Squirrels and Coyotes and Bears, oh my!

 Our travels have taken us to Lake Tahoe. The journey  was interesting... and a bit nerve wracking.  Pulling a camper over a mountain  range uses a LOT of gas. And gas stations  are...sparse.  We found one that *gasp* saved is from sitting by the roadside  at more than $6. Per gallon.  

We saw several varieties of squirrels and chipmunks.  Becky and Ruby have been praying  for is to see a bear.

Lake Tahoe was incredibly  crowded. We were looking for  place to pull over with a camper... and it was difficult.  We pulled into a pay beach day use area  with less than an hour  until it closed. The kids waded and walked along the beach.

As we walked back from the  beach to rinse our feet of sand, there was a bear checking to see if anyone had failed to close a dumpster.  He methodically  checked each  one, then climbed a fence to stroll the boardwalk. We loaded up, and before we were put of the parking lot, a pack of coyotes wandered past. They stopped to look at us looking  at them mere yards away.

We got some sunset shots, and began our drive over the mountains to our airbnb in Reno. It was dark as we summited, and the lights of Reno spread below us. This morning, the desert was such a surprising difference from the trees and mountains.  We hit the store for food, blankets, and water.

The kids are settling  into the travel routine!

YOSEMITE

 We visited  Yosemite. It was a day trip from The Family's house in the western California  mountains. The grove of giant Sequoia  we visited was the Tuolumne Grove. It was quite a hike down the trail to see the trees, but WOW! 

The kids enjoyed  the hike going down.  Not quite as much coming back up! We took plenty of water, and some mandarin oranges. 

The park really  needs  more than the half a day we gave it. Thankfully, we had a wonderful place to return  to sleep. Everyone pretty much  collapsed onto their cots. Another night under the stars for those who chose to sleep underneath the  stars.

Columbia, CA

 The coddiwomplers have been visiting  family  in sunny California. The folks took us to one of the most historic towns in the state: Columbia. It is an old mining town. The town is habitated by workers wearing  period costumes.  The kids were treated to a stagecoach  ride, and "held up" along the route. A photography studio took all of the kids in a dressed up picture, which they loved very much. 

The Family  has a comfortable house that my Uncle built. We all had the option  to sleep inside, but Kimber and Nickole chose a front yard location to pitch a tent. Becky, Tyrel and I slept out on the back deck beneath the stars. Uncle told us one of their neighbors watches a black bear and cubs outside the house  many mornings.  We saw wild turkey. I was convinced I heard a wolf in the wee morning  hours, but Uncle said there are no wolves near his house, though they have been reintroduced northern parts of the state. I am quite familiar with  coyote sounds... this was not a coyote. 

Coddiwomple Adventures

This is the morning of our seventh day! (nine since departure from Texas. Daniel is making great progress on his journey. God has favored him several times, meeting his needs for places to stay in such a timely manner.)

Yesterday, we had a choice of making a very long day of ten or so hours of driving to visit relatives.... or camp another night between. Becky had friends to meet, so we decided to camp about 2/3 of the way along.

 I found a campground that was amazingly open (plenty of available spaces) and reserved us a tent and an RV spot in Sycamore Grove Red Bluff campgrounds. We got set up quickly... the cooperation is improving daily! Becky took Kimber and Ruby to meet her friend, then to buy groceries. We try to plan/ buy for several days ahead... but the kids eat like ravenous beasts... We are constantly needing to resupply. The park gates close at 10pm. We had a gate code. Two things we didn't know...The gate closing is EASTERN Time. And.. the gates closed means the gates are CLOSED. The code does NOT open the gates after hours. There is no entrance during closed hours. Becky, Ruby,and Kimber were locked outside of the gates. The campgrounds are a mile or so inside of the gates. There was no Camp Host to implore. The girls walked the mile+ to camp, leaving the van and groceries locked in the parking lot outside of the park. (It was a midnight fog walk, without the fog!) They arrived back at camp safely.

