#WYFF - Always on a Friday

We break down in some of the most beautiful spots! Wouldn't you agree? We left Valley of the Rogue at 0600 as we wanted to be sure to hit Beale in time to pick up meds and shop. We were making amazing time. By 0900 we were at the top of the pass going over Shasta Reservoir. Michael and I both heard a noise - sort of like a card in the spokes of a bike. He checked the engine and saw nothing.

During  the walk around, however, Nolan noted one of the trailer tires was bulging. This was a good time to change it. We were thankful for the odd noise which prevented a tire blow out.

Michael  started up the van again and we got the familiar engine code. Remember, the spark plug that blew a month ago? O.K. this spark plug problem is a known issue for Ford V10 - Triton engines. When I said a month ago that a spark plug blew many of you questioned that I knew what I was talking about. Here's a quick Google Search.  I'm not loving our Ford so much these days!

USAA sent a tow truck out for us again. This time we had to be towed 22 miles - into Redding, CA. He towed both the van and the Caboose. Whew.  We all expected another spark plug had blown - it would be another $200 and we joked this meant only 8 more  could possibly blow.

IT WAS THE SAME SPARK PLUG... the heads had to be pulled. The spark plug holes will have to be bored out and new sleeves installed. All 10 will be fixed and this should not be an issue for us again. They'll have to reinstall it with a new head gasket. All told, it will be another $3500+, add that to Wednesday's tie rod assembly repair of $500, and this is a costliest week of full-timing to date.

They originally told us it would be Tuesday closing before they could get the van back to us. I didn't hide my dismay - I wasn't rude. I simply said, "We're supposed to be in TX on Tuesday." As they kept talking and I did the math of the trip.....I mentioned, "We're going to miss graduation. We'll be there for the wedding."  The receptionist asked us questions, while TWO mechanics both tore into the van to see if they could get the heads to the machine shop today.  I explained  our son was graduating in TX on the 14th and  I didn't see how we could drive from CA to TX in 3 days. I told them Michael was officiating at the wedding.

She called the machine shop and they told her they couldn't get to it until Wed. She explained she wanted it done ASAP. More back and forth and then she said, "Tell him, the guys have it out and are bringing it over. Freeze the other work you have for us and get this done first!" They said they'll have it back in the shop by Monday at noon, and then the guys will need to install it into our van.  They're pushing to be done by closing on Monday.

This is big - Krista is flying in on Wed - the 12th. We won't be there. We have hair appointments Tuesday, the 11th. We won't be there. We needed to go shopping. AND we are in the midst of plans for shopping and cooking with Team A for the rehearsal dinner....We are praying we can get out of here on the 10th and make it  by the evening of the  13th. Graduation/Rehearsal is the 14th.  We are considering leaving Monday night and stopping to sleep as needed..... We are considering dropping the trailer in Beale and just driving and staying in hotels.  The problem is this is our last trip before we are stationary again for an undetermined amount of time....through our extended stay at Beale we planned to visit friends in TX after the wedding and then go to the Grand Canyon....if we drop the trailer, we will come directly back after the wedding - can't afford 2 hotel rooms for 30 days. ::snort::  Giving up the trip that kept us positive through 5 months at Beale Fam Camp - and the upcoming settling down in CA....well....it's just something we'd rather not to do the kids.

We thought we would use the time wisely, rent a car this weekend, and find a hair salon and mall - get those errands done here in Redding - would you believe we can't find ONE car to rent?

We ARE in a Premier RV Resort - and I find it funny we always break down next to the expensive RV parks, rather than the $20 a night spots. LOL  There is a great pool here; but it was thundering this afternoon.  The owner of the repair shop towed the trailer and us to the park.

I also need to call the spots we have reservations along the way and cancel or move them.....but who knows when we'll be where....thinking truck stops, rest areas and parking lots will be our best bet for this trip.....oh! We also have that bulging tire we'd love to get fixed while were grounded....we do have two bikes...but Les Schwab is a long ways away.

That's pretty much the BOO - now here are some Yays!

