Last year the kids and I were planning on going on an around the country trip. I thought that Bob could join us at one or more points along the way so he could keep working. It's hard to get lots of continuous time off. As we drew closer to a shove off date Bob said he wanted to come and would we postpone for a year? It was an easy decision. We waited.
When Bob took his current job he told them that he would be gone for a month this summer. They said it wouldn't be a problem and the held to their promise. He is with us!
I have been researching for months, pouring over maps and guide books, making reservations and getting all our museum memberships in order. The kids did a little research too and each have two locations where they will be the tour guide.
Kees has been pretty, "Go with the flow." He is ready and has done a little research. He's excited.
Coulter is another story. He has been really nervous. He kept saying that he was afraid that we were going to get into a car crash. I think it's because of the unknown and he doesn't know exactly what to expect. Summer in Portland is pretty great and he was going to miss his friends and the pool.
Both boys were driving me NUTS! Each year when school gets out we have hit the road almost immediately. They know the routine for that. Everyone helps, everyone pitches in, everyone carries their weight. My kids are great at that. This year we waited two weeks after school got out. Big mistake. The kids all have acted like every day is Saturday morning. They haven't lifted a finger to help do ANYTHING! They have spent too much time on screens and have hardly done any chores. They have left all their crap all over, all the time. I have begged, pleaded, yelled, cried for help and it all fell on deaf ears. Our kids need a trip to get their summer in order, they need to pitch in!
My mom and Ed rolled into town on Thursday evening so they could head out on Friday morning to get a jump on the road trip. Their RV can't travel and the rapid pace of the lightning van. Bob had the brilliant idea to have them take the boys. They needed to go. I was sick of trying to keep them from fighting, stopping them from leaving their stuff all over and trying to get ready to head out. Mom and Ed accepted the challenge and it was the right decision. They have had a fine time and the boys got to stay in the RV.
Our friends the Klines had us over for dinner last night. We planned to come home and pack....not so much after dinner and drinks. We hit the sack. Bob was up at 6 and Sophia and I were up at 7. I had a heart to heart with Sophia about stepping up and she did. We loaded up and were on the road by 9.
We drove up the Gorge and honestly, we live in the most beautiful part of the country. It takes my breath away every time. The picture at the top of this post is overlooking Pendleton Valley. It was overcast but still, so beautiful. We are now 6 hours in and have covered 400 miles and it sunny and 81 degrees. We are slated to cover 6500 miles and over 100 hours of driving so we are just beginning. Check back here for more updates. Hang on, it's going to be a wild ride.