  Meanwhile... I had kids at camp! I sent Tyrel to shower while the beans for supper cooked in the instant pot. It was a pay shower. I was back to scrounging for quarters. Ty was once again sent to shower. Two of the bigger girls had showered that morning. I took the four youngest cousins to the showers, with four quarters. I put Jasher in a stall, showed him how to operate the shower. Took the three girls into a second stall and did the quickest three showers you can imagine. Get one wet, move aside and while the second got wet, shampooed the first. Third got wet while second shampooed, then first rinsed off. Quick, quick, quick. Three clean girls and one boy... fifty cents. We even had water time left. 

Just as dark fell, the campers I. the tent across from us arrived back. They were seriously sketchy. Looks can often be deceiving... but in this case we're spot on. The male had numerous loud, angry phone calls. I took the kids inside the trailer and let them watch videos on their devices, lest they learn many new "vocabulary words". I sat outside the door reading and stargazing. Eventually, one of the younger kids came out and asked if they could PLEASE go to bed. (At that point, we didn't know about the gate situation.) I got the younger half of the tribe tucked into the tent. I moved my chair closer to the tent, but where I could still see the door of the camper. They were not far apart, mere yards. The angry couple in the tent across from us continued loud, vulgar phone calls. Ironically, when another group of campers arrived across the campground and used their headlights to set up their camp, the Sketchies complained loudly about the lights, and how some people have no respect for others! We locked the trailer with those sleeping inside.  The tent campers were farther from the neighbors.... and "not defenseless."

I was the first one up this morning, so hiked the mile to the van and brought it back to  camp. I didn't  feel the slightest urge to shush children as we packed up camp this morning.  Grumbling was heard the Sketchies camp.  Hmmm.  Maybe "respect " ought to be a two way street?

 The drive had been through beautiful mountains.. but smoke from wildfire made it a bit of an apprehensive time. When we did break free from the smoke, WOW! Such mountains! One of the kids had commented the day before that California mountains were not Real mountains... like the Rocky mountains in Colorado, where they had gone on Trek last week. His opinion was based on the "lack of peaks" he was observing in the very northern areas of California. I had said, just wait.

Travel lunch was beans, cheese, and tortilla chips in an empty lot that was where our GPS had indicated a park. I THOUGHT I had made enough  beans to have some for lunch and leave enough for  supper.  I tremendously underestimated the love of beans in the tribe. Two kids were left crying when  there were no more beans at lunch. I took time to get a  second pot started soaking before  we got back on the road. Supper  was beans and franks. Today may prove... fragrant.

I hope you enjoying our trip!

Redwoods!

After a wonderfully beautiful journey down the Oregon coast, we arrived in northernmost California about 9 pm, to set up the trailer and separate tent camp after dark. We awakened in the redwood forest. Let me go back to the journey down! One grand (3.1) needed to have an ingrown toenail looked at. An antibiotic was given. Walgreens took more than 3 hours to get it prepared! We took advantage of being in a coastal town, and took the kids to the beach. 63* and windy was not my cup of tea, so I sat in the van while Becky and Ruby took the kids to the beach. I was ready with dry towels and water to clean sandy feet when they returned. We set off down the coast. The Oregon coast has GOT to be a bucket list destination. I saw a whale breach! That got the kids attention. We pulled into the next scenic overlook. God blessed us with a homeschooling family already there. The dad told us how to watch for whales spouting! ( got to love otter cracked. it changed " whales spouting" to " wholesale spouting "! We never got to laundry... and we were beyond needing to do it! So first thing on our day 5 adventure... Granny did laundry. Our beautiful Ruby cleaned the trailer. Becky oversaw showers. Ruby found Althea's missing shoes! They had mysteriously been put into a cupboard with trash bags and laundry soap! I don't know how to describe all the clean. It was wonderful. Everyone was showered. Wearing clean clothes. The van and trailer were sorted out and cleansed. ( cue the heavenly harps!) It was noon when we were done and set out to hike the redwoods. But first? Lunch! We got sandwich makings from a tiny grocery/ picnic supplies store. (Debated a restaurant... but the long, long line and $20 burgers sent us away!) We found a beautiful picnic table near Ladybird Johnson Redwood Grove. The kids had a wonderful time playing there. Then, we hiked to Ladybird Grove. (more harp music please!) Other than bickering among cousins about who "discovered" each and every redwood, and those other hikers who nastily remarked about "staying on the trails", it was a fantastic hike. ( We did stay on established trails. Not all were the main, broad trail. But all were obviously maintained side trails to examine each redwood up close.) Supper was hotdogs, ranch beans, and marshmallows around the campfire. Becky played her guitar. We talked about our favorite and least favorite parts of the day. (the kids hated the drive. The adults loved the drive!) Teeth were brushed, and we had a first! All the kids awake to be tucked in. It was a blessed day! *My apologies for the unstructured appearance of the posts. I put in paragraphs that disappear when it is posted. *

