Canada Trip -- Day 10

Day 10 (Eden, Sadie, Ava, Willows Beach AGAIN!, sleepovers, 67 photos)

We were exhausted as we began our next stage of our visit.  We lazily began our week.   Miles began a puzzle in the library of the condo, Patrick, Caleb and Sarah took a swim.

Eden called to invite us for breakfast and we accepted!  Eden never under entertains!  We were over well-fed.

We left the afternoon plans up to Ava and she chose Willows Beach.  So we went, again!  It was just as fun the second time.  Eden had a yoga class to teach that evening so she left early but we stayed just a few more minutes... hours!!  We lost a hat.

Back at Grandmas for the night... worn out in a happy way... bellies filled again .. this time quesadillas.  Eden swung by and took three big kiddos to her place and we all crashed until the next morning.

From Point A to Point B

I haven't traveled with Caleb in some time, so I'm not sure why driving with your tongue out is photo worthy... but I am pleased that he takes photos of the journey.

Historic landmarks are nice but familiar ones are even better.

This cloud maker is the half way point of our trip from SLC to home.  I suppose it's another false story I have perpetuated to my children over the years.. but ...  I don't actually know nor do I really want to know what it is... because I like calling out... we've reached the cloud maker!  

And truly Wyoming has these incredibly HUGE blue skies... some lovely wispy white clouds add some lovely interest.

Other familiar landmarks are the 'big, big, big, big waters' (always sung)

The striped rocks... and one that I haven't mentioned to the kids because it likely wouldn't have any meaning to them... but there is a grove of somewhat dead trees surrounded by ... nothing... and it resembles a scene in the movie, 'Return to Snowy river'.  

I'll snap a pic on my next trip.

Of all the familiar landmarks, the ones along the last 3 miles are the loveliest.  They signify how close... a potty is!  How close rest is.   How close a hot meal is.  How close the end is.  How close 'home' is.

I loved hearing that the girls called out, "Hi Henry!" as they passed the stone house.

Hit the road Jack...

All good things must come to an end... 

but...

better things come with us!

First stop on the way home is restocking the pantry.

It took three carts. 

One for the little boys.

One for the cello.

And lastly, one for the food.

After a while the cart needs changed.

Elowen is stubborn and obnoxious.  (she may have been still recuperating from her illness and been truly fatigued but....)  She refused to play the cello while we pushed her through the store.  It was an enormous store... biggest Costco ever.  AND.. it's open at 7am!! That means we get an early start to our travels and that is most welcome!

The worry... of others... is always.. will it all fit.

I am an excellent Tetris player.

I also know the limits and abilities of my van.  I will miss it.

This wasn't even a big shopping trip.

With the van fully loaded we were off. 

We were hearing many tales of fun from the long, puffy haired Duncan of his Canada trip.

He spoke fondly of many frosties... so we stopped for a final one of the summer before we left civilization.  I knew what what they needed... I take them there.

Duncan instructed us in the correct way to order with out lids, spoons or carriers.

Less waste.

I carry special cutlery in the van so we were prepared!

Snacks were an integral part of our travels.

We witnessed the craziest sight when we fueled the van.  

This lady was dancing and carrying on while she pumped her gas.  Perhaps she's the sane one... enjoying life... we should all be so fortunate!

The welcoming committee was awaiting our Wyoming arrival!

Traveling woes

Living rurally has been delightful... especially when we have no place else to go.

However.  more often than we'd like.. we have some place else to go.

Generally.. just to town.. which is in itself a trek.

Periodically, we have to really go places.  Doctor appointments, real shopping, and airports are a few of the periodic destinations.

Of course we do our best to take full advantage of every needed excursion and cram as much into a few days on the road.

This last trip was no exception.  PLUS.. I now have a new calling that requires distance travel every other week during the spring to fall months.  So, I've done my best to coordinate the required travel with other needed periodic trips.  Even being as efficient as possible.. it's a lot of driving about.  Vehicles are the bane of our existence these days.  We have a high efficiency car that gets 40 miles to the gallon... but it only seats 5 and is in for repairs more than not.  The other vehicle we have only gets 20  mpg.. but it seats 8 and has cargo space and most importantly, heated seats... BUT.. it isn't able to traverse our dirt road in the winter... so as much as we love it and it's perfect in every other way... we're looking for a new car... Optimally.. 4wd, seat 6-8, HEATED seats!, and awesome mpg since I'm regularly on the road.

But I digress... we haven't found the utopian vehicle yet and we had to make one of our efficiently planned periodic trips.

