The TRUTH About RV Sites

Many envision the full-time life to be one of constant moving and beautiful sites in nature......and that has been the case, at times.  We tend to focus on the positives, and beautiful sites are a POSITIVE, but I also try to present a realistic view of our life - be that homeschooling, chaplains family, military life and now full-time RVing.

We've stayed in some great spots......spots we'd like to visit again. 

Beale Fam Camp 

Armitage Park - Eugene, OR 

Shoreline RV Park - Crescent City, CA - that's the OCEAN out our windshield

St Vrain CO State Park 

Buckley Fam Camp 

Massacre Rock ID State Park 

Ollalie - USFS campground

These are the types of places one dreams of when they consider RVing full-time. We've loved it. Unfortunately, most of these places have time limits. That's great if you are a full-timer who moves alot.  When moving we've stayed in friend's driveways, we've boondocked, urban docked and mooch docked around on each trip - always with express permission. We have NEVER been like the 11 parked around the Eugene Wal-mart. 😏

Neighbor's Crescent City

Truck Stops 

Wal-mart

Churches 

 Some sites we paid for were terrible - like the KOA in Rock Springs, WY that was little more than a mud hole.  It was ONE night and hardly an issue......but these spots do happen in a full-timer's life. 

We planned on being the type of full-timer who moved every 2 - 4 weeks. Due to our health issues, family situations and Mom's cancer,  we have had extended stays at Beale Fam Camp, a park in Crescent City, CA and most recently 7 months in Eugene, OR.  Since most of the beautiful state and USFS parks won't allow you to stay more than 14 days a month.....and the best rates for RV parks are monthly....we ended up paying monthly.....and living where our neighbors are VERY close to us......though one can walk across the campground and see some beautiful nature.

Maybe now you understand a bit more of why Michael wanted SPACE when we began to look for a home in Alaska. 😊

We ARE going to miss being full-timers!  We probably have a month or less left to claim the designation. It's been a great two years.  We plan on taking extended trips in the future.....the kids can watch the house. 😛😮😜

Mr. Gingerbread Man in Mexico.

Krista posted this on her blog before she left Mexico. I'm just getting it cross-posted. 

My family enjoys a gingerbread competition on New Years Eve and the winner this year received the honor of hosting Mr. Gingerbread Man. He was passed off to me in Colorado, so he could come enjoy Mexico for a bit.

At first Mr. Gingerbread was not thrilled, he was complaining that I lied about Mexico being sunny and lots of children for him to befriend. It was rather sad  the first three days were stormy and I had finals; I was a bad host and didn't introduce him to people.

However, the last week and a half have been what I promised and he has made many great friends and been enjoying some sunshine.

To read more of Mr. Gingerbread Man's adventures  click the "Gingerbread Competition" in the side bar labels. 

One Day and a Wake Up

It was great to have mom back at church today. 💓😊💓

We left early to meet CoRielle at Mom and Dad's. They brought over her very heavy dresser from Japan. We will spend tomorrow packing the remaining things into the trailer.

Our next stop was St Vinnies. They ARE open on Sundays. We purchased seven or eight blankets to use in wrapping furniture.

Will and Sherri had Harmony for the afternoon. We were glad this had worked out and went over for lunch so the girls could get in some cousin time before our move. They had a great time, we enjoyed visiting with Will and Sherri. Mom and Dad joined us for dessert and more visiting.

Gracie was a hoot. She LOVES playing catch. I've never seen a dog play catch with herself.

We sat about an hour - maybe a little less - in the hot tub here at the park. Interesting visits with a couple of fellow retiree types. 😊 I think it really did help both Michael and I with our aches and pains from all the loading. 😏

Josiah called and the boys are back in Eagle River after their big hike. 

One day and a wake up - unless we don't get it all done and leave a day later.😛💥😄

Gideon Comes Home!

We are praising God that Gideon is HOME with his family today; just two weeks after his adventurous birth. Shew - has it only been two weeks????? We had been told to expect longer - we are thankful. 💓😍💓

Izzak and Bella went to spring Gideon from the NICU. 

Gideon had to prove he could sit for an hour and a half in his car seat whilst still breathing. He passed! 

Bella explains the wonders of car seats to Gideon 

Then there were two in the backseat

Bella loves having a travel partner

Home at last! 

PACKING THE TRAILER

Our goal today was to pack the trailer - without the boys.💪 We had stored three years of school books with Mom and Dad when we began RVing. This allowed us to stop in and swap books every few months. It also allowed us to stay out more than one year without worrying about buying school books. 📚

We gave our elliptical to Mom a few years ago when we downsized. She gave it back today. We sure need it. 😋 We also had toys, collections,  and such the kids couldn't part with 2 years ago; that they eventually realized they didn't need in the RV....and some stuff for Arielle and Krista in the attic....we quickly realized we'd be able to get it all in and have space..... We called BreZaak and CoRielle to let them know we could take a few  things for them, if they had anything ready to go. 

