First Night of Wally-Docking

This is the view that began the day.....I followed Michael to Transwest for Uchi to receive a front end alignment. We also hoped the mechanic could track down an persistent rattle in the front end. All is well. They aligned it and told us the rattle is the generator's  muffler. 

While they worked on Uchi, we took Nimo and drove over to the Post Office.  They were AMAZING. We were a bit leery as this was a walk-in facility...they have it down to a science....we were in and out - with the passport renewal aps on their way - in an hour. They asked when we were traveling and I told them we'd leave the day after the passports arrived. ::snort::  We paid to get them in 2 - 3 weeks. They said we should have them in 7 - 9 days. I pray it's so. 

They're pros

 We knew it would be a short travel day, but Michael was itching to get on the road. We'd really like to be back in OR a couple of days before we fly to Alaska. We hoped to make it at least to ST VRAIN STATE PARK.  I drove off ahead of Michael and Uchi. We took Nimo to Earl and Mary's and picked up Yuuki. We met up down the road and a truck stop and the boys hooked up Nimo to Ucho. 

We hit Denver right at rush hour. 

View from my windshiel

By the time we called it a day, we'd reached the Walmart parking lot in Laramie, WY.  Michael suggested rotisserie chicken and potato salad. I found THIS - it was EXACTLY like the ones we loved in the Japanese bakeries. This prompted us to remember most the bakeries in Japan were "French bakeries."  It was a fun treat, after a long day. 

"Just like Japanese bakeries,"  French Pastry from Walmart

We are coming up on two years of full-timing this summer. This is the FIRST night we tried our hand at Wally-docking or Urbandocking. We've attempted it before, but there were always signs up,  or the managers said no. RV Parky is a great ap to use while traveling. It tells us where nearby campgrounds, RV parks, and urban docking opportunities are. The Walmart in Laramie was marked as one that will let you over-night. We loved it. It was MUCH quieter than a truck stop! Much! There are 5 other RV rigs and about the same of trucks over-nighting. The meal was cheaper and just as tasty. We were able to buy a few things we needed without taking time out of a travel day. We didn't put down the jacks, or push out the slides...this made it possible for Michael to basically get up and turn the key if he couldn't sleep. LOL 

Our first night of Wallydocking

Final Night with Earl and Mary

We started our week buying plane tickets for Michael and I to fly to Alaska. We will fly up next week and attempt to secure a house for ourselves and those participating in the upcoming migration. 

Our favorite bobble head dash dog

 Then, we buttoned up Uchi and headed for Earl and Mary's. Yuuki is our guide! We moochdocked one more night in their driveway. I enjoyed the  lovely view from my windshield.

I LOVED looking out the window as I worked on dinner prep to see Stacia and Alex walking the perimeter of the back acreage. This confirmed for me our decision to take a smaller house with some land, over a mini-mansion in a subdivision. It makes me a bit nervous as we've lived in environments that are fairly uniform these past 22 years....but it's the right choice for us. I'm excited to get up to Alaska and be able to LOOK for the place that will become home.

Stacia and Alex enjoying the space

Michael went to take some things to Earl on the jobsite. Stacia made cookies. I made a roast and roasted a couple of pans of veggies....and we all enjoyed dinner and great conversation  - probably too late into the night.

Yes, if all the Gherkins weren't moving to Alaska, we'd be content to retire in Colorado.

Murphy's Law of RV'ing

For the past six days we've stayed at a dry campground. There is no water at the sites at Buckley AFB Fam Camp....this worked fine for us. They had a hydrant where we filled fill our tanks upon arrival.

Via Google Images

We ran out of water this morning. This is also fine, we don't want a lot of water weight as we drive. However, we discovered Murphy's Law of RV'ing....

Via Google Images

As soon as one knows there is no water to be had in the area, one is instantly both dehydrated and in great need of a restroom. How can you be both at the same time?  😒😓😰 Several of us reported this phenomenon.

Sunday Sightings

Jamin flew in Thursday night. We had Mom G's service and a family reception on Friday. Saturday we said goodbye to kids, and picked up Jamin. We spent the day with friends from Japan.

This morning Michael and I took Jamin to the airport for what was supposed to be an early Spirit flight. The flight was delayed; Jamin did not throw a temper tantrum.

We opted for one more night at Buckley so that we could do laundry, buy groceries - all the details to prepare for our return road trip. I spent three hours doing laundry. As there was no water at our site and we were busy, the laundry had piled up. Did I mention the laundry was FREE at the fam camp?

The younger three kids have passports that expire in 5 years. We finally realized they would NEED them to move to Alaska as we will be driving through Canada.  We hoped the extra day and a half in Denver would allow us to get the renewal applications quickly. We secured passport photos for each child. We were unable to get anything done at the Denver processing center as they require proof of international travel to use their quick turn-around services.

