Day 12 - June 26th

Gas in Troutdale, OR Mt Hood, OR

Multnomah Falls, OR Barge towing its own lighthouse

Adavantage to traveling with a trailer - roadside pit stop - VERY close to the semis

Umatilla, OR
Day 12 - Springfield, OR to Spokane, WA
June 26, 2007

Motorcycle Lotto:

Jared is the winner today. I think we have a new accounting system in the works for the results…stay tuned.

Quote of the Day: We are now officially OFF leave and ON TDY (temporary duty).
What a night. Zander got sick. He began to throw up late last night. He’s the first child we’ve had who threw up IN HIS SLEEP.

We got out of Springfield 15 minutes early! That was amazing as Kirk, a friend from youth group all those years ago, dropped by to visit when he saw the trailer at the church’s parking lot with Alaska plates. He’s an assistant pastor.

Arielle was a bit under the weather today. Zander slept most of the day in the van. No more throwing up - but the tropical trots began. Jared is feeling “iffy” but seems “ok”.

We are now waiting for the girls to show up for a quick visit. Their schedules this week are going to be crazy as they are support help for putting on the convention. Our “home” for the next week is a stone’s throw from the freeway. It’s a beautiful park…but I’m shocked that folks stay here LONG TERM….the noise would get to me…something about sitting in the shade, roses at your shoulders and exhaust at your back. ::snort:: They have clean facilities and a nice playground. They are 10 minutes from the hotel where convention is and 15 - 20 minutes from the church. They do nickel and dime you to death here….for instance wi fi has been free at all parks that advertised it…here it is $7 a day. Mike is thinking about moving - but we shall see.
We drove through some beautiful country and some not so beautiful country too. ::snort:: Here are some scenes.

Day 11 - Springfield, OR June 25, 2007

We decided NOT to have today be a driving day. Arielle and I are both still ill. Poor Arielle threw up off and on until about 3:30 a.m. and then has slept all day. I’ve been sleeping and talking through waves of cramps and nausea.

Mike and the boys did various odd jobs around here for Dad. It’s great to see him up and about now that he’s nearly recovered from his hip surgery. He saw the doc again today and is released for “sedentary” work - not the correct adjective for truck driver. ::snort:: The doc says up to another year for recovery. Thanks for your prayers during the past year for Dad, continue.

We’ve had various ones stopping by throughout the day. We’ll see many of them again in Spokane at the conference. A highlight was my oldest brother dropping by.

Mike took the boys to the park….so the girls could keep sleeping….maybe in peace.

Day 10 - Crescent City, CA to Springfield, OR
Monday - 25 June 2007

Motorcycle Lotto: Mike is the winner today.

Quote of the Day: From Zander, “Mom, there’s a picture of you marrying JARED!” as he checked out Mom’s photo collection and saw the one Mike and my wedding. ::snort::
Saying goodbye is always tough. We all said goodbye late to the G’s Saturday night. Mike and Jamin ran back over to the house to deliver some photos that had finished printing in the night and to bring the row boat back up to Mom and Dad G’s garage.

We left our campsite late. We had an uneventful drive to OR. Beautiful scenery, redwoods, mountains, valleys, Smith River, Umpqua River, Willamette Valley.

It’s been a habit for over 24 years to stop at Rice Hill for Umpqua ice cream when we drive between OR and CA. We stopped.

We had planned to park in front of Mom and Dad T’s house, but there wasn’t quite enough room. The children and I visited with Mom, while Mike and Dad went to check the two RV Parks in town. It turns out that both were “seedy” and not ones Mike would stay at.
My brother, Nate, his wife, and two children dropped by and we had an impromptu BBQ.
We are now parked in the lot of my home church - one of the sending churches for my parents for years and years. It’s actually a very secluded and quiet nook that Dad and Mike found for us.
I felt ill all day (which is why I forgot to pictures last night). Turns out I have a fever. Arielle began throwing up as we left Mom and Dads…..we’ve decided to be a day late into Spokane and to give all sickos a day to rest….while the rest play. Praying no one else gets sick as the rest of this week will be taken up with conference…..

Can't get the mouse to work here - so - photo one - gas in Cave Junction, OR, Photo two - RICE HILL! LOL

We are in ALASKA!

I'm not having luck finding connections. I had thought I'd simply skip the entries I've written....afterall most our family KNOWS what we are doing and who else would want to read daily trip updates???? But I've been told that some want too....so eventually....when I have a good connection long enough to upload photos, I'll upload those entires.

Mike and the boys are buying fishing licences. We're at the BX and this is a FREE HOT SPOT now! Yippee!

Alaska is magical! Our apartment is....um...interesting. It's next to the Hell's Angel Motorcycle association clubhouse. ::snort::

Let me see if I can upload some entries.

We're ALIVE!

I've got entries but will need to find free wi fi before I update. Our RV Park has it "available" for $7 a day - not happening. BUT we were out driving and found a connection - thank you to The Normans - whoever they may be.

Convention has begun. The flu hit the last two children yesterday. I think we're on the road to health and fun again.

I CAN check email at the Park so feel free to email. ::snort::

Now, gotta see if I can find some waypoint for a geocache or two.

Day 9 - Crescent City - Golden Celebration - June 23, 2007

We got up at 7 and headed to town. We helped Rebecca set up, decorate, and fix food for the folks' anniversary reception. Mom T came and helped us set up too - thanks Mom!

Check out Rebecca's ingenious "cooler". There's a sheet of insulation board under the boat. The boat is filled with ice and meat/cheese platters. More ice on top. Wrapped in plastic and there was another sheet of insulation on top. Worked great.

We finished there about 7 p.m. (though I brought the little ones home at 5:30).

We ran over to the folks' and had a last visit with everyone. We plan to leave here for Springfield, OR in the a.m. I have a few photos to finish printing and drop off at G's....and the boys have reported that they forgot to bring the row boat back up to the house...I'm guessing we AREN'T going to get out of here by 9:00 a.m.

Good-byes are hard! We've been blessed to have this time together.

Day 8 - Crescent City, CA - June 22, 2007

Walking the Jetty

Mom T met up with us on the jetty....

Feeding Gulls
Battery Point Lighthouse - love this one. Mom G knew the children who lived here. They would have to row across the harbor and go to school each day.

Sea Salt - mixed with WHAT on the jetty ::snort::
The Warning Sign - on the jetty Hunting for Agates

Mike and the older boys climbed the tetrapods and went to the very end of the jetty.

BBQ at Mom and Dad G's

Mom and Dad T (my parents)

John and Mary K (Mike's oldest sister)
Dad G (Mike's Dad)

Teaching how to use slinkies

Rebecca (Mike's 2nd sis) and Mom G