alleymon I wrote up our summer vacation, mostly for our own memories. I knew my Mom would want it and thought a few of you might enjoy reading it as well. It is very long, so you are warned. I won’t be offended if you simply delete it. J We did have a wonderful vacation. Kevin is at high school camp this week. The kids and I will go to San Diego tomorrow. Love you all, Sara
Our summer vacation 2005
Friday, July 8 – Kevin and I awoke around 4am and had the kids in the car by 5am. We’re on the road! Made good time to Bishop arriving before noon. We visited the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic site and ate our picnic lunch there. It was interesting and the kids moved quickly from building to building. It was quite hot. Kids enjoyed climbing on the engine and getting to ring the bell. There were few visitors, so the volunteers let the kids into the barn to get on the “Death Valley Car.” They hope to have this one ready for train rides in the future. Kevin fixed the van as the muffler had come loose while we ate lunch. We were glad to be back on the road and into air conditioning.
We drove for another hour or so before detouring to Devil’s Postpile National Monument. It was a beautiful drive, but once we arrived, we realized it was a 2+ hour bus ride to the waterfalls, etc. So… we drove up to the observation point and took a short hike there. It was just our speed and David, Elizabeth and Mom had fun playing in the snow and throwing snowballs. A beautiful view of the mountains and waterfall from afar.
Then it was back in the van and on to Reno, NV. We especially enjoyed the scenery as we drove near Mono Lake. Followed a river for quite some time and Elizabeth was enthralled with the water wanting to know what made it white. (It was very rocky and fairly shallow)
We arrived in Reno around 7:30 and checking into the Reno Hilton. We had promised the kids a swim in the pool and got all the way down there about 8:15pm, only to find it closed! The kids were troopers, though.
Saturday, July 9 – We headed out after a breakfast of cereal & milk in our hotel room. Drove to Virginia City (less than an hour) to ride the Steam Train. David noticed right away “that’s not a steam engine!” Turns out the steam engine was in for repairs, so they were running a diesel. But, we still had fun. It was about an hour round trip between Virginia City and Goldhill. Where the Comestock Lode was found. Much of the gold here helped finance the North in the Civil War. Was quite fascinating with lots of old mines to see. Was a very advanced town in it’s day.
We ate lunch and then returned to the hotel for a swim. It was windy and cold! The kids would have stayed in forever anyway. After swimming we went to the Fleischmann Planetarium at the University of Nevada, Reno. It wasn’t as good as advertised. A small exhibit room. Kids were singing the planets in order as we looked at the model. We watched a movie called Straight Up which was not the one we thought would be showing. It was mostly about helicopters. The gentleman in front of us thought our kids were too loud as they kept asking questions. But, both girls fell asleep soon after, so were fine for the rest of the movie. We had a bit of time to kill, and the girls were energized, so we walked/ran all over the university. We just finished the food in our cooler back at the hotel and got everyone ready for bed. Then watched The Emperor’s New Groove on television.
Sunday, July 10 – We slept in and headed out about 9am. Had our worship service in the car singing praise songs and talking about what they mean. It was a long day of driving, so we pretty much kept moving. Found a McDonalds with a playland in Winnemucca for lunch. Then on to Midvale. We arrived around 7:30pm and unloaded while the kids played. Mom and Dad, Steve, Georgia and Zoe were still in Emmett where they were sharing at an evening service. We sure were excited to see them when they arrived an hour or so later. The kids got acquainted with Zoe and then we put them all down and enjoyed talking upstairs.
Monday, July 11 – No driving today!! Enjoyed family. Kids played in the wading pool. That evening we put the kids to bed and then Steve & Georgia & Kevin & I went on a double date. Got something to drink at a juice place in Ontario, and then went to the 10pm movie, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” We had a lot of laughs and good time talking in the car and got home late, around 1am.
Tuesday, July 12 – No driving today, either. J Grandpa, Kevin, Sara, David, Hannah, Steve, Georgia & Zoe went fishing in their neighbors pond. Fish weren’t biting easily and it was hot. Steve & Georgia decided Zoe had had enough mud and germs, so went back home. Hannah checked out the other animals with Mommy and we were invited into Elsie’s house where Hannah played with her doll house. David and Grandpa and Daddy hung in with the fishing until the caught a few. (they were deeper in the pond) But all were too small to take home. We enjoyed our naps/quiet time. That evening, Lisa and Scott Mac Donald came for a visit and dinner. They were on their way through to Coeur d’ Alene. Was so good to see them and catch up.
Wednesday, July 13 – Waited for Tim to arrive in the early afternoon. After kids woke up from naps we drove to Emmett to see Great – Grandma and Grandpa Coats. We were surprised to find that much of the Coats clan was there. It was a delight to see Uncle Roy & Aunt Kay, Ron, Julie, Kai and Kierra and Robyn and Devon, Donovan, Brendon, & Ryan. We had brought dinner and the wading pool, so the kids had fun. David and Brendon Ellis had fun together with the squirt guns. We put the kids down and then had a game night with all the adults.
Thursday, July 14 – Wanted to make sure we did no driving today, either. Jenny and Isaac Besel came over for a couple of hours in the morning, so David and Isaac had fun playing together. Spent part of the day and evening packing, etc., for the trip to Oregon in the morning.
