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!