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.

Real life sets in, and other challenges

I hope I've been careful not to allow my blog to sound like this is a vacation, one big fun fest.  Because it isn't.  Vacation was the week on a cruise ship and the week on the sailboat. Family was visiting, we were waited upon, and we experienced luxury.  Real life has begun to settle in a bit more now, and it comes with conflict and difficulty.  The lack of phone service and internet have become major problems rather than minor inconveniences.  The solution seems to be to hang out in or near towns at least some of the time.  We have a booster for the local WiFi options, but the internet connections in campgrounds have been notoriously iffy and very, very slow.  What do you need internet for, you might ask.  Well, a lot, as it turns out.  The kids have been using online tools like Khan Academy and Duolingo as well as the connectivity needed for their blogs.  Henry and I need it for - everything else.  We can't find new campgrounds without the internet.  We can't make reservations without phone service.  And anytime an issue comes up, we need to be able to get to the source. Such was the case with an insurance issue yesterday, an issue that (just like living in suburbia) took up our entire morning on the phone.

The kids seem tired of moving, which is not unexpected.  They have really enjoyed the non-driving days (as have I).  These are the days when we don't move, really, from the RV much at all and they are allowed to play and just BE.  We always do homework on these days, and I think we need more of them. But we still have a couple of not-so-distant obligations, fun though they are, and do actually need to be somewhere specific on a particular date.  Our next of these is a trip to see my dad and his wife in California, something to which I'm definitely looking forward. We've never seen their house, though we have visited them in CA before.  I'm looking forward to having a place to relax for a few days.  So, on we go!  The driving days at least have become routine.  There have been (knocking on wood as I type) no more mechanical issues.

Then, there are the kids. Is it because there has been so much stimulation and diversity?  Or is it that you see the same three people all day, every day.  Whatever the cause, I will admit to tiring of displays of tantrum and lack of gratitude.  The sassing when asked to do a simple task or whining when an activity like hiking is suggested are exhausting at this point. I find my temper growing shorter than I'd like. I'd love to be that dispassionate, matter-of-fact mom who just spells out consequences and then follows through with them when conflict arises.  I have a reserve of this, but it's tough when there's no buffer (like school).

Then...there is my spouse.  He has lately started expressing real and serious doubts about how long he wants to do this.  Is it going to be fun in another month?  Is the novelty wearing off? When will the "bad" outweigh the "good"?  Of course, I find such pondering stressful.  We have both given up a lot, sacrificed what we had worked for, to do this.  If one of us is disillusioned after the first couple of months, I'm not sure where we go from here.  His rumination is balanced by wonderment and delight when we do things we never would have gotten to do another way.  An example, kiting on the beautiful Crescent Beach in Washington State:

We also took a (very long) hike on the Dungeness Spit to a lighthouse. It was five and a half miles to the lighthouse...and 5 and and half miles back.  We never would have known such a thing existed without this adventure.  It was certainly memorable!  My knee may never forget.  And just this morning, while the tide was low, we walked out onto a heavily populated bit of land that you can't see at high tide.  There were anemone, tiny crabs, fish and all sorts of clams and mussels that simply vanish into the ocean when the water comes in. It was one of the most beautiful places I can imagine.

So, for me, it is still worth it. I still think we did the right thing.  The benefits still outweigh the risks and damages.   I would certainly keep going. But I would also give it up if the right opportunity presented itself.  I'm a pretty adaptable person. I fear stagnancy much more than I fear change. I am also savvy enough to know that any type of "re-entry" into society we'd attempt would have to be new.

I am aware that you can not go home again.  Everything will be different, because you yourself have changed.

Two Weeks of Crazy - Part Two

You know that feeling when you're so stressed out that you feel like your head might actually pop off of your body?  That's how I felt on Friday, July 29th as we transitioned from a week of ridiculous, over the top luxury to a 45 foot space...for six people.  After disembarking from Celebrity Solstice, we recovered our RV and drove to Bellingham, WA where we provisioned for the week, did laundry, and basically got our act together for the next big thing.  Why we did these two trips back to back is beyond me.  I suppose we thought we'd be in the area, so why not. But good grief, never again.

We chartered a 45 foot monohull with the idea that we needed a good test on one.  The idea was to see whether we could live on a monohull versus a catamaran. We had really only ever considered a cat before this.   The result was, in a word, no.  Nope. No way. No, no, no.   As it turns out, I hate heeling in a boat more than I remembered.   I love to sail in a cat. Everything stays level, more or less. In a monohull, I can tolerate up to a 25 degree heel and then I want to scream.  It might have helped if I had grown up on the water, but I didn't.  My first experience sailing was at Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes, MN.  On a catamaran.  We owned an 18 foot Hobie cat for 10 years and then spent that week on one last December.  Maybe if I'd only done the monohull thing first, I'd feel differently. But for me, now, there is no going back. 