On the way to Walgreens for photos - we saw this. We were excited. Psyche! It was Sunday.

Michael took Nimo to be washed and filled up gas. Stacia and I headed to the BX and the Commissary. We got a new id tag for Yuuki with our current phone numbers on it. As we shopped, I saw a woman I knew I knew.....but we were in Denver. That would be odd. Turns out it was Jeannie - and I knew her from CWOC/PWOC. I recognized her face. She heard my voice and was thinking, "I know that voice." ::snort::  

The disappointment at not having Chick Fil A was eased when I found Siopao at the commissary! I love shopping in commissaries - Asian foods I love. ANYWAY - I fell in love with Siopao in the Philippines and introduced the kids to them in Japan. I've never learned to make them. Steamed buns filled with pork. PORK. I know. I've not had meat in 4 years. I broke the fast. I'm already crawling back onto the wagon....but it was GOOD.

Nothing better than one of these freshly steamed from the Circle K on a blustery, snowy day in Northern Japan. LOL

What Have They Done - Where is Everyone Else

Stacia passed me over to Krista on Friday. I woke up this morning and I've been in a car - driving, driving, driving. There isn't much to see. I saw the sunrise in Arizona. What is Arizona? Where are they taking me?

There seems to be no end of driving and so I am helpfully reading Krista's texts and briefing her on them. I am glad to be of help to Krista as she finishes her M Div.

What? Where am I?

They've taken me through a border crossing. It was a bit touch and go as I couldn't produce my passport. I will take the 5th from here on out on this part of the story.

Gingerbread Man is now at home in Krista's room in Imuris, Mexico. 

You can follow his adventures by clicking the Gingerbread Competition category in the side bar, or try finding us on Facebook at #FamilyFun. As the winners of the 2016 competition, the girls are hosting me this year! 

Visit with Friends

Every time I visit my photo files I see this one still not blogged (and a larger one of the Garden of the Gods). It's time.  As background, this is from a trip in May 2017 - when we were out in Colorado to bury Mom G beside Dad G at the Fort Logan National Cemetery. 

With the funeral behind us, it was time to say goodbye to Gherkins. Krista and Kent headed back to Mexico. CoRielle headed to Oregon. We met Josiah and Jamin for breakfast this morning. Josiah will fly out to Washington today. Jamin will come back to the RV and spend the day with us. He flies to TX tomorrow.

We had plans to visit with the Driskells, friends and chapel attendees from our assignment in  Misawa, Japan. We hadn't accounted for an extra person and suddenly realized we wouldn't all fit in the Jeep. I called Melissa to let them know we'd leave one or two at the RV and the rest would be out. Dave called back and said he was coming to the base to pick us all up, driving us to his home, and would drive us all back! What a blessing.  We hadn't seen the Driskells in over four years. Our first surprise was being greeted at the door by Jaycob (back row, 3rd from Right). He was home visiting and we got to see the entire family.

The meal was yummy, but the best part of all was sitting and recounting God's faithfulness - both in Japan in the years since.  Such good memories from Japan. The feeling of having left a huge part of our hearts in Japan is nearly universal when we meet up. There is a pain - but the memories are sweet.

Me and Melissa

Dave and Michael 

"Kiddos" at their own table

We leave in the morning to head back to Oregon. We'll be there at least until Mom is done with cancer treatment.  This trip has been filled with getting to reconnect with dear friends....just the salve our grieving souls needed.

Why did it take me 10 months to blog this? Quite possibly I didn't want to let go of the season of reconnecting with wonderful friends and family. 

Bella's Wheels - Prayer Requests

BreZaak and CoRielle have traded in their cars for ones that are able to haul U-Haul trailers up the AlCan! The #GherkinsAlaskanAdventure is getting closer all the time! 

Bella wasn't sure about the new wheels - but she was fully accepting of the new situation by the end of her first ride. 

Bella - 1 year old 

We do appreciate your continued prayers for this migration. LOL

• Safe travels for Michael, me and the younger 3 back to OR from CO
• Michael and I are taking a house-hunting trip to AK on 15 May 
• Josiah and Jamin will getting on the Ferry on 19 May,  then will drive from Haines, AK to Anchorage. 
• Continued finances for all 
• The younger 3 need their passports renewed to travel through Canada - pray they arrive in the predicted 2-3 weeks 
• Job openings for all (Josiah, Jamin, CoRielle, BreZaak)
• Timing of our drive up the AlCan
• Continued health for Bre and Gideon
• Continued health for all 
• Future ministry in AK