A break in the action - and just in time

The last couple of weeks have contained a sort of stillness that we hadn't yet experienced on the road.  We have spent the time imposing upon my dad and stepmom in sunny California.  By sunny, I mean oppressively hot by 1pm.  They are having an unseasonably hot Fall in in the valley as well as a drought. 

This was, we thought, our last obligation.  This would be the last time that we had to be somewhere at a certain time.  So we acted like it and became lumps for days at a time.  It was lovely.  The added benefit is that my stepmom is a fantastic cook.  Ethan has been sous chef for several meals, and my waistline reflects this culinary extravagance. On other days, we took day trips with the loan of a car.  I can not even describe the delight of driving a tiny vehicle that immediately responds to the driver after the bumping and swaying of a 33-foot motor home.  We even drove at speeds of 70 miles per hour!   Henry and I took a "date drive" down the coast to Monterey and Carmel.  If you ever get the chance to take the 17 mile drive, do it without hesitation.   It is some of the prettiest real estate in the country.

We also went on saw a dear friend of mine who generously welcomed my family to her home. And as a bonus, her husband is a ham radio guy!  I got a free demonstration. It's something I'll definitely be exploring when it's time to get the sailboat. 

We get a lot of questions about that, by the way. And the answer is, we are really enjoying what we're doing now.  So much so, in fact, that we have started to contemplate trading up.   We did some shopping for trailers that can be towed while we were in the area.  There are a couple of major advantages to this method of travel. First, we can detach the trailer which would mean no more stressful (borderline terrifying) drives up winding mountain roads in the gigantic RV.  Our pocketbook would be happy at the higher gas mileage, no doubt. And second, the kids would have a space of their own.  That would mean no more putting the beds away each morning and getting them out each night.  So! We have put the RV up for sale. I sort of can't believe we're doing it, and we'd be just fine if we end up not selling it. It's our home, after all. We'll see if we get a nibble or two.  With all of the work we've put into it, it's a steal at what we're asking.   A little piece of me just can't think about that too much or there will be weeping. Oh well, it's only money. And I'll take some solace from the fact that someone will get a lot of enjoyment from our labor.  So, I guess, if you know someone who's looking:

http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/1997-Coachmen-CATALINA-330MBS-119622900


A couple of other notables from this period.  We drove to San Francisco with the entire family to pick up a new addition to the Madison household.  She is the cutest little thing! 

I will say, though, that driving into San Francisco...on a Friday night...during rush hour is maybe not optimal. 

And finally, the reason for the obligation, the reason we had to be in California by mid-September, the Monterey Jazz Festival.  We got to see one of our favorites, Davina and the Vagabonds.  Check them out if you're a jazz and blues lover. They are fantastic. She knocked it out of the park, as usual. 

Now, the obligations are not ending like we thought they would. They are terrific to have, though. That's the difference in our lives between working and retirement.  People actually want to see us!  Go figure.  So we have dates to see friends and family through December! And there are more friends to add to our list.  I now think that this aspect will not change as long as there are people we know along our route.  Our current stop is the Travis Air Force Base, where Henry's niece is living with her family.  It's a mini city! I had no idea how big it would be. We went to the museum on base yesterday and my brain is still swimming.  I have decided that Erin should be an astronaut. 

So, while the "have to"s have definitely lessened, they have not completely ceased.  I think they lend us purpose, which turns out to be a pretty good thing. 

Routines and the lack thereof

Can it be that we have actually started to fall into a routine?  Granted, it's loose, but I think it might count as something of a schedule.  We get up late, comparatively.  We were up by 6am and off to school by 7:15am for an 8am start time back in the real world.  Now, we're lucky to drag ourselves out of bed by 8:30am.  Coffee. Always coffee. Then homework. We have been using Khan Academy for math, but we've discovered that it also covers a number of other subjects. There are great videos and explanations that are kid friendly. We are also using Science News magazine as a source for current events, and I'm teaching cursive.  Duolingo has our Spanish curriculum.  And of course, we take advantage of the local offerings.   The Lewis and Clark trail ends in Washington, so we were able to visit an absolutely top notch interpretive center.  Did you know that Lewis was a captain but Clark wasn't?  His commission just hadn't come through in time for the trip. But Lewis kept it a secret anyway. As far as the rest of the men knew, they were both captains.  I found that rather endearing. As the homeschooling thing revs up and solidifies, we are asking the kids to pursue a subject in which they are interested and then present their findings to the rest of us. 

We have lunch before noon.  I'm trying to limit my calorie intake, because I'm still cruise chubby.  Well, come ON! They feed you 7 times a day!  It couldn't be helped.  The afternoons then are comprised of bike rides or hikes or, as is the case today, a rafting experience. I have never been white water rafting, so I'm excited and a little scared.  Since I am not taking my camera with me on that adventure (because, water), here's a shot of our hike the other day near Cascade Locks, Oregon.  My overall take on Oregon so far is that it's even prettier than Washington State. Sure, Washington has the big mountains, but Oregon seems richer and lusher.

Every second or third day, we drive.  We've also started keeping track of chores for the kids and have implemented a points or "minutes" system for screen time.  Time can be added or taken away depending on behavior.  It's going shockingly well.  I'm impressed again by how much humans need structure. We crave it.  The kids are responding beautifully to the new guidelines.  Because of it, I now think this was such a great idea!  Of course, give me an hour and I may change my mind.

By evening, the togetherness usually gets to me.  I shouldn't be surprised at how much time I seem to need alone, but I am.  Quiet is bliss.  Bliss, I tell you!  I may need to invest in some sort of noise-cancelling earphones or earplugs.  I swear, my children are trying to rob me of any hearing I have left.  My days in radio and loud concerts took a toll before they were born, to be sure. But they find amusement in yelling directly into my ear, just to be sure that I am completely deaf in my senior years.  And don't get me started on Yahtzee, surely the LOUDEST game in the universe.  Don't believe me?  Play it with a 10- and 11-year old so intent on shaking the dice as loudly as possible that the outcome of the game is irrelevant.   I have sworn it off, along with breakfast. 

Internet is also still a problem. I feel like a junkie.  We're heading into California in a few days, and I'm looking forward to visiting my dad and his wife, my stepmom. I'd be lying if at least a smidgeon of my desire is a fast internet hookup.  I am itching for a fix! We have also been sending a number of packages ahead.  Getting mail is another complicated problem, so it's nice to have a "home base" for a couple of weeks.  These are things I naturally took for granted before this. 

So am I ready to go back and re-enter?  ...Nah.  If the right thing came up, we'd do it.  But we're a-ok with this choice for the moment, especially when we see our kids playing together on a beach. Ethan does a mean Jack Sparrow imitation. Life is good.