MID- DAY update

I have been told by a couple of people that the comments were severely hard to use. I have changed the settings...or tried to! We devoured roasted chicken, potato salad, green salad for lunch. We pulled out a folding table while parked at a Walmart store. We are once again delayed several hours. (A stop at a quick-care center, followed by a three hour-to-fill prescription for an infected toe.) We killed time at another beautiful beach, where the "I'm freezing" at 70* kids all frolicked through the waves in the 63* weather... not counting the brisk sea breeze! Our original goal had us going 300 miles today. That's not happening!

Fun and "Adventures"

We had our first "break camp and travel" day. I think the packing up and going went reasonably well. My kids say they hated traveling with me growing up, because it makes me grouchy. And yet, here is Crabby Granny with eight grands on a trip. Yes... I have had grouchy moments. A person can usually count on a grumpy Granny moment when any given child has been told to do something more than once. Granny doesn't "count". (My stance is that children should obey the first time. Counting to three, five, ten?.... That's giving the message that the child need not obey you until you are completely fed up.) When the baggage is loaded, all amenities disconnected and stowed, and Granny discovers you're barefoot after she's told you several times to put your shoes on... you will probably get crabbed at. When you "can't find" the shoes that you were supposed to put on... and the place(s) you think you put them turn out to be wrong (after unloading half the stowed bags)... Granny is definitely annoyed. (Same child lost the replacement shoes in the restaurant, and we were flagged down by a waitress as we were leaving. Then mislaid them twice more during the same day!) (Statistically among our group, there is a 3 out of 4 chance that this was a girl.) We hiked to see one of the lighthouses at Cape Disappointment. Chinese food for lunch. Then down the highway for such amazing scenery! Tall trees, mountains, valleys, and then the broad Pacific began to run along side. We stopped at a scenic turnout... and had our first? "adventure". When my kids were growing up, any minor mishap along a journey was called an "adventure". This was just one of those uh-oh, Nooo! moments. The key was on the seat, and got locked in the van. The nearest locksmith was almost an hour away. But hey, what better place than a scenic overlook above a Pacific coast beach to wait? We let the kids go down to see the beach. For the second time in the same day, at least one was soaked from head to toe before anyone could say, stay out of the water. Apparently, grandkids who wear winter coats when the weather hits 65* are completely impervious to the chill of the cold ocean waves. Granny closed her eyes as daredevil children scaled huge rock formations just touching the shore. We were scheduled to make an RV park that offered laundry rooms and showers... but the lock- out and subsequent time drying and removing sand from children kept us from reaching our goal. At dark, we found a small RV park that had one slot left. We had paid our fee before they saw all the kids pour out of the van! Camp hosts were a kind couple who allowed we could set up a tent next to the trailer, though they normally don't allow tent camping. Set up went... so-so. Not the well oiled effort we are striving for...yet. I cooked supper, while Becky set up the trailer. Ruby organized the tent set up brigade. The girls frequently asked what they could next do to help. (A few played and hiked so hard today, they fell asleep before we stopped and slept right through). After supper clean-up was quickly accomplished, and no one had to be urged to go to bed! Another day under our belts. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we journey. The van has a Saturday morning appointment for maintenance and dealer service.

