And....we're home

And happy about it. The house is still standing, the lawn still green and the chickens still living. Even the non-layer, who was put on palliative care before we left. Piles of paper remind me I have been gone all summer but we slid into summer activities without a second thought.  The Natatorium, Clock Tower Pond, bicycles and routine!! It is the routine for which I am particularly thankful.  Having familiar surrounds and routine have made the kids easier to be around.

How is it to be home, people ask.   Like I never left, I reply.  Still struggling with what to make for dinner, still doing laundry, dishes, complaining about picking up after three people.  I feel we have accomplished something but no real difference. I am acutely aware how the minutiae rules my life and I can learn to manage that better.  One of the takeaways of the trip.

How far did we travel you ask?  After 'mapping' it out in Google Earth and reliving the trip in 20 minutes, approximately and conservatively....drumroll please........

8600 miles.  Wow!  I had no idea!!!

Anyway, just wanted to touch base and create some closure.  We are home safe and better for the experience.

The Last Leg

August 10. The last leg. We stayed in Park City after a long day in the car. Of course, the pool was visited before bed. We headed into downtown for breakfast where people were setting up for Stage 7 of the Utah Tour, a staged bicycle race. The race was a nice spontaneous diversion, visiting tents, bringing home too much schwag. I think Reese's favorite was bicycling and mixing his own smoothie. Not sure about Ruby. They both really wanted to ride the mechanical bull but felt differently once on it.  We beat feet outta there before all of the roads were shut down. The kids decided they like western mountains more than eastern and Ruby wants to move to Park City and live in a hotel.

Here we are on our most familiar route, headed north on 84. El Caporal in Burley for a late lunch will bring us full circle. We swing by the Hill AFB museum to admire planes through the fence with a promise of return. Reese finished reading his first 'Flat Stanley' book.  Ruby can write some of the alphabet. She still writes her name backwards, however. The kids ask about the Natatorium and Snow Cones. Our only selfie. Boise, here we come!

Here We Come!!

August 9. Yesterday was low stress and mellow until we hit Piper's house at 4pm. We ditched the kids with the grandparents and headed out for a field trip to a nearby dispensary.  Can't go to Colorado with checking out the goods!  Nikkol calls 'The Green Solution' the Sharper Image of marijuana dispensaries and it didn't disappoint. Each group or individual who checks in (the busy times are 9-10am, 4:20-7pm) gets their own 'budvisor' to guide them through accessories or product. It was impressive with different strains of marijuana exquisitely marketed and packaged, different edibles of hard candy or baked varieties individually packaged and labeled with the amount of TCH in them, and even drinks, with the amount of THC per bottle. There were also plants one could purchase for $25 each. It was a clean, open, respectable shopping experience. Not all dispensaries are so big with so much variety of product. Some are not much more than a counter with twelve or so items. So I have been told. We didn't have the ability to tour different dispensaries. Everything bought has to be put into a reusable, opaque plastic envelope with a child proof zipper. They don't last long, and I am sure Reese could figure out the zipper but it is a nice safety gesture.  Our visit made me realize not only how much the state was making, taxing marijuana nearly 30%, but how many local jobs were created with this new industry. The 'budvisor' gets a base wage and commission, not to mention all of what goes on behind the scenes.

Today has been a whole different animal. First fail, Hill Air Force Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Second fail. Missed an air show there two days ago. Reese took it like a trooper. No crying or tantrum. Best to hit them hard with disappointment in the morning, they have more reserve.

Third fail, going through the mountains. We set off at 0900, which has proven to be our take off time. We took I-70 which is beautiful, but climbing up to Eisenhower Tunnel was anxiety provoking and maddening. Because of the altitude and the climbing, the van did not appear to be working correctly. Rich had it floored and we were crawling at 45-50. It brought back flashbacks of the previous engine, the Tiico, and all that we had moved past with the conversion. Rich was apoplectic, and calling Ricky Mtn Westy, ready to turn around and take it back. The exit after Eisenhower Tunnel (the tunnel is 1.7 miles long at an elevation of 11,013 ft) is a few miles downhill cooling Rich down a bit. We stopped, I talked about my lifetime of experience in four cylinder Subarus dogging it up the hill, as well as the elevation before deciding to move on. I was ready though, contacting coworkers about switching shifts and looking up the schedule. Now sixty miles down the road and a drop in elevation all has calmed and we are headed home. It seems the 4x4 won't disengage, but we'll look at it later.