• We had run out of almost everything in the kitchen... and toilet paper.  
• Whittaker had a Dr. appt. 
• Duncan was returning from a 5 week trip to Canada to see Grandma and cousins... and he had a grand time.
• Boys clothing was all shrinking.... 
• We were picking up delightful house guests!
• I had meetings in lesser known, distant parts of the region that were on the way to SLC.
• We had a box full of glass to recycle and there isn't glass recycling in our area of WY.
• We needed to visit people....  Winter is coming ... again... soon.

We left the house on a Sunday morning at 6am.  After 3 hours of driving the boys were very patient as they waited for 4 hours of meetings to end.  They were rewarded with a fun sack lunch and more driving.  I listened as they watched Milo and Otis for the third time that day.  

We enjoyed a visit with Uncle Jim, who was a wonderful host.. offering constant beverages and snack options.  

We were delighted by Sarah's tales of her recent trip to the Redwood forests in California with Uncle John.

Sarah kindly gave me a much needed haircut and in a surprise moment.. pulled Emerson's tooth!  Now he just needs two front teeth for Christmas.

We were off to Channa's next where the boys ate, again!  Channa shared tidbits from her recent spanish lessons that would be helpful for Miles and we tucked the boys in and ran a few errands.  

A late night and an early morning after a long day of driving and we were off to another long day of driving.  

We had an appointment an hour away and a few errands to run before our next destination in Manti.  Whittaker's mouth guard was cracked and he needed to be fit for a new one.  I thought since most of my errands were generic we could run them in the town where the doctor appointment was.  In theory.. yes. However....  

Most of the stops weren't open before our appointment. 

I'm not familiar with the area and had to look up every location.

The few that we did find that were small satellite versions of the stores we needed and did not have the items we were looking for. 

So running around for two hours before the appointment only availed us of an auto parts store and a car wash.

It was at least a fun car wash!

The boys loved watching the car be washed from the windows while they enjoyed the complimentary popcorn and juice and played with the toys in the children's corner. 

I enjoyed knowing that inches of Wyoming dust and mud wasn't weighing us down anymore.  Also that they vacuumed out the interior and washed the inside of the windows.  

The boys enjoyed many car games with so many more things to see than in our little town.

The odd, 'Beep, beep.. red jeep,' or 'slug bug', or 'bingo', or 'wide mouth frog/ tight-lipped' was called from the back seats... and then... 

it was as though Whittaker was exploding!  "beep. red. um beep , um jeep, um white, um green, um beep jeep... .... BEEP BEEP RAINBOW! JEEPS!.. 

I turned to look and there it was... 'Beep, Beep.. Jeep Dealership!'

Then we pulled into park at the doctor and ... 'Tight-lipped, bingo, slug bug.. new style!"

What an exciting morning!

With the doctor appointment over we ran our remaining errands that were now open and then ate and fueled the van so we could be off for the last bit of driving for a while.  

Two hours later we were in Manti.  We spent the rest of the evening... lazily sitting on porch swings, visiting, and taking a short walk to the park.  We think we even saw an owl fly over us .... it was fast and we weren't certain. 

We didn't have to go anywhere for 36 lovely hours.  

Meanwhile... Duncan's travel woes were just beginning!!

As we enjoyed a leisurely visit in sleepy little Manti, we were kept apprised of Duncan and Jill's lack of travel progress..

Eager beavers at the airport ready for a 6 hour trip to Utah.

After a small delay, they finally boarded and were excited for lift off.

After hours of further delays on what was finally determined to be a 'broken airplane', they even taxied out to the runway to attempt jumpstarting the plane but inevitably disembarked and stood in long waiting lines to re-book flights and find connecting flights and arrange for accommodations since they wouldn't be leaving until the next day.

On a search for some nut free sustenance after a long, long, day of delays and sitting around the airport. 

Finding beauty in the craziness.

After being fed!

A quick sleep since they now had to be up at 3am to catch the new flight.

Next day attempt at travel! 

New game discovered during lengthy layovers!

(what is the connection of the 4 photos?)

Finally... over 24 hours later they made it to Utah.  Tired, achy and hot.

So we went straight to shopping...  then spent time running around in SLC, taking Elowen to Cello lessons, dropping off Jill and running quick errands before being accommodated for the night so we could travel some more the next morning!

Efficiency in travel at its finest!

A trip down South

A picture says a thousand words..

(So obviously more pictures in the blog is best!)

I've been told that if there aren't any photos to tell the story then it never really happened..

(I won't get all historical and logical on that since that would mean before photography nothing ever occurred...)

We have recently moved and found enjoyment in simpler times... including enjoying the moments of our lives completely.  Perhaps what I'm trying to say is... we took a trip to visit family and friends and it really did happen.. We just were so caught up in the enjoyment that we didn't snap any photos.  So before there were photos there were lovingly hand drawn pictures.  We've decided to try our hand at capturing memories the old fashioned way!

Oh.  except this one and only photo that I took of the boys from Sunday morning.  We stayed with some friends who had this great old pinball machine in their basement.  The boys were entertained for literally hours!  They are the ones who handed me the camera and said take a picture so we can remember.  

(They should perhaps be in charge of all photography in the future!)

Other memorable (in my opinion.. even more memorable) events that took place. 

The little boys and Duncan spent the first night having a sleepover with Caleb.  Caleb's new truck was exciting enough to want to go for more driving... after being in the car all day.
 

Duncan even joined him on a trip to the DMV to register the truck. 

Errands..  all the shopping that is unavailable in our little town. Groceries.. clothes... books..

We combined having lunch with a great visit with Uncle Jim and Lorrie.  We ate lots of Greek food and laughed and chatted.  It was delightful to catch up on all the news of family. Must visit more in future trips to Utah.  The dog.. Jackson was extremely excited for us to visit! 

We had two quick visits with Sarah.  Once on Saturday when we saw her new little car, met her friend C.J. and picked up her 'no longer wanted' items after she unpacked in her new place.  Then we met her again Monday as we headed out of town when we stopped for some cocoas for the road!

We made an extra little trip to Manti to see our friends in their new house.  Always too short a visit!  Always a fun time!!  Their house is in a state of remodeling and chaos... We felt right at home!!  The house is also .. a-Maze-ing.  hee hee.  We took a tour but still found ourselves turned around and lost!

The kiddos played games and games and more games in many different nooks and crannies of the house. (literally)

Canada Trip - Day 9

I discovered a neglected draft of a blog from 7 years ago... no time like the present to finish a series of posts!!  

Day 9 (Church, Beacon Hill Park, Downtown, Double Decker Bus, Dining; al fresco, 182 photos)

We attended church in the morning in the old first ward chapel.  (The wooden ceiling with the drop ceiling fans, the nationalities represented were in the teens, the talks were incredible, the more things were the same, the more they were different.)

After changing our clothes and grabbing our picnic for the day, we headed once again for Mount Tolmie. We had managed to not take any photographs the day before.  After our photo stop, we drove to Beacon Hill Park.  We were immediately greeted by the peacocks who were strutting their stuff!  Ellis got into the strutting business.  

The females may not have been impressed with the grand plumage, but we were!

We had chosen Beacon Hill for the day because of the Jazz concert in the park. 

Thankfully we had a picnic plan, because we were..... early ... for the concert.

And we had this adorable face to look at.

Whittaker found some reading material to wile away the time.

There were trees to look at. .. fascinating trees to look at...

Waiting... was... fun... 

Waiting was... exhausting.  

Some found a quiet place to rest.... and then they were joined... and joined again... and their quiet place to rest became a less than tranquil wrestling space.... but... 

The concert finally began.

We enjoyed our picnic with the strains of some great Jazz played live on the bandstand.  As much as we enjoyed it, the 15 of us needed to move along (the concert was 2 hours long).  We had already waited for it to start for some time.

 When we planned our down town day, we didn't realize it was, 'The Busker's International Festival', AND, the 'Deuce Days Downtown'.  Downtown Victoria was packed!  We walked from Beacon Hill to town and were overwhelmed by the crowds. 

Thanks to the events, we saw a lot of performers, antique cars and classic cars, display booths, smelled wonderful foods, observed a living statue. 

We also did NOT get to see much of the Empress hotel since it was closed for tours, NOT get to leisurely stroll along the inner harbour and enjoy the marine scene since it was crowded, noisy and hectic.  We did enjoy some bagpipes and meeting a totem carver who enthralled the boys for a long time with history and some totem carving information.

We DID ride the double decker bus!  It was worth the wait.  Fun to be up so high and see the kids enjoying the ride.  On our walk back to the van we made a human totem pole and followed a few more peacocks.

Dinner this evening was al fresco.  We had planned a simple meal for our last night which only required adding hot water.  SOOOO  we popped out the camp stove in the condo parking lot, and boiled our water, ate our dinner out of the packets and enjoyed a simple pleasure.

(Somewhere along our route this day, in the Schmidt vehicle they heard a bump sound.  Amber actually turned to the kids and said, "It sounded like someone fell out of the van!  Settle down."  In actuality it was a bag of all their swimming gear falling out of the unzipped car top carrier.  A casualty of the trip.)

We bid farewell to our friends for a week, since they were continuing on with their journey in the morning.  They were headed to Oregon for the next 4 days.  We would be remaining in Victoria.