Yellowstone!
Moose, Elk, Bison, Grizzlies, Marmot, Osprey, Pron Horns, a Coyote and a Wolf!! We hit the wildlife viewing jackpot!! The shots of the grizzly and her cubs were too far off to share and it was pouring down rain when we spotted the wolf but who doesn't love a baby buffalo?
They bison were the most plentiful and we almost tired of watching them. UNTIL these two beauties put on a spectacular sparring match AND THEN decided that the car in this picture was annoying and therefore should not be allowed to pass. They stood in the road like this for at least five minutes while we giggled up a storm. There must have been something in the air because the bison in the field next to us (out of the camera to the left) were busy playfully mounting one another. (We didn't get any shots of that.)
Now we're broken down on the side (safely far away from the traffic) of the road south of Cody, WY. A belt broke and proceeded to do some more damage as we tried to pull off.
I am loosing battery power quickly so I'm going to post this and hopefully add some pics soon!!
Update: Robb managed to piece meal us together and we coasted into Meeteetse, WY and are safe and sound at a lovely rv park where we will play and explore while Robb fixes the rig tomorrow! There is a famous chocolate maker here we can't wait to see so don't feel too bad for us :)
A night in the city and then off to visit our friends just outside of Hope.
We had a fantastic visit, it was hard to leave! Thank you Jill and Ben for inviting us and taking the time for an awesome visit and to Greg for so graciously opening your home and charming us all!!
Here are Josiah and the kids in the geodesic tree house Greg built over the creek. Can you say magical? I think they had already kicked Evie and Isaac out and were working on Jillian at the time.
An abandoned mine shaft just a hike away. The kids brought home their own mined quartz. What an adventure!!
Next up to Sourdough right on Lake Pend Oreille for campfire cooking and a great evening with some very special friends! Why do we never remember the camera on nights like this? Well a grand time was had by all. Jillian now knows to spit at trolls lest she wake with blue toenails, and all three are expert fire spinners.... just wait until you guys have kids :)
Next we headed back to CDA for a couple days to button up just a few loose ends and then headed south.
First stop Kamiah, ID where we stopped at a lovely city park with free rv parking and a big play area right next to the river. Jamie is reading Robin Hood and insisted that her siblings play with her. She made costumes to sweeten the deal.
You can see a glimpse of Bobby's missing bottom teeth. He pulled them both out on the same day up in Sandpoint. Jamie is still missing her top two, they are quite the pair.
Here they are play-acting robin hood and his merry men (man) robbing a train. Jillian refused to act on camera but did a fine job playing her roll as conductor and screamer.
Next to Helena, MT; parked downtown and woke up to a fantastic farmers market.
Next on to Yellowstone!
Moose, Elk, Bison, Grizzlies, Marmot, Osprey, Pron Horns, a Coyote and a Wolf!! We hit the wildlife viewing jackpot!! The shots of the grizzly and her cubs were too far off to share and it was pouring down rain when we spotted the wolf but who doesn't love a baby buffalo?
They bison were the most plentiful and we almost tired of watching them. UNTIL these two beauties put on a spectacular sparring match AND THEN decided that the car in this picture was annoying and therefore should not be allowed to pass. They stood in the road like this for at least five minutes while we giggled up a storm. There must have been something in the air because the bison in the field next to us (out of the camera to the left) were busy playfully mounting one another. (We didn't get any shots of that.)
Now we're broken down on the side (safely far away from the traffic) of the road south of Cody, WY. A belt broke and proceeded to do some more damage as we tried to pull off.
I am loosing battery power quickly so I'm going to post this and hopefully add some pics soon!!
Update: Robb managed to piece meal us together and we coasted into Meeteetse, WY and are safe and sound at a lovely rv park where we will play and explore while Robb fixes the rig tomorrow! There is a famous chocolate maker here we can't wait to see so don't feel too bad for us :)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The Countdown Begins
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?!
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?!
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!
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