Thursday, June 18, 2009

Family Watershed Moment - Part 2

A comment was made last night that brought great clarity to an issue I've been pondering..... It was said, "If the weather is nice tomorrow we'll play on the river, if it's bad we'll go to the ocean!"
NOW I get why none of my family love the ocean as I do.....it's always wet, foggy and COLD....and the Northern Pacific coast is nothing like the oceans in Africa or the Philippines. I must work to show the family the fun of the ocean.....

TODAY it was gorgeous....
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

We stopped at the Chart Room....a little restaurant right on the beach...
Photobucket

From the window you can see Battery Lighthouse, the Ocean (obviously), surfers, fishing boats and sea lions.
Photobucket


Photobucket

These two hung back on the dock while I walked out for closer photos.
Photobucket

Stacia came with me. After the sea lion slid into the ocean she looked down....and said, "It's lots of water without a bottom." She wanted BACK ON LAND NOW, and wouldn't look at ME for a photo for NOTHING. LOL
Photobucket

Photobucket

We found Salt Water Taffy.

We went grocery shopping.

We baked cookies, played games and made dinner.
Photobucket

Hmmm.....I suppose the bottom line is, "I did laundry, bought groceries, cooked and cleaned," but it sure seemed like a fun day. ::snort:: Note there is not one obscene Longhorn gesture in this post.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Family Watershed Moment - Part 1

Photobucket

Do you see it? The kid is flashing the Longhorn sign when a bright light appeared...a halo around his head....and the rest of the family jumped on the Longhorn bandwagon. Who are we to fight such a divine signal of the error of our ways? Roy, Jared is sure that you informed him that an Aggie PHD stands for Post Hole Digger? You are not helping... ::snort:: It appears that most the family has gone over to the dark side.

Yesterday, we split up. Half decided to hike up Little Bald Hill and then down via Sheep Pen Gulch. We knew Stacia wasn't up for the hike. I've been having "leg issues" again and we knew I wasn't up for the hike. Arielle and BreAnne opted to keep the two of us company.

These brave souls set out around 9:00 a.m. and hit the trail at 9:30 a.m. We were not to see them again for 12.5 hours....a full 5.5 hours later than Mike predicted. ::snort:: Mike has enhanced the reputation of his hikes amongst the children. I learned long, long ago. ::snort::
Photobucket

Years ago, before the arrival of children, it became our family tradition to hike to the top of Little Bald Hill and plant fruit tree seeds. Mike mentioned last night that we need to take saplings up next time. I guess our orchard is not doing as well as hoped. ::snort:: This is a beautiful hike and there IS a trail....Krista told us a bit ago that she plans to have her wedding at the top of Little Bald Hill....guess y'all better start training or learn to jump out of a plane. LOL

Zander reported late last night that the "hike would have gone much quicker if Krista didn't have to keep stopping to take pictures of flowers." ::snort:: Guess she's her Mom's daughter.
Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Is it the hike or the shock of making an obscene Longhorn gesture that is causing Zander such alarm?
Photobucket

Photobucket

You know you've reached the top of Little Bald Hill when you arrive at the outhouse.
Photobucket

Lunch and Play in the meadow at the top. Even the shadows make Longhorn gestures around here.
Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


It took four hours for the G team to hike to the top of the "hill". It took 8 1/2 hours for them to hike back down via Sheep Pen Gulch. Why?
Photobucket

There was NO TRAIL... ::snort:: Zander labeled Mike "The Scout".
Photobucket

Photobucket

Finally back at the trailer for the Chicken Dinner that has been waiting...and showers....

The tired hikers...
Photobucket

Krista displays why one should never go hiking in capris. ::snort::
Photobucket

They ate, showered, and slept. I'm not sure if Zander managed to sing througout the hike. I DO know that I'm up early washing loads of muddy clothes.

For a first hand account of the hike, visit Jared's Blog.

Still a bit of time in the dryers, I think I'll go write about another family watershed moment.


Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...