• We safely got off the road - on a narrow pass! 
• We had planned to arrive in TX 4 days before the graduation/rehearsal - we may make it on time even with the delay. 
• The repair shop is amazing and have gone beyond the norm to care for us
• Premier RV Resort bent over backwards to move people around and find us a spot until Wed. 
• Brenner picked up our meds and will take them to Fam Camp
• Janey will look out for our meds, cancelled our reservation at Beale, and will hold our meds and mail for us until we drive through
• Our tow truck driver was an interesting man with stories from owning two race car tracks and three race cars....he was preparing to tow a class A and a semi hit the Class A - hurt his back....if you have to be towed for 20+ miles it helps to have interesting conversation
• There was a yummy Mexican diner within walking distance of the repair shop
• Netflix in the waiting room of the repair shop
• I cooked chicken last night so it was easy to throw together one of everyone's favorite meals at the end of the day - Chicken Divan. 

We appreciate your prayers for a quick return of our van, for a way to get out of the park and get our errands done, and for wisdom in how to proceed on this trip.....for now I want to sleep.


#WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above. 

Texas or Bust

Need I say more? What a sweetie. Three weeks old and charming us all with her smiles. It's a good day when you get to see BreZaak and Bella....we filled up on snuggles and sweet words and then said goodbye.

Today we began our trip down to Texas.....Graduation in 9 days, wedding in 10 days!  Woot!!!!!

Arielle took a couple of finals and came home. She seems to be having withdrawals....always wondering what paper needs to be done, what final she should be studying for or which job she needs to be rushing to - but she's DONE with her first year of college. Way to go Arielle! Worked three jobs, earned a 4. (or close after finals), and found time to date Cory. ::wink::  She'll travel down to TX with us and fly back on the 17th - this will give her nearly two weeks to truly relax.....She's earned it!

We are spending the night at Valley of the Rogue state park. It's a lovely spot to overnight.  We enjoy state parks so much better than RV Parks - sigh. I remembered to get meat out to thaw so we could cook when we arrived! SCORE. Dinner outside was nice.....

Poor Yuuki had to be put inside. She started straining and howling....seems she didn't like our dinner guest....

Arielle felt this may be too much nature. LOL 

The kids took a nice walk along the river after dinner. In prep of an early start tomorrow,  they've headed to the showers. Michael and I sat and talked, while watching nature and the lovely Rogue River. I got the chicken cooked so I can easily assemble Chicken Divan when we stop tomorrow night at Beale AFB Fam Camp.....our old stomping grounds.  

We're heading to Texas! 

Plot Twist

Sometimes on journey's one takes detours.

We've learned on life's journeys there are often surprise detours - which we've come to call plot twists.  We are not in Japan, we ARE making the most of travel and family time.

This week we had a plot twist....Mom G's doc wanted to meet with family. We rearranged our Oregon/Texas travel plans and Michael and I made a quick detour to Crescent City. The kids stayed in Eugene and had a great time with their sisters.

We had a wonderful visit - and Mom G encouraged us to take a walk. We walked down to Stout Grove in Jedediah Smith Redwood Park.

Can you make out the cable in the right/top of photo? 

Old Cable car across the river

 As we talked with each other and then with the doctor, we hit upon the idea  it would be beneficial to Mom G if we take a detour from our traveling plans and spend time here with her. We will help to take care of her home, help her complete multitudes of unfinished "projects,"  and hope to set in place in-home help for her for when it is time for us to travel again. We were able to secure a spot in the nearest RV park (3 miles) through the rest of this year to be used as needed.

Somehow, walking amongst these giant Redwoods helps to put life into perspective.  

Yes, we're a bit sad to curtail our exploration of new areas....but there are  a lot of great things about being in the area with Mom G.

• We get the time to record Mom G's stories
• We will have a summer and fall on the Smith River
• The Pacific Ocean is 10 miles away
• We love to volunteer
• Stacia has been saying for months she wanted to spend her birthday with Grandma G as she hasn't done that before. We had summer employment plans which have made this impossible. She will get to spend her birthday with Grandma Mary.
• We'll get to visit with Dave and Hope
• We'll have the opportunity to meet people in the community
• Walks in the Redwoods are always good
• There are a zillion of hikes we've wanted to take in the area - but we're always passing through

Yes, still playing the boo/yay game. ::snort:: 

Million Dollar Smile

Look at that girl smile! Bella is 2 weeks and 6 days old!  How quickly she's become a vital and charming part of the family.  She made her debut and BreZaak's church yesterday.

Aren't these darling morning smiles? Maybe Granna finally has an early rising partner.......

Sunday Transitions

Today is a moving day! We aren't moving far - from our RV park on the outskirts of Eugene to Krista's driveway.   We attended at 0830 church service and were able to make it home, pack up, and check out by 1100.

Arielle and Cory picked up some pizzas and we enjoyed a visit before Arielle headed to work and Cory to more finals prep. Cory  was selected to go on a mission trip with our denomination to Papua, New Guinea. A trip which falls during finals week.

Krista came home about the time Arielle had to leave.

Michael has sharpened his editorial skills this month....he's edited 4 graduate and 3 under-graduate papers while we've been here. It's amazing to watch both the girls juggle so much - and then we remember there was a day when we did the same. ::snort:: Glad that day is not now. In any event, Krista had some corrections to make to her  paper and then was able to chat a bit.

Michael and Krista left for Krista's soccer game. The kids and I played a game of Dominion, and finished laundry, while we waited for Mom, Dad and Lorri. Sunday night - it's  a tradition - almost our own personal Sabbath - we welcome the new week with something sweet...worship and ice cream. Michael began this tradition years and years ago - when Bre was little.

Eventually, we all gathered around the table.  Here is something we worked on...Krista made this for Christmas. She anticipated Isabella's birth. NOW it's time to add Larissa....we worked and worked to find a way to do that which wouldn't break Scrabble rules. Larissa, helpfully shared her nickname Riss with us....we may go with that off the "S" in Josiah.

Bocce, Basketball, and Bella

We headed across to Springfield so Stacia and Harmony could have some cousin time. Stacia loves any time she can steal way to spend with Harmony.  We had Yuuki with us and Yuuki seems to think it's wise  to antagonize their big dogs (Lab and Pit Bull)....so we opted to take our lunch to a local park. This park was directly down the street from the home we lived in from the time I was in 4th grade - 9th grade.

What? It's Bocce. See the green ball - it's mine. It's closest to the white ball. Score. LOL 

Mom and Dad joined us. Dad took my spot and I enjoyed a visit in the sun with Mom. 

School in the background is the one I went to for 5th/6th grade

Go, Dad!

 I spent countless hours in this tree, reading. This is also the park where Michael and I sat and talked on 31 Dec 1983 and he suggested we take a semester off from college and get married on 14 Feb 1984. Six week later, we did. LOL 

We didn't take any photos, but we snatched a bit more time with Cory. Basketball, visiting....he's on his way to Papua, New Guinea.

The busy day ended with a wonderful meal and visit with BreZaak and Bella. 

#WYFF - Duck Spring Game

We do all sorts of fun things all week long - and come #WYFF  we're inevitably doing laundry. Well.....I decided we did so much on Saturday that I'll just label this #WYFFS (Where's Your Feet Saturday). 

We met Krista at Valley River Center and took the shuttle over to Autzen stadium. We're big Duck fans and this was a special treat. We watched the spring game....a chance to see all the new players.

Alex, Nolan, Krista, Stacia, Michael 

Happy, happy, happy fans! 

There were quite a few tributes to the military...the only thing missing was a fly over by the Thunderbirds. ::snort:: In the photo below members of the UofO ROTC had marched out and unfurled a giant flag...while patriotic music played.

Since Oregon was playing Oregon - we left with 2 min left so we could be some of the first on the shuttles back to the malls. 

The weather was gorgeous - it was a perfect was to spend a Saturday morning. 

#WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above.