Once I got over the terror of sailing it, we had a lovely time.  We got to see some absolutely beautiful places in the San Juan Islands and, as a bonus, got to be the first to try out the owner's new dinghy:

On our first day out, a pod of orcas went right past the boat!  So, already, I was feeling like the discomfort was worth it.  And a beautiful hike through the Roche Harbor sculpture garden helped as well:

Since I know that our eventual goal is to be on a sailboat, I feel like I should spent a bit more time explaining why, for me, the debate between monohull and catamaran is settled, once and for all.  I actually feel that I could get used to the boat tipping over every time the wind changes, but only if I'm on deck.  Being below and, heaven forbid, trying to cook while that's happening would make me seasick beyond words.  The rolling motion of the cat is very different.  You stay flat and hit the waves head on.  That's not always pleasant either, but at least I can retain my balance. 

Then there's the actual living space.  Even my 10 and 11 year old children said the berths were too much like coffins.  Everyone was banging their heads on various parts of the boat all week long.  Going down below for everything became not just irritating but separated all of us constantly.  Once we were all down there and eating supper, for example, it was fine. But the transitions were very tricky.  My mom actually had a mini breakdown at the beginning of the week.  We both had to have an attitude adjustment in the form of margaritas before we could continue. In short, I will never willingly do that again.   Even the RV is more pleasant, because at least you can pass each other without sidestepping and there's plenty of headroom.  Okay, rant over.  It really was a beautiful week, and I'm grateful for the chance to see the beautiful waters of San Juan Islands.

And I was left with this: Saturday, we said goodbye to my mom and to my stepson.  We likely will not see them again until Christmas.  That's a hard thing when you're used to having these people a short drive away.  Thank goodness for the internet.

Two Weeks of Crazy - Part One

I'm not kidding, the last two weeks were just nuts. This was the scene at the start of the madness:

The Alaskan cruise departing from Seattle followed almost a year of planning, driving, flying and coordinating.  The night before, my mom and stepson had arrived at the campground at which we were staying.  We slept, badly in my case, got up on the 22nd and drove the 33 foot RV through the narrow streets of Seattle.  It's not for the feint of heart.  I hope to never repeat that experience.  The only cities I'd guess could be worse are Washington, DC, New York City and San Francisco. 

The cruise was, as imagined, amazing.  Every aspect, from the size of the ship to the size of the glaciers, was overwhelming. I'm sure I'll be processing each memory over and over for the next decade. After a first day at sea, we caught our first glimpse of Alaska in Ketchikan:

 A more charming view, I simply can't imagine. The entire town is just, plain "cute".  We had excursions planned, and they exceeded expectations.  One of the highlights for me was spotting an eagle nest with a couple of hatchlings in it.  They were just starting to leave the nest.  As we watched, mom came back and chewed them out.  Not so different from humans, I suspect. 

Mom: "I said, get back in there!  You do not have permission to be out here!"
Kids: "But we're hungreeeeee!"
Mom: "I said now, and I mean it."
Kids: "But mooooom!"

This went on for a couple of minutes before mom flew off in disgust, probably to find more fish, poor woman.

The next day was Juneau, also amazing.  Then, it was time to see a glacier.  Yes, the glaciers are rapidly receding and that alone was pretty scary.  But faced with one, it does not seem possible that there could be more ice.  It simply took my breath away.  Our captain was delightful and did a "donut" in front of this monster so that everyone on board could get a good look:

After Skagway, we headed back down south to Victoria and the Butchart Gardens.  "Spectacular" could cover it, but I'll add "sweat" to that description.  The maintenance and upkeep simply defies explanation. 

So, would we go on a cruise again?  Definitely.  My advice for anyone wanting to do it would be to just get the best package you can afford, right off the bat.  It's nice not to have to think about what drinks you can or can not order.  We went through a fantastic travel agent, and would not do it again without her help. 

We saw humpback whales bubble feeding, a baby bear and a beautiful national forest.  We ate, ate and then ate some more. I spent quality time with my kids, my husband, my stepson, and my mom.   And we ended the week dizzy from the experience. 

But it was only to continue the following week with a charter sailing experience. See the next installment for that!

Custer, Glacier and Flathead, OH MY!

Custer first.  Was he basically the first American Rock Star?  When he died, they said the "flower of the army" had been killed.  How charismatic must he have been to be a celebrity without Entertainment Tonight or Facebook?  My overall impression of the Battle of Little Big Horn is that it was so wasteful.  The US Government should not have been there at all.  Breaking a treaty after less than a decade should be the story, right?  Yet, in many history books, it's the ambush and the spectacular battle that takes center stage.  Oh well.  At least my kids know the real story now, and what a lesson it was.  If the chance arises to visit, do.  The bus tour, the talk by a ranger, all of it. It's impressive and moving.