Friday, July 15 – Left around 9am for Washington. Stopped for lunch in Baker City at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Museum. We enjoyed touring that, but didn’t do much outside as it was hot. The kids enjoyed the wagons outside and we took lots of pictures. The day seemed like a very long drive. We caravanned with our van, Mom & Dad, and Tim’s cars. Zoe rode in the van with the girls and David rode in Grandma and Grandpa’s car. Tim got the revolving rider, first Steve, then Dad, then Kevin. We arrived at the camp near White Salmon around 5pm. The first order of business was to let the kids run and for Dad & Kevin to pitch our tent. A camper was provided for Steve & Georgia. The campground was great and the kids loved the big slide, sandbox, playhouse and swings. We enjoyed greeting our relatives as they arrived. Robinsons were in the pool when were arrived, and other trickled in. Had dinner with everyone and the kids played until dark. They went to bed tired and dirty, but very happy.
Saturday, July 16 – Our 11th Anniversary! Who’d have thought we’d be spending it in a tent? Our kids awoke before the rest of the camp was awake, so got on their shoes and socks and took them for a hike away from the camp. The Robinson girls were awake too, so they joined us. As we were hiking we heard other cousins awaking the camp. Enjoyed another day with family. A highlight for our kids was swimming in the afternoon. They fell apart when it was time to get out, but a nap with Daddy improved attitudes immensely. We enjoyed the family sharing time in the evening and Sara enjoyed time around the not-camp-fire with those who stayed up and at the camp.
Sunday, July 17 – Family worship service in the morning was a blessing. The 7 in full time ministry shared. People began heading home and we took the kids swimming. Packed up our stuff and were the last to leave. Went to Uncle Bob and Aunt Liz’s for much needed showers and baths. Also did 4 loads of laundry. Enjoyed our last night with Mom & Dad, Steve, Georgia and Zoe. Tim had left that morning. Also enjoyed the whole Long clan. Our kids have a great time with Robinsons and know them after having seen each other often as of late. Slept well in Long’s new triple-wide.
Monday, July 18 – Left in the late morning and headed to LaPine, OR. Decided to take a “Scenic Route” through Dechutes National Forest and Cascade Mountains. Was a nice drive, but ended up being a lot longer than expected. Got lost in Bend and drove around for quite some time before finding the right road. Were very thankful Aunt Liz had helped us pack a lunch as we were nowhere near a restaurant when it was time to eat. Arrived in LaPine at Don & Jeanette Smyth’s about dinnertime. Kids were ready to run, so played in the backyard. A highlight was their soccer dog. David kicked the ball over and over and their dog stopped it most of the time. She loves to play. Don taught Kevin and David how to play a game __________, and the adults stayed up later talking. We enjoyed catching up with them and seeing how they are doing since leaving Riverside.
Tuesday, July 19 – Headed out around 9am so we would have time to see Crater Lake. It was gorgeous and we worth stopping. We had bought sandwiches before leaving LaPine and enjoyed eating at the top. We drove in the North entrance and up to the Rim Village. The Sinnott Memorial gives a great view and we checked out the visitors center. We drove on around the lake and took a short hike on the Sun Notch Trail. The perfect length for us and great views of the lake. Daddy even tried to prove he could throw a rock all the way to the lake. We drove on to the highest overlook, Cloudcap before doubling back a ways and exiting the Southern Entrance. Drove on to our hotel in Redding (another Hilton – using our Hilton Honors points) and after checking in, went to the pool. Was SO hot there you wanted to swim, even at night. Kids burnt a lot of energy and we all had fun before hitting the hay.
Wednesday, July 20 – Headed out in the morning as Kevin wanted to try and get another side trip in to Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was worth the trip, though we wish we’d have had a lot more time to explore it. One of the few places that contain all 4 types of volcanoes. The main hike would have been too much for our kids. The drive was beautiful and the highlight for our kids was Summit Lake. We got out of the car as they just wanted to “touch the water” which of course became take our shoes off and wade in the water, which turned into catching tadpoles in the water. Mommy joined in the fun and we only got a couple of wet bottoms in the adventure and those dry off quickly when it is hot. The sulphur works were pretty interesting, though the kids declared them “smelly,” which they were. Mud pots, sulphur literally boiling in the ground, you could hear it. Talk about geothermal energy, it was pretty interesting.
Headed on to San Jose arriving near dinnertime. We were so glad to get to the Gouldings and the kids had a blast together.
Thursday, July 21 – Just enjoyed our day with the Gouldings. Tucker is a year older than David, Chloe a year or so older than Elizabeth, and Ellie and Hannah are 6 weeks apart. So.. they all had someone to play with and played SO nicely. (Chloe said “Mommy, how come every time we have a baby, Aunt Sara has a baby too. J They’re 4th is due any day.) We adults enjoyed that as we had lots of time to talk. Was great to catch up and see our dear friends. Other than a walking trip to the park, they enjoyed playing together at home.
Friday, July 22 – Today we were on a mission, getting home! Left Gouldings after breakfast and let the kids watch videos the whole way home. Stopped for one meal & kept rolling. Called ahead and our dear neighbor who was watching our home turned on our air con. We were sure glad as it was still pretty hot in the house, but had dropped many degrees. Temps have been near 100 a lot lately. We arrived home early evening, so had time to unpack, etc. and then put kids to bed. So good to be home.