PORTLAND...

I believe their motto is "Keep Portland Weird". We had to get the van looked at. The diagnosis was: "Probably safe to drive, but get it to a (brand) dealer soon." I got to meet a cousin that I haven't seen since I was a pre-schooler. We all had lunch at a delicious Chicken Biscuit place. Ruby got to visit a friend. Then we hiked to a waterfall. Originally, the voice on the map said it was five minutes away. But Apple maps butted in... and we wound up in Washington state at a tiny city park that had a small fall. it was a beautiful drive, a fun hike. But never trust Apple! Supper was tacos, where we discovered my cumin was missing from the spice box. There was much lamenting. Cold water showers were taken in the camper, as all that the camp shower did was eat quarters for zero water. Ty very carefully examined every breaker and fuse... but was unable to "fix" the water heater. As we packed to leave this morning, Nickole and Kimber were closing the trailer slide out... and saw the main power panel switches clearly labeled "Water Heater". Feel free to laugh as hard as we did!

First Camp!

After our night in the parking lot, we drove on to the designated departure point for Daniel. He rode away from us, looking to make 100 miles before dark. It was too early for us to check in to our campground, so we found a National Park to explore. The kids really enjoyed learning about Lewis and Clark. We hiked an easy trail, then a challenging trail. While one didn't need to be a mountain goat on it, We spread out a bit so the person ahead of us didn't clip us in the head with their heels. (Only slightly exaggerating). After we left the park, our intention was to set up and organize camp, then hit the grocery store. We got camp set up, and decided that we could dine creatively on what we had on hand. Lettuce and lunch meat roll-ups, tomatoes, sweet peppers, trail mix, and popcorn. The kids played. We are within sight of the RV park playground, but kept the kids in camp until adults could accompany them. Becky played her guitar for a bit. Ruby remembered to have us start reading one of our "Campfire Kids" books. We got six chapters read aloud before it got too dark. Kids were fall

ing asleep in their chairs by dark, and no one argued about an early bedtime. (We didn't have a campfire!) Teeth were brushed, faces washed, and it was lights out! I awakened early with an urgent desire to visit the camper... and discovered we are experiencing a light rain this morning. The smaller cousins that slept in the big tent with Becky and I are stirring. They are happily chatting as they make their beds and dress. Day Two starting !

SOOooo close!

We drove about 800 miles Saturday. We made it to within an hour of our goal destination. It's two hours earlier here, so we took advantage of the extra daylight. We didn't have a good estimate of how far we would get before we got here, so we didn't have advance reservations anywhere. This was an opportunity to prove our mettle! We divided duties, Granny exercised the wiggles out of the kids in an empty parking lot, while Becky and Daniel both called every motel/ hotel/ RV park in the town where we had stopped for supper. They found two rooms, and we headed to the motel. Oh. My. Word. If you looked up "seedy" in a dictionary, I'm pretty sure this place will have its picture by the definition. We had to pull around back to park our long van/ trailer combo. Cart people were going through the trash in the cans behind the building. We decided that maybe sleeping in a Walmart parking lot was a better option. It proved to be a step up, anyway. We proved ou r assertion that we can sleep everyone between the van and camper if we must. Yesterday's drive didn't inspire the wonder and excitement of the previous day. The kids endured well. Lunch was sandwiches in a grocery store parking lot in Boise. Supper was a small town fresh seafood, at a place where the boss had JUST sent most of his staff home. So getting our food took longer than we had intended. But it was fantastic. Dan starts his ride this morning. Our adventures will start with setting up our first base camp. We have necessities to attend, and local attractions to explore. (And yes, we do have reservations for an RV park!)

