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.