Sierra Weekend

If you received this update via e-mail, please note there ARE associated photos available only on the actual blog. Visit site to see the latest.



We've recently experienced a whirlwind of California travel. In a matter of two weeks, we've headed south to the Happiest Place, north to The Beach, and now east to The Sierra. The girls and I loaded up the Jeep, then joined Grandpa for a ride up a great trail to some beautiful meadows, lakes and forest.

After some setbacks, not the least of which was an intriguing rip in Grandpa's trailer hitch, we picked up our friend Brian, then made camp near a meadow where the wildflowers were poppin'! We roughed it up Thompson Hill where my Jeep performed flawlessly, E served as my spotter, and both girls were incredibly patient.

The weekend wouldn't have been complete without some High Sierra fishing! V was first to put her line in the water, and that first cast turned up a fish! We were all pretty excited, but none happier than she was! I forgot to pack E's fishing pole because she doesn't talk about fishing much...in the rush it completely slipped my mind! So, she took over my fly fishing gear. Honestly, I thought she'd cast a few times and be done with it. Instead, she took right to it and also caught countless fish. (We practiced catch-and-release except for three fish we ate for dinner that night.)

The trip out would have been uneventful. We managed to make it over all the tough spots, but Grandpa's trailer took a bad bounce on a relatively flat spot and flipped over. Fortunately, he's thought ahead and had a hitch made for just this type of disaster. The trailer flipped, the hitch spun and the Jeep was fine. I turned my Jeep around to provide access to my winch, and Brian and Grandpa put everything in order in no time.

We're home for a few weeks. Cleaning up. Resting. Bouncing on the trampoline. Give us a ring!

Share this post with:

Stinson Beach - it's beachin'

If you received this update via e-mail, please note there ARE associated photos available only on the actual blog. Visit site to see the latest.

After Grandma's Big Surprise, we caravanned north to Stinson Beach to visit the northern contingent. We enjoyed a hike to Table Rock, then a full day on the beach, a day relaxing at the house, Fourth of July festivities, the Willow Camp-Coast Trail-Matt Davis Trail loop (WHEW!), and good company.



On our way home, we stopped in to the Exploratorium in San Francisco. It'd been awhile since our last visit. As usual, we stayed longer than I'd expected and STILL didn't see it all. The Exploratorium continues to expand its displays. It's better than ever, even during these busy summer months when crowds could detract there's PLENTY of room here for the masses.


Share this post with:

Birthday Surprise for Grandma

If you received this update via e-mail, please note there ARE associated photos available only on the actual blog. Visit site to see the latest.

I know. We've been MISSING! I haven't blogged about every last detail of our lives lately. I've offered no homeschooling advice, thoughts on parenthood or even 'pit hair. Like everyone else, however, I have some perfectly good excuses! I'll leave out the boring ones and offer this update instead. :)

After some scheming with secretive family and friends, the girls and I and Grandpa Doug managed to surprise GrandMom for her 60th birthday! Well, she actually WASn't surprised that we showed up in Anaheim at 8 a.m. on her birthday to join her in Disneyland - she was expecting us even though WE didn't know she was expecting us! We enjoyed a lovely day in the park catching all of Grandma's and the Girls' favorites before heading out for an evening surprise that REALLY got her.

Yep, Grandma was exhausted after a day in the park, the crowds, the heat (not to mention the countless hours spent in the office in days leading UP to the Big Day so she could ENJOY the day off). But we had late dinner plans for her that juggled everyone's scheduling needs, not the least of which was Grandpa Doug's mandatory rehearsal schedule.

At 7:55 p.m. as we pulled in to the parking lot at our intended destination, Grandma said, "What time does Doug get out of rehearsal?"

"9:30," I said. "He'll be here right afterward."

"I don't think we'll make it that long. We may have to call him from the hotel room."

I nodded, then found a parking spot.

As we reached the restaurant, Grandma spotted a table for six on the patio. That would do nicely, she thought. It was super close to the entrance, just right for her aching feet, and outside, just right for enjoying the pleasant evening.

"Why don't we sit here," she asked, looking no further than the closest possible chair.

She was so tired she didn't spot the familiar faces in the group at the neighboring table - more than 20 of her friends and family members lying in wait!

"I don't know, Mom. Why don't we sit...HERE," I said with my sweeping arm indicating the group table.

The looks on her face were priceless. (See slide show for the best.) First, exhausted consideration. Then, pure confusion. Finally, ecstatic approval of the guest list.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, some from across the state, some from just across town, all much appreciated!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GrandMom! :)


Share this post with:

Backwoods Sweet Georgia Brown

If you received this update via e-mail, please note there IS AN associated video available only on the actual blog. Visit site to see the latest.

It's true. I've been out of touch. But if you hang in there, I'll fill you in. Meanwhile, here's a little something we found out back....




Share this post with:

Free (and inexpensive) Camping

If you've followed this blog for long, you know we really enjoy camping. We camp on all our long road trips, camp with friends and family or alone, in sunny weather or rain. I prefer to camp away from city noises, and free or really inexpensive camping is ideal for me, but none of us are afraid of a pit toilet. Thirty bucks a night might not seem like a lot to camp, but when you're camping for an entire month...or more it sure adds up. ($900/month to camp at $30 per night...ummm...it's gonna have to be some REALLY nice camping at that rate!)

I'm often asked where I found out about the inexpensive or even free camping spots along our last Big Adventure - the 9,611-mile (but who was counting) trip. I found a lot of them through local folks I talked to (or e-talked to) before we headed out and along our travels. I found some online while researching for the trip. And finally, I carried with us this guide:



When we found ourselves not quite meeting our time lines for the planned camping spot, I'd open the book to the appropriate state's map page, find the camp closest to us, read the description and make decisions from there. We had some GREAT finds thanks to this book, which features campgrounds that charge no more than $12 per night. Most of the free camps are far out off the beaten path. On the Central Coast, the listings are slim. But in Kansas, for instance, we camped at some fantastic lakes that provided free campgrounds complete with restrooms. In South Dakota, we found a city park campground that charged $7/night for a spot with flush toilets and hot-water showers included. Add another buck a night and you've got electrical hookups...such a deal! Note: This is the WESTERN edition, so if you're planning to head EAST of Kansas, it won't be of much use to you. (I was disappointed Missouri wasn't included...an odd division of the country.)

Happy Trails!

Share this post with: