"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!