Next was the Beartooth Mountains. Yes, it really does look like this.

Beartooth was an unexpected trip.  We had to stop for repairs (go figure) in Billings.  Man, what a difference an excellent mechanic makes. I was tempted to invite the guys at Top Tech along on our trip.  While we did have to hang out for three days, they gave us a car to use and lots of advice on what to see. We would never have gone to chipmunk paradise without their recommendation.  It was absolutely crazy.  Several, nay dozens, of fat little chipmunks swarm the humans at a vista pullover. We were forewarned: Bring sunflower seeds or be bereft.  Better advice, my daughter has never received.  She would have stayed there all day as the fat little beggars took the seeds straight from her hand.  These are not wild chipmunks any longer. We have spoilt them silly.  Their little cheeks were so full that they would vanish into holes, undoubtedly to spit some out, before running back for more.

The repairs done(ish), we moved on to Glacier National Park.  It's such a cliche, but around every curve was another breathtaking view.  If you're into scenery, this is your heaven.

It's just one spectacular view after another.  We attempted the shuttle to the top, but it was overcast and 40 degrees.  Yeah, not so much.  Back down the mountain we went.  And now we're at Flathead Lake.  I wish the beauty were easy to describe, but of course it isn't.  I don't have enough adjectives.  We will be in this adorable campground (Rollins, by the way - I highly recommend it) until Saturday when it's on to Idaho.  We have to cut Banff out of our journey this summer due to the time constraints.  We are Seattle-bound, after all. I don't have the slightest idea how it will feel after that, to have no further deadlines on our schedule.  I can't even grasp it.

So - are we adventuring now?  I think so, yes.   The kids are fighting.  I am using my Instant Pot, but we're still eating out more than we'd like.  We are homeschooling, more effectively when we have internet access.  And we are starting to see some really beautiful things.  We have made an appointment in Bellingham, WA for the RV, poor old thing.  I don't believe the previous owners did a thing toward maintaining her.  So she's getting the works with us.  Everywhere we stop, she gets a little TLC.  A new exhaust manifold in Shakopee. A new steering suspension in Alexandria.  New brake pads and axel in Billings.  And an air conditioning tune up in Bellingham.  Clever girl, choosing us as her new owners. 

Maintenance, Mustangs and Mud!

Well, we made it this far, but barely! The repairs on a 1998 RV are extensive and expensive!  Good thing we no longer have a house payment! hahaha  Yes, one must laugh or one would be loony tunes.  Both our house and one of the town homes we owned have officially closed.  We are no longer residents of Minnesota. We signed on with Good Sam RV Club and got a Florida address through them.  The mail forwarding service should work...I say should because for the last several weeks, I've been writing 7/ on all of the documents I've been filling out instead of 6/.  Why, you ask?  Because I'm numerically challenged, that's why.  Someone else had to tell me recently that I was 48 years old this year, not 49.  Hey, I'm really good at cooking pasta al dente, okay?  We all have our strengths.  So, anyway, our mail might have to be sorted by the new owners at Old Brick Yard Road for a few weeks.  

We're currently camping out in Medora, North Dakota at the southern edge of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The weeks of goodbyes to family and friends has come to an end, and now we're on our own. I really hope I like these people. Don't let this picture fool you.  This was a brief moment of happiness in a day filled with whining and crabbiness about so much walking and how hot it is! Ethan actually expressed a desire for winter.  I can not relate.

 As of tomorrow, we'll be in uncharted territory (for us).  Obviously, a bunch of people charted it before we got here, so this is pretty easy stuff.  Google tells us where to stop for new shock absorbers (we desperately need these - I'm losing fillings by the hour), and Roadtrippers points out all of the sites to see along the way.  Good Sam gets us the rest of the way.  It's a much smaller world than it used to be.  No one should hesitate to strike out.  The infrastructure in the US is here for you.

I can't say I'm feeling the adventure yet. I'm still very comfortable. All of this is so familiar. I went to high school in Bismarck, so it's not my first trip to TRNP.  I've been here at least a dozen times.  It's awe-inspiring in its beauty. And I got a special treat today.  It's not every visit that you get to see wild horses, and even rarer to see them with their babies. 

Our next scheduled stop is Custer's Last Stand in Montana. I've never been there, so maybe then this will sort of sink in a bit more, that this is actually our life now.  So far, it still kind of feels like a long road trip vacation.  Except for the repairs. That part definitely hits the reality bone. 

Speaking of sinking in (ha! Segue alert!), I am not known for my love of filth. But if you ever get the chance to sink your toes into the mud of the Little Missouri River banks, do it!  It feels delightful...to a point, of course.  And then you just want to wash off your feet.   I wonder if RVing will be similar.