Quote of the day: After watching his father's ill treatment of his mother (read below), Zander said, "Dad, you are just so....so....so...SELFISH!" ::snort:: I guess that's as bad as he could think.
After settling in to our new site, we headed over to Mom and Dad G's. Today is their 50th anniversary....
We spent the afternoon down at the river. Jared swam ACROSS the river and BACK. A first for him - somewhat of a rite of passage in our household. 
Mike's high school tennis coach now lives next to his parents. He came out yesterday and offered us the use of his kayaks. We gratefully accepted. 
Our picnic on the far side of the river.
The view of Mom and Dad G's from our picnic - you can just make out the van to the right of the photo.
Mike determined that I would go in the water. I had been "in" but not "in enough" for his satisfaction. I told him that God made tropical oceans and rivers for swimming but he made the Smith River for viewing and boating.....I finally told him he had no moral authority because the kids had noted HE had not gone in yet. He dived in. Note I NEVER said I would go in if he did.....but I knew the battle was over when he picked me up......I told him to leave me alone and I WOULD go in.....Jamin evidently grabbed the Nikon - ignoring my rule that no one snap a photo of me in my swimming suit. I share all this because the quote of the day came from this incident. LOL When I wouldn't go in deeper he threatened to make me - and did. 
It was cold!
We came back to the trailer - SHOWERED in our trailer that now had a working pump ::snort:: - and then picked up Dad and Mom G. We took them out to The Grotto - one of their favorites for their anniversary.
Crescent City is amazing. It has the Redwoods. Mom and Dad G live less than 1/2 a mile from the state park and right on the river. In other words, they live in the middle of the redwoods. They are 10 miles out from C City. C City has an OCEAN. I love the ocean. It's always fun to me to introduce a child to the ocean. Today was Zander's first time to see the ocean. Stacia's too, but she probably won't remember so we'll get to do it again with her on our next trip. LOL We could watch the ocean while we ate. Zander seemed mildly interested. We drove home along the ocean and Mike stopped to take photos. I let Zander get out and he spent several minutes just staring out at the horizon. It was obvious that he was contemplating how big it was. 
And WHY do I have all this time to blog tonight????? Because Mike and the children are sleeping on the other side of the river tonight. This is another rite of passage. I don't think BreAnne ever did this but all the others have. I'm home with Stacia....she's asleep. It's amazing. I never planned it to happen this way but I'm getting my very own night alone....maybe not in a hotel and not a real vacation but it is wonderful. 
15 comments:
There's nothing quite like the sea, is there?
Do you live very far from the sea now. Texas has a coast, doesn't it? Do you ever go there?
Oh,the nature pictures are wonderful! It seems so peaceful.
Seeing you in the "cold" river reminds me of my youth and regular wades into Lake Creek in WY starting in June ea. year! Invigorating, isn't it? {G} lol How great to have your youngest son defend you. What a sweet heart.
Oh, for the record, I believe my gh would have done to me what Mike did to you! (Forgive me, I'm still chuckling!)
Those pictures of the water are amazing! I can see why Zander would be pondering over how vast it is!!!
Loved the pic of you in the water too. I think you came out lucky though. My WHOLE family would have been joining DH is soaking me!!!
Sounds like you all are having an awesome time!!
What gorgeous country you are in!!! Sounds like ya'll are having a fabulous trip.
The views are STUNNING! How marvelous that you can take pictures, write about your day & share it all right away with friends you've never met all around the world.
Good thing Al invented the internet.
Sis:
Beautiful foto's. I'm with you and Alexander when it comes to oceans. However, I prefer the tropical and African ones cuz they are WARM and even hot when in shallow water.
See you all later today. Hope to leave no later than 9am. Dad says with his new car it won't take as long as one thinks to get there. :):) :(:(:( And this from the one who says I drive to fast. Guess he plans to drive. By now due to his hip/leg problems the "tabu" of me driving when he is in the car is OVER.... 1 Month after we were married I quit driving with Dad along. :):)
love/prayers
I grew up in OR - gorgeous coast about an hour away.
Then lived in the Philippines - coast everywhere - in fact our home was across the street, we often took little canoe like boats with motors out to islands, snorkeled, swam etc.
MT, TX these places just aren't near a beach. The beaches in TX that we HAVE gone to see aren't - they arent white sand. We have heard of Padre island and I plan on trying that. Last time we lived here when I simply had to migrate to the sea we went to Pensecola and camped.
Beth - I AM lucky because we have a LOT of T-poisioning around here...but the boys were mostly in the water....and I was screaming enough that they weren't quite sure who they should side with. Jared began swimming across the river....said he didn't know who he would side with. ::snort:: Always in the back of their minds it that they are at home with me for hours and hours each school year. muhahahahahah
Sounds like Mike's parents live in a very beautiful area!
Sorry to hear you got dunked!
So nice that you got an evening to yourself.
De'Etta, I'm so glad the family had an opportunity to go kayaking. I'm with you--I prefer the tropical ocean for swimming. Other bodies of water I prefer to kayak or just admire the scenery.
What a special treat to have a quiet evening!
She is a beautiful woman! To be married for fifty years and still look as pretty as she does is just fabulous!
And WHAT are you concerned about? You look great in your bathing suit!
Your joy is contagious, and I very much enjoy getting to read all about your family's adventures. Thanks for sharing them !!
Oooh, you're making me miss the NW soooo much! Looks like you're all having fun. What a great trip:)
Jen in Az
Stephanie in TX.....you are a gracious woman. LOL Thanks for your kind words.
Ah Jen - it makes ME miss the NW too but think one word RAIN - DRIZZLY, MOSIT, MISTY RAIN - from Sept - Late June...LOL
Looks like you guys are having LOADS of fun! What a beautiful area his parents live in.
Post a Comment