We found six of these suitcases from our days of international travel.....EVERY BODY KNOWS you CANNOT put six big suitcases into a trailer empty. They wouldn't stack inside each other and we'd already used all our stuffing sort of things repacking school tubs.....Mom took three of them and filled them with things she wanted to have us take up. It will be like Christmas to unpack  and see what ended up in Alaska.

Perhaps some instruction on elliptical use is in order? 😀

 Mom was worn out from packing - when I realized we could send the suitcases to one of the kids and have them pack clothes or such for us to take. BreZaak seemed the perfect choice as we know they'll have clothes Bella has outgrown, or clothes for Gideon to grow into, that can go now. 

And THEN, we remembered the electric piano we had purchased in Japan!!!! I'm not sure how it slipped our minds. BreZaak have been storing it. Dad and Michael went across to retrieve it. We doubt their BBQ will fit in now.....we decided it would be a good time to call it a night - I didn't want to go up in the attic again for the furniture from the girls (coffee tables and end tables), Michael is at the point where he needs all the furniture so he can carefully pack the remaining space.  Lots of room left...but lots of bulks furniture left....an antique settee set from Mom, an elliptical, coffee tables, end tables (given to the girls from Mom G), Arielle's dresser (purchased in Japan), the piano....

We took a packing break to drive Lorri to the train station. She'll visit family in WA and then head on to Palm Springs - a birthday trip from her sister! It was odd saying goodbye, knowing we won't be here when she gets back.

I teared up having ice cream with Mom and Dad and just us three.  I realized it's most likely the last time we'll have ice cream together - you know that "weekly treat" - while we are here.

Michael suggested we play one round of Farkle. It was much quieter and quicker without the boys and Lorri here. Stacia won!

Krista at COT - Happy Birthday

Krista sent some photos. She didn't say a word. 

Krista - 2nd Row, center,short blond hair

I noticed the gentlemen in the front holding a trophy and asked what it was for. Seems their flight (group of 12) won the "Athletic Flight" of the squadron (bigger number of students) AND Athletic Flight of the entire CLASS of COT (Commissioned Officer Training).  

Krista is front row, 2nd from the left

Note the cute shoes! 

 Krista doesn't know why this photo was take - PA requested it. 

Three weeks until COT graduation. Continued prayers for rest, for her and her roommate, as she battles her cough are appreciated.

Happy Birthday, Krista. I believe this is a birthday you will long remember!

The One Where We Question our Plans

Josiah's Alaskan car

These guys are EXCITED to begin their four day Epic Alaskan Hike. We look forward to the stories. Check out Josiah's new Alaskan car! I like it.  I also can't help noting Josiah and Jamin are sporting beards already. 

Jared, Jamin, Nolan, Alex and Josiah - The Gherkin Men - Minus Michael 

We got new tires on the trailer today. Michael and Izaak took the wheels apart and looked at bearings or some such thing.... it was greasy. 😏😋😉 It was a blessing for Michael to have Izaak's help today. They also finished a project Michael had begun for Mom and Dad.

Izaak, Michael, Dad

Michael ducked out for "an hour" to take care of a bit of estate business which needs to be done before we leave town.  He came home 4.5 hours later. Successful!

Bre spent the day with Gideon. She has a ton of videos to watch from the hospital and now that Gideon has no feeding tube, he is feeding on demand. What a great day for her to get with Gideon.

We played with Bella. Bella and I got two walks in today - the weather is stunning - beautiful.

Someone loves to tease! 

 Stacia was surprised to see how artichokes grow so big. This led to googling to see if we can attempt to grow them in the Matsu Valley. 

Bella - ever the clown! 

Mom took a nap, Stacia watched Bella, the men continued working and Lorri and I stole away for a bit of cousin time. I've dearly loved this season of getting to spend time with a real, live COUSIN. This didn't happen in our missionary lifestyle. Lorri leaves tomorrow and we will be gone when she gets back.... I don't want to think about it. So, I won't. 😜 Tonight.

We enjoyed dinner....Michael and Izaak kept working. We got home at 10 p.m. It was a long day....we are at 3 days and a wake up before our trip commences! We have much to do.

Michael would like to start loading the trailer tomorrow.....and now we realize the flaw in the plan to get things loaded and pick the boys up on the way through Portland.....we will SORELY (pun intended) miss the boys as we pull things from the attic and load the trailer. I have HUGE TUBS of school books!  We have started wondering if we should go get the boys, spend a day packing, and postpone starting out for four days.

Stay tuned! Who knows......😏