We stopped for a bite in Glenwood Springs, realize we are stuck with the 4x4 until home. While we saw glimpses of red rock and desert plants hinting of the southwest and drier climes it is passing through Rifle we feel it. Junipers, dried grasslands, and sage blanket sandy, sedimentary soil. Utah, here we come!

Almost home

August 8. The trip is over, for all intents and purposes. We have been living the good life at my folks house in Louisville, CO for the past week soaking up sun, playing in the pool and watching the cousins horse around.  My sister, her wife and their kids live a half hour from here, and my brother, his wife and their two kids live a bit closer.  Water parks, pools, Museum of Nature and Science, what more can they ask for.  I am exhausted from all of the field trips, sitting in the sun and waking at 7:30 every morning to see 'Poppa' and 'Grandma'.

The kids, Ruby in particular, was under the weather when we arrived.  Red, sore throats, and she was feverish and tired.  Reese looked sick the day before, slept a lot in the van but seemed fine the next day. A good friend called in a scrip for amoxicillin as a preemptive measure as we were going to be spending lots of time with cousins ranging from 5 years to 18 months old. I think Ruby did have strep, not sure about Reese. Two days after antibiotics she said her throat didn't hurt anymore. We have a history here, of showing and leaving some extra 'love' for the cousins.  I am trying to break the cycle.

As always when we are here we so enjoy the family.  Spending time with siblings, watching the kids grow, reconnecting.  It makes one long for the days where geography and distance prevents family from moving away.  I think Rich would be more amenable to moving to the Front Range than I would.  Despite the excellent restaurants and the ability for the open space and trails to balance the traffic, I don't think I could get over the sheer humanity of this area.  We are truly blessed in Boise.

We took Piper and Nikkol out for dinner for Piper's birthday last night.  No kids (had we ever had conversation without kids interrupting?) and it was great. The only time on the entire trip I wore make up, had cocktails and excellent food.  It was a pork joint, but the vegetarian choice was to die for.  No second class 'we have a pasta prima Vera', but real, delicious, fine dining.  I so appreciated the food, the company and the experience.

The van went to Ft Collins the second day we were here for some minor changes and adjustments.  The Subaru conversion necessitated a new wiring harness which we bought from an outfit there. Rich went up and hung out while the guys fined tuned the rig, making it that much more bomber.  They also took everything out of every storage compartment which I replaced today. It is nice because I got to pre-organize for the great dismantling that will take place two days from now.  That really made it feel as if the journey is over.  Although we have two more days of Vanagon fun before pulling in the driveway!

Sunflower State and Back to the West

August 1. I just realized Reese hasn't showered in a week. Lucky boy.  I feel like it has been at least that long for me, so much so that I may start lobbying for a KOA. Tonight we plan on getting to a state park in central Missouri with swimming.  We got duped yesterday.

It is a strange phenomenon here in the corn belt. We stayed at a relatively deserted state park off of Highway 50 with a small lake. I had looked it up online while we were driving (I spend a lot of time on the internet while Rich drives) and it said nothing about not being able to swim.  But there was no swimming due to snapping turtles or algae or something. The kids adjusted more quickly than we did, switching to fishing. Ruby made a friend there as well.

Today we stop in Illinois for lunch at a state park thinking we would take a dip at the lake there. Again, no swimming!!!!  And looking for a camping place in Missouri at state park or national forest campgrounds there would be an option to fish or boat but no swimming.