"Awe-full" Day

Our first full day of driving towards the Pacific Northwest started before dawn in Roswell, New Mexico. We are staying in motels on the way to the point where we drop Daniel off, so we don't miss any much of the ever changing scenery. Daniel let Google set the "most direct/ fastest" route... we all agree that we probably could NOT have chosen a more beautiful one. From the moment the sun rose, peaking through breaking rain clouds, we were awestruck. We traveled West across Northern New Mexico to Albuquerque. ( At one point, we did, indeed make a left turn!)Then northwest through a corner of Colorado. Every angle of the road, every rise we topped, brought us brand new terrain. We saw pronghorn antelope. A band rainbow in the clouds. We saw magnificent Shiprock in the distance. So many odd mountains, knobs, and formations. Then we got to Utah. Somehow, our thinking had a mental image of dry, sandy desert with the occasional butte as the deserted highway stretched into the distance. How wrong we were! Utah is fantastically beautiful. (I told Mr C in a text, we MUST come back to Moab.) Katie (3.5 designation, age 5) ohhed and ahhhed so much. She declared, "We have GOT to move here!" Our breakfast was packaged fruit bars. Snacks of jerky, fresh fruit, and trail mix held the kids over between the "fun" road meals. Lunch was frito chili "pie" prepared in the camper, pulled off the road at a gravel lot. Hours (and States) later, we had a pizza picnic in a gas station parking lot for supper. We will NOT be eating so much "junk" food once we begin "our part" of the adventure. Day 2 of travel leaves us some 700+ miles to the drop off point!

On the Road!

I have probably said "WOW" thirty times in the past hour. Mr C is has joked, that in west Texas, you could watch your dog run away for three days. Across this part of New Mexico, you could see the dog run away for two weeks! The VIEWS! It looks like "The old west". Even the towns we have gone through look like they are remnants of the '50s. We can see both ends of long trains. Dan was able to take Thursday off. We got the trailer loaded, and got five hours of driving behind us. A short stop at a nice hotel gave us all a good sleep before we got on the road by 6 am. **************** The terrain changes have been amazing! If you have just joined us, we are getting to the Pacific Northwest as quickly as we can. Daniel has a very limited amount of time to get 4228 miles, so needs to get to his starting point in as soon as possible. Once Daniel gets going, our own adventures begin. Daniel's Blog

Departure in 36 hours!

Nickole (2.1) and I have arrived in Texas. We ended up driving down here after all, as the standby flights filled. Since I did drive, we were able to stop by and pick up my DIL Ruby (5A) in Dallas. Country-girl problem! I got very little sleep last night at my son's Dallas apartment. It was busy outside! I ought to sleep well tonight! The Trek group is headed home. DIL Paula (4A) has Jasher (4.1) and Althea (4.2) almost ready to go. We missed a few items packing, so tomorrow will require a trip to town (25 miles away), then out to Becky's with baggage to pack up the trailer. Benjamin (son 4.0) pointed out that with just 5 items each: a small bag of clothes, cot, sleeping bag, camp chair, and personal backpack, we have 55 luggage items to stow. Then: tent, folding table, food, water, and cooking supplies- space will be tight. The three kids here and two adults going are very excited! (I am sure the Trekkers will be excited after they get some sleep!) We would appreciate your prayers for safe travels.

Closing In!

 This past weekend, 7.0 and I traveled to Texas. It was a previously  unplanned  trip.

The event alluded to in a prior post was postponed. However, 7.0 and I picked up Daniel's  dog Dante. We returned  today... 600 mile drives are simply exhausting.  The Big Trip necessities I had were dropped off in Texas, so grand 2.1 and I can fly down on the 17th without baggage. 

At this point, I  am SO grateful  for the chiropractor  who has been working  on my hip for the past couple of weeks.  I have an appointment  Wednesday... and might squeeze  in one more visit before TBT.   I did think to ask about  sleep positions... I  tend to awaken  in a pretzel shape. Seems most of my natural  sleep habits are not good for  my spine! I found myself  trying to adapt  my  position  as I  sleep, to prevent  back/ hip spasms. After today, I  know I  still  need help!

In the next 8 or 9 days... still so much to do!

Prayers appreciated!

Two more weeks!

Our timeline is affected  by Daniel and Becky going on the annual  church Trek. They leave in 8 days, to return  on the 17th... though it might technically  be the small  hours of the 18th. Daniel works the 18th... so Becky and I have in the  neighborhood of  24 hours to go over check lists and load the trailer and van.

There will be unpacking  and laundry  from Trek!

Meanwhile... an (as of yet) undisclosed event has altered our chain of events. Daniel was bringing  his dog Dante to stay at my house during  Trek and The Big Trip. Now, we are traveling to Texas this weekend  instead . As far as TBT goes, not much changes. Dante stays here, but  comes back Monday with us, instead of  Dan driving him up over the weekend. For me, this means *I * have to have all TBT related packing done by Friday afternoon. We will take it to Texas, to await loading in the trailer  on the 18th. Grand 2.1 and I will fly  down on the 17th. DIL 4.A will  get us at the airport. No muss, no fuss flying! Our gear will be in Texas! Son 5.0 will bring Ruby ( 5.A) out to west Texas from Dallas on the 18th.

The undisclosed  event will alter our family permanently, and if it affects TBT, we will let you know!

Who's Who... sort of

Tammy

 I'm Tammy. My daughter and co-conspirator on this trip is Becky.

Becky

Ruby

Daniel

Jasher (4.1) Dakota (3.3) Katie (3.5) Grace (3.4) and Althea (4.2)

Kimber (3.2) and Nickole (2.1)
GGPa and Ty (3.1)

My second youngest son, and the reason for making this trip is Daniel. He will have his You-tube blog linked to  ours in the sidebar, once he is ready to link.
I should tell you a bit about our family.
Mr C and I have been married 38 years. We have 7 grown up children, ranging in age from 42  down to the 26 year old twins.
We use a numbering system as short-hand to keep the kids and grandkids straight for other folks (like you). For handy reference: Becky is 3.0 . She's my third born child.
Her kids are 3.1 ( age 15); 3.2 (12); 3.3 (10); 3.4 (8); and 3.5 (5).
My Daughter-in-Love Ruby is married to my 5.0 son. (Ruby is 5A. She is native Peruvian, having met 5.0 at Christ For The Nations.)
Daniel is 6.0- his twin is 7.0 The twins are unmarried... so if one of them catches your eye, ladies! (Shameless mom plug)
Also on this trip are grandchildren 2.1 (13); and 4.1 (9).

Best Route Choices and Executive Decisions

 Two more weeks until I head to Texas.

One full day there to load and prep the trailer, and make sure all our stuff is aboard.
I have pestered Becky numerous times- and she's already got a lot on her mind- until she said "Make Executive decisions, Mom!"

Coddiwomple!!!
I have looked at all the places we intend to visit in the western USA. There are several places where we have to make decisions on what to see first! Do we go down the Pacific Coast Highway towards San Francisco to see The Golden Gate Bridge before turning East, stop and visit my Auntie and Uncle, dip South to Yosemite, then back to the North ? We would see the giant redwoods along the way.
  Or do we start out with the North, head East, then South and West, looping back to the NW to hit the spots we missed? I have actually sent Becky a couple of possible routes, though there are other options out there. We still have a couple of weeks to decide... and by then, our paths may yet be altered due to the raging fires.

So, every little thing I can get done around my house is getting done... or at least put on a list. With Mr C and Sam both working, harvesting the garden might mean tomatoes going directly into the freezer. So, the freezer is due its semi-annual defrosting and reorganizing.
I already have a couple of zucchini lasagnas in it. A couple of bags of squash, tomatoes, and onions to make ratatouille over the winter. (I didn't know it was called ratatouille until a few weeks ago. We called it garden saute!)

Tomorrow, August 3rd... Mr C and I will have been married for 38 years. Nope, no plans in regard to that. I had thought we might go out to eat, but the only restaurant Mr C will go to (and that is reluctantly) is closed for their Summer Vacation. A person could become bitterly disappointed if they let things like sentimental anniversaries being forgotten or ignored get to them. If you don't have expectations, you won't be disappointed!