On highway 50 to St Louis corn and soybeans prevail. We witness food being grown to feed livestock instead of food for humans. Oceans of soybeans and tunnels of corn. Corn so high in some places it obstructs our view. Getting to our camp yesterday we wound through sections of farmland, houses sparse among the fields.   The fields are labeled with signs,  'Pioneer' or ' Agro-Gold' advertise something I am not comfortable with. The seed?  The chemicals?  Not sure, but I don't like it. As we move through southern Illinois we see a version of the Bible Belt here, churches and signs for Christ on every corner.

I think we are all beginning to feel like we are ready to be home. Shorter tempers, Ruby crying for Idaho for the first time two nights ago. The kids sink into the iPad as soon as it is charged.  We are 'headed for the barn' in this case Colorado. It is in our sights yet hours away. Stopping to eat takes too much time and when we do we are invariably disappointed in Yelp's ratings. I am too stubborn to join and give places a poor rating because of the politics--ALEC in particular. Look it up. Koch brothers suck.

While Reese sleeps (Tangled is not his thing) we cross the Mississippi again into St Louis, the Arch presiding proudly, the new bridge beautiful. We didn't stop, keeping our eye on the swimming prize, but saw a lot of beautiful old brick buildings in states of disrepair and abandonment. We arrived in time for dinner and a swim--at least the kids and Rich. Warm ponds give me the creeps. The best part was the shower, although it was cold. The state park had an ORV race this weekend and fortunately no one was racing around after eight pm. We bailed out early after a noisy evening of crickets, frogs and whatever holds concert most of the night and hit the road.

After stopping in Kansas City for another terrible lunch (thanks for nothing, Yelp!) and a visit to the Steamboat Arabia we headed out again. The steamboat is fascinating as it went aground in the Missouri River in the mid 1800s. Since then the Missouri rerouted itself and someone found it in a cornfield outside of KC. It was unearthed and large fortune of goods was found. It's side wheel paddle is open for display and the rest you can view through a museum. Both the kids were enthralled.

So, who has been wondering about the state of the van and the air conditioning?  The engine still cuts outs under load at high speeds, for which we are seeing some folks in Colorado. It is similar to the feeling of having a clogged fuel line.  It has started to stall after driving for awhile when slowing to stop as if the idle is set too low. Nothing that has proven dangerous. The air conditioning?  It is fading. The air is not as cold as it was, but cooler than outside. As I type I am warm, sticky in places and I feel a sheen on my upper lip. The back of my head is cool, the kids aren't complaining, and it is hotter as we drive west. Guess time will tell. I don't see any changes until getting back to Boise.

Through the Heartland

July 31  Headed to Indiana after leaving Athens and friends behind. We nearly stopped at Big Muskie Bucket on the way there, but we were too close and it was to much out of the way.  Big Muskie Bucket was used with drag lines and the entire OSU (that's Ohio, people, not Oklahoma) marching band could fit in it.  We noticed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and southwestern Ohio there was a propensity of adult stores. Like, superstores. Don't miss this exit!  It was kinda wild. One had a billboard at the property line condemning pornography and those that engage in such nefarious activity "in the name of Jesus Christ."

Athens was lovely. A table of ten folks, some I knew well, some I knew a bit and a few I just met greeted me at Casa Nueva. It is an excellent worker owned Mexican type restaurant I ate many meals nearly thirty years ago.

We spent most of out time with our dear friend Tom out at his "shack" eleven miles out of town. He owns 16 wooded acres that he taps for maple syrup. It was Reese's favorite place to be, where he could admire the tractor, catch fireflies and play with the camp fire.  We walked around town and campus, memories popping up like crocuses in the spring. I didn't know I wanted to revisit my first dorm and the walk up the bridge to town but Rich suggested we walk around campus and I was grateful he did. The kids weren't too happy about it all so to make life more manageable we grabbed Carol, Tom's wife and headed back out to the country.

Tom and Carol were awesome with the kids, as only childless people can be.  Tom showed them fossils he had collected although Reese was more fascinated with the arrowhead collection Tom couldn't find. Carol held Ruby and played with both of them. The kids weren't feeling Athens. All adults, all the time. Like I said, Tom's place saved our sanity.

The town hadn't changed all that much. I was struck by what was still there twenty-five years later. That isn't to say the town hadn't grown or downtown businesses hadn't changed. It has, but much was still the same. The weather wasn't nearly as bad as I remembered either. I remember taking three cold showers in one day because it was so hot and humid. It was pleasant, and minimal bugs!  We got to watch a thunderstorm come in turning the skies purpley gray. The thickly treed hills seemed to roll forever, obscuring cell signal making us feel more isolated than we were.    Driving through the hills reminded me of our Saturday morning bike rides, pre-mountain biking. Twenty to forty mile rides with two to eight of us rolling around the hills, fighting off dogs on lonely roads. Lovely memories, lovely visit.

Through the Woods and Over the Rivers

July 29. A damp night was spent at Cook Forest State Park, home of the largest old growth forest east of the Mississippi. The kids pedaled off to the play ground on arrival as I cooked up a gourmet dinner of grilled cheese and carrot sticks.

We managed to get the pop top up on the van, with two of us pushing and grunting. At our stay in Utica Rich found another storage box for the top of the van and collected the last of his belongings out of the family home. The pop top is super heavy and it is a struggle to raise the roof now. We are considering staying in hotels from here on out to prevent personal or property injury.

We camped near a couple with an '86 Westfalia Camper. Their van was in mint condition, and we traded stories as Gretchen served up some cornbread cooked on their open fire. The kids didn't want to leave. It was great to be a unit again, without cousins and extended family, horsing around and reading the kids to sleep.

We found the trail of the ancient forest without a map and with personal guidance from one of the state parks maintenance guys. While Rich and I marveled at the canopy of Eastern White Pine and Hemlock the kids took delight in finding toadstools of various shapes, colors and sizes. Do we not have toadstools in Idaho?  We took more back highways winding our way through the hills into Pittsburgh for an impromptu and all to brief lunch with two of my best friends from college--and earlier. Rich listened to Karen's dad tell stories while the women exchanged surface information. Mary's 11 year old, Jorja, and the kids paid more attention to us curtailing any hope of intimate conversation. We promised to keep better touch and exchanged big hugs and headed through downtown Pittsburgh, across the Allegheny and Monogahela rivers on yellow bridges before turning southwest to Athens, Ohio and my alma mater, Ohio University.

Watch out, Midwest, Here We Come!

July 28. Headed west into rain. The wipers battle it out with a rapid staccato  beat. We attempt to avoid the big trucks as limited visibility gets worse. The kids sleep in the back seat after staying up until midnight celebrating their last hurrah. We are tuned into Syracuse University's NPR station. I got a few things downloaded our last stop, but nothing for the adults. Our sanity rests on the happiness of our children.

Hours later and miles down the road it continues to rain, so much so that not only do we NOT use the AC that Rich fixed once the leak was found (YAY RICH!!!) but we now have the heat on!!!!  We drive through New York villages where we witness people pumping out their basements with large barrel hoses, streets closed due to flooding, even driving through an eighteen inch deep parking lot lake. Relentless, this rain, and not something we westerners are accustomed to. So far still on track for camping, although doubt is starting to creep into my mind.

Off of the interstate we travel back highways through farmland and villages of considerable age. Beautiful brick buildings line downtowns hosting large glass storefronts. Beautiful restored homes hold court over main thoroughfares. Corn in various stages of growth have accompanied us since leaving Utica this morning. As we passed through Mt Morris this afternoon Rich spied a sign marking the house where John Wesley Powell, explorer of the Grand Canyon, was born. The history we encounter here seems much older, exotic, even important than the West.

Westward Ho!

July 26th. We have visited the eastern most point of our trip, Provincetown and are now taking a westward course back toward home. The routines of the Cape are behind us; evening showers and nightly ice cream runs. We collectively finished a thousand piece puzzle and and ate as many of the left overs as we could. The last night we bounced on trampolines and raced Go-Karts before having our last visit to Sundae School, local ice cream.

We woke earlier than usual this morning than to race off of the Cape before traffic comes to a standstill, bottle necked at Sagamore or Bourne bridges A canal separates Cape Cod from Massachusetts and Rhode Island physically marking the end of vacation. The kids woke, stumbling out of their bedroom blinking like baby owls to be poured into car seats. Ruby is asleep again after a breakfast snack of Z bars. I still want more coffee.

I look forward to movement and momentum, having destinations and having a goal.  We are going to the Berkshires tonight, spending the afternoon and evening with Dan and Randy before stopping again in New Hartford. While I am not anxious to get home I am looking forward to traveling. It is difficult to believe the long anticipated trip is more than half over. That Yellowstone was a mere three weeks ago. Traveling as we are stretches time as when we are children, putting the moment first, thinking as far as the next meal. Ruby can see as far as visiting Gramma in Colorado. Reese looks to Hill AFB museum in Ogden, Utah.  In the meantime we play music and podcasts, watch the world go by and continue to create our adventure

Cape Cod

July 19. On the Cape.  Massachusetts has proven to have the worst drivers, it is not confined to Boston. Dunkin Donuts regular coffee is with cream and sugar, not black.  I found out the hard way, with Rich returning his coffee. Who knew?
 
July 21. Sitting on the beach, bundled in sweatshirts and under towels, we marvel at the fortitude of children. They race and jump in the 60 degree water screaming in either delight or chill. The beach hasn't been crowded, due to overcast, chilly, even rainy weather the past three days. Still, we make the pilgrimage to the beach daily. We can hear the surf from our rented 'camp' for it certainly doesn't qualify as a cottage or home. Not in the Cape Cod sense. It lacks the weathered grey shingles, blue shutters and white trim.  Nor does it have hydrangeas lining the yard. Hydrangeas of all colors, red magenta to pinks and deep purple, blues as deep as the sea and pale as the sky. Certainly it is someone's home, but in terms of updating for rental appeal, it makes no apologies. It is a seventies original; the stove and dishwasher, the robin's egg blue formica counter and the wood paneling are a testament to its origin. Even much of the furniture speaks of its nascence. The bathrooms and white washed paneling speak of an attempt to update it. It works fine for us, despite the interminable musty, fecund smell that accompanies most older beach homes. We love the surf echoing in our windows lulling us to sleep, and we loathe the noisy dehumidifier that cycles outside of our window.

The best part, of course, is family. Three of Rich's siblings are here, and five of Reese and Ruby's cousins. Reese and Danny are seven years apart and allied by their gender, being the only two boys.

The kids all generally get along, and on the beach if they aren't swimming/boogie boarding they are digging holes, making sand animals or sitting with us watching for seals and sea lions. The sea lions frequent Nauset Beach, spying on swimmers as they parallel the surf. They seem quite cute and curious from afar.

We wind up the day at the McMansion rental in a neighborhood not far from us. It is a large house where everyone else is staying.  We take turns making dinner, the kid's movie trying to out blare our Pandora. It turns into a bunch of yelling at the table, with the movie on one side and the music on the other before an adult breaks the stalemate.

There is the usual sibling bantering but without serious zingers. Three adults are from New York City, two from upstate New York and us westerners. Once again commonality prevails and I, for one feel so fortunate to have such people be my family. Especially for my children. I feel blessed.

Hitting the Beach Tomorrow!!

July 18.
Back in the van headed to the Cape, the kids asleep before hitting the interstate. It is comforting to be back in the familiar, Rich by my side. His family are wonderful hosts, and it was easy to fall into their routine without being too disruptive. The kids were up way too late every night, getting up to early. There was a definite break in parenting with children running amuck, watching as much TV as they wanted, playing capture the flag and catching fireflies until 11pm.   Reese went to the ravine with two of his older cousins and caught salamanders, crayfish and a frog.  Stuff memories are made of, one can only hope.

Despite all the nay-saying, the van is once again running with AC. The shop tracked down the leak and Rich fixed it. We'll see how long it lasts this time.  And no more brake squeaking!!!  Not sure what caused all that noise but it is gone and we no longer feel like the crazy people in the half broken down van rolling into town.

We have yet to figure out our Eastbound route, only that we will come back through Utica to pick up a few random items some of which Rich scavenged from his childhood home. He also bought a used PackaSport, a rooftop carrier. More storage, just what we need!  We will also be able to see one more niece. It is so tough to leave family!

Barreling down I-90 in New York we have noticed signs stating 'It Can Wait' and a mile down the road a pullout. It is for texting!  How brilliant!  Leaving Idaho we are reminded how backwards our state can be---no bottle bill (cans and plastic bottles here) and texting pullouts, where it is illegal to text and drive. C'mon Idaho, let's join the 21st century!  Hitting the beach tomorrow!!!

Family everywhere We Go

July 15. At home in New Hartford, surrounded by yet more family. Everyone who is home finally gathered at 9pm for dinner after work, lacrosse, and other responsibilities. Paul and Regina did not disappoint with delicious home made dinner and lots of laughs. Pete and Ellen came over with three of their kids who are home for the summer. Of the other three two are working and one is at a camp. I think I am busy until I witness the New York Rayhills picking up and dropping off their five or six kids at various activities. Serious planning!

Today has been at a nice, slow pace. Ruby has been running around in an Elsa dress, two of her cousins fighting over her attention. Reese has caught up on his movie watching, being deprived as he is. He watched 'How to Train Your Dragon' which made him very happy. Rich took the van in, 'don't count on it' he was told on both accounts, the AC and the brakes. They have been making a terrible noise our entire trip.  Me? I wondered today why I bothered to decant lotion Into a smaller container for the trip. I mean, I didn't use it camping because it feels like a dirt trap and then I hit humidity and don't use it because it makes you more sweaty!  So much for planning!

We are at the pool now, kids doing laps on the diving board. Eight cousins. Life is grand!

On to the Rayhill's!

July 14. On the road again, new creaks and rattles noticed after a couple of days away from driving. Rich plans to look at some stuff on the van while in Utica. We are headed to Rich's childhood home for a few days before heading to the Cape. We got off to a semi early start after a full day yesterday. Despite gloomy weather we managed to swim, fish, visit and swim some more. Reese found a new friend in a cousin. Tommy is eight, my cousin Tim's eldest. They caught crickets and spent lots of time jumping off the boathouse. He went with Tim and his family after playing with Tommy for an hour without looking back. They tubed and swam for hours. Stacey and Gillian showed up with baby Charley and the little girls went crazy saying 'I want to hold it!' which made us all laugh. Charley, as all nine month olds, ate up the attention. The adults marveled at where we are in our lives, and what we had done as youngsters. Adam, another of my cousins, (uncle Adam to the kids) helped end the day on high note with fish catching at the Marina. It is truly a kid's paradise up in the Muskoka Lakes. Not bad for adults either. We head south toward a stop at Niagara Falls before barreling across New York to the Rayhill side of the family. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful, kind, fun generous family!!! My heart is full!!

Stuck in Buffalo traffic after a stop for gas, it is 5pm and both kids are passed out in the back seat. We are anxious to put the last couple of hours behind us and be at Paul and Regina's place. We'll be staying with Rich's brother and sister in law for few days before we all pack up for Cape Cod. Peter, another of Rich's brothers, and his family live down the road so we get a lot of bang for our buck when we visit. We barely made it through the border again. The kind looking gentleman admonished me about crossing the border without a passport, as if I had done it purposefully. They can look up the electronic version which I found interesting. Niagara Falls is as you would expect. Lots of people, lots of gulls, lots of water. We went down to the falls in yellow ponchos and disposable shoes to get whipped into a wet waterfall frenzy before jumping back in the car. Ruby even liked it even though she was convinced